Apprenticeship · NAPS
NAPS apprenticeship for employers — eligibility, stipend and how the scheme works
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) is the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship's scheme for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Establishments engage apprentices at no less than the notified minimum stipend; under NAPS-2 the government pays 25% of the stipend — up to ₹1,500 per apprentice per month — directly to the apprentice by direct benefit transfer (DBT), and the establishment pays the rest.
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Who has to engage apprentices
Under the Apprentices Act, an establishment's apprentices should number between 2.5% and 15% of its total workforce, with contract workers counted in that total. Engagement is mandatory for establishments with 30 or more workers and optional for smaller establishments.
On 3 September 2025 the Ministry replaced the older schedule of industries with a NIC-2008-based coverage list (notification S.O. 4072(E)), which brings more sectors — including services such as IT, retail and healthcare — within the Act. Check your establishment's classification before assuming you are outside it.
Minimum stipend
Minimum monthly stipend is set by the apprentice's qualification under the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025, published on 11 September 2025. The Rules also provide increases in the second and third year of training. Employers may pay more.
| Apprentice qualification | Minimum stipend per month |
|---|---|
| Class 5 to Class 9 pass | ₹6,800 |
| Class 10 pass | ₹8,200 |
| Class 12 pass, National/State Certificate or ITI | ₹9,600 |
| Diploma holder (any stream) | ₹10,900 |
| Graduate / degree apprentice | ₹12,300 |
How the government share is paid
Under the NAPS-2 guidelines, the establishment pays its part of the stipend to the apprentice and records the payment on the apprenticeship portal. The government's share — 25% of the stipend, capped at ₹1,500 per apprentice per month — is then credited directly to the apprentice's bank account through DBT. Together the two payments must add up to at least the minimum stipend; the government share is not paid to the establishment.
The process, step by step
- Register the establishment on the apprenticeship portal and list the trades or roles you will train in.
- Publish apprenticeship opportunities and select candidates.
- Sign the apprenticeship contract and submit it on the portal for approval.
- Run the training period: attendance and basic training where required.
- Pay your share of the stipend each month and record it on the portal so the government's DBT share is released to the apprentice.
- Complete the training and assessment; retain good apprentices as employees if you wish.
How JobMyIndia helps you run NAPS
- Apprentice records kept separate from employees, with trade, contract dates and training status.
- A NAPS-format stipend sheet generated from apprentices' attendance-based pay, kept separate from the salary register.
- A NAPS dashboard and compliance view showing apprentice strength against your workforce band.
- Extension, completion and conversion to a regular employee when the term ends.
- Exports for your records and CSR reporting.
- Our apprenticeship team can source candidates and manage the lifecycle for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is an apprentice an employee for PF and ESIC?
Apprentices engaged under the Apprentices Act are trainees, not workers, and are generally outside PF and ESIC coverage. Confirm the treatment for your establishment with your compliance adviser.
What is the difference between NAPS and NATS?
NAPS is run by the Ministry of Skill Development and covers trade and optional-trade apprentices including ITI and school-pass candidates. NATS is run by the Ministry of Education for graduate, diploma and vocational apprentices. See NATS.