Apprenticeship training (Image for representation)
New Delhi: India’s apprenticeship training has been put on fast track, in line with the government’s vision for skilled manpower, with sweeping reforms in 2025-26 including enhanced stipend under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) while decriminalizing minor offences, resulting in 50% surge in registrations for on-the-job skills training.
Official data seen by ET shows registration of apprentices under NAPS stood at an all time high of 3.06 million in FY’26 compared to 2.05 million in FY’25, an increase of 49.3%.
Highest registration of candidates for apprenticeship was in Maharashtra (1.64 million) followed by Uttar Pradesh (1.37 million), Gujarat (0.79 million), Tamil Nadu (0.60 million) and Haryana (0.49 million).
Defying the perception that big enterprises engage more apprentices, data shows the highest number of establishments in the small enterprise category are registered under the scheme for apprenticeship training constituting one-fourth or 25.35% of the total pie followed by medium enterprises (19.86%), others (8.25%), micro enterprises (8.14%) and large enterprises (7.1%).
As per the government data, sectors which attracted the highest number of apprentices include automotive (1 million), IT-ITeS (0.48 million), electronics (0.43 million), retail (0.40 million) and production and manufacturing (0.37 million).
Data shows the private sector has taken a lead in registering under the scheme and imparting apprenticeship in the country with central and state governments playing a minor role.
Over 4.3 million private sector establishments have registered under the scheme out of which 0.24 million are actively involved. This is significant compared to just 23,214 state governments and 4,444 central government establishments actively involved in apprenticeship training.
The ministry of skills development and entrepreneurship, which administers the implementation of NAPS, had in September 2025 enhanced the stipend under the scheme to Rs 12,300 from Rs 6,800 per month while introducing reforms such as promoting degree apprenticeships, remote or virtual apprenticeships training, expanding regional boards, wider coverage of industries and ensuring inclusivity for persons with benchmark disabilities.
For employers, the amendments to the Apprentices Act meant a trust-based, facilitative compliance framework to encourage more establishments to engage in apprenticeship training. Further, it replaced fines with penalties, reduced litigation and lowered the compliance burden on employers.
Official data seen by ET shows registration of apprentices under NAPS stood at an all time high of 3.06 million in FY’26 compared to 2.05 million in FY’25, an increase of 49.3%.
Highest registration of candidates for apprenticeship was in Maharashtra (1.64 million) followed by Uttar Pradesh (1.37 million), Gujarat (0.79 million), Tamil Nadu (0.60 million) and Haryana (0.49 million).
Defying the perception that big enterprises engage more apprentices, data shows the highest number of establishments in the small enterprise category are registered under the scheme for apprenticeship training constituting one-fourth or 25.35% of the total pie followed by medium enterprises (19.86%), others (8.25%), micro enterprises (8.14%) and large enterprises (7.1%).
As per the government data, sectors which attracted the highest number of apprentices include automotive (1 million), IT-ITeS (0.48 million), electronics (0.43 million), retail (0.40 million) and production and manufacturing (0.37 million).
Data shows the private sector has taken a lead in registering under the scheme and imparting apprenticeship in the country with central and state governments playing a minor role.
Over 4.3 million private sector establishments have registered under the scheme out of which 0.24 million are actively involved. This is significant compared to just 23,214 state governments and 4,444 central government establishments actively involved in apprenticeship training.
The ministry of skills development and entrepreneurship, which administers the implementation of NAPS, had in September 2025 enhanced the stipend under the scheme to Rs 12,300 from Rs 6,800 per month while introducing reforms such as promoting degree apprenticeships, remote or virtual apprenticeships training, expanding regional boards, wider coverage of industries and ensuring inclusivity for persons with benchmark disabilities.
For employers, the amendments to the Apprentices Act meant a trust-based, facilitative compliance framework to encourage more establishments to engage in apprenticeship training. Further, it replaced fines with penalties, reduced litigation and lowered the compliance burden on employers.