National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2)
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship · Central government
The MSDE Central Sector Scheme funds establishments for apprentice engagement and provides partial stipend support to apprentices.
Open, rolling. Applications are accepted continuously — there is no deadline.
Key facts
- Subsidy amount
- Not specified
- Instrument
- Subsidy
- Deadline
- Rolling
About this scheme
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) introduced the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) on 19th August 2016. Its successor, NAPS-2, carries forward this effort to expand apprenticeship training across India. The scheme offers partial stipend support to apprentices covered under the Apprentice Act, 1961, provides financial incentives to establishments, strengthens the apprenticeship ecosystem, and extends advocacy support to stakeholders. It also aims to simplify apprenticeship engagement procedures to enhance the ease of doing business.
NAPS-2 functions as a Central Sector Scheme, with 100% funding from the Central Government, and forms a sub-component of the broader "Skill India Programme." MSDE oversees its regulation, management, and monitoring. The scheme’s objectives include building a skilled workforce through on-the-job training, encouraging establishments—especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and those in aspirational districts and the North-East Region—to take on apprentices by sharing stipend costs, and offering up-skilling opportunities to graduates of various Central and State Government skill training programmes. It targets training 46 lakh apprentices between FY2022-23 and FY2025-26, facilitating their transition to employment through rapid registration on the National Career Service (NCS) portal, and promoting apprenticeship uptake in the infrastructure sector via initiatives such as Gati Shakti. NAPS-2 also incorporates innovative approaches to formalise informal economy apprenticeships, with a focus on craftsmen, artisans, and traditional skills.
Who can apply
- Eligible business forms
- Private limited company, Limited liability partnership, One person company, Partnership firm, Sole proprietorship
- Udyam registration
- Not specified
- MSME registration
- Not required
- DPIIT startup recognition
- Not specified
- GST registration
- Not specified
- Where the business may be based
- Not restricted
- Minimum apprentice age: 14 years; 18 years for designated trades in hazardous industries, per Section 3(a) of the Apprentices Act, 1961. - Upper age limit for partial government stipend support: 35 years at registration. - Establishments may issue contracts only to candidates who have updated Aadhaar numbers and completed e-KYC on the apprenticeship portal. - Mobile OTP-based authentication is mandatory for all candidates.
How to apply
1. Go to the official Apprenticeship Portal, accessible at https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/. 2. Select "Login/Register" and choose the relevant role—Candidate, Establishment, or Third Party Aggregator. 3. Register on the portal using your mobile number and email ID. 4. Candidates must finish registration by providing their Aadhaar number and completing e-KYC. This step is necessary for direct benefit transfer. 5. All candidates must undergo mobile OTP-based authentication to complete registration and ensure secure portal access. 6. Establishments may then issue apprenticeship contracts to candidates who have completed their registration.
How applications are assessed
Establishments are not subject to a formal selection procedure under the scheme guidelines; instead, their participation is driven by the financial incentives on offer. Apprentices are engaged directly by establishments, with candidates required to register on the apprenticeship portal, complete e-KYC, and obtain a contract from the establishment. Government stipend support is subsequently extended to eligible apprentices engaged through this framework.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main objective of NAPS-2?
NAPS-2 provides financial incentives to establishments, partial stipend support to apprentices, and strengthens the apprenticeship ecosystem to promote training across India. It also aims to develop a skilled workforce and simplify business processes.
Who receives the stipend support from the Government?
The Government of India transfers a partial stipend of up to ₹1,500 per month per apprentice directly to the apprentice's bank account through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) via PFMS. This mechanism lowers the financial burden on the engaging establishment.
What is the minimum and maximum age limit for an apprentice under NAPS-2?
The minimum age to register as an apprentice is 14 years, or 18 years for designated trades in hazardous industries. The upper age limit to receive government stipend support is 35 years at the time of registration.
Which types of establishments are encouraged to participate?
NAPS-2 prioritises apprentice enrolment in small establishments, including MSMEs and units in underserved areas such as aspirational districts and the North-East Region, while remaining open to all establishment types.
What are the application requirements for candidates?
Candidates must register on the Apprenticeship Portal, update their Aadhaar number, and complete e-KYC. Mobile OTP-based authentication is mandatory for all registrations to verify identity and ensure secure access.
What kind of trades are covered under NAPS-2?
The scheme covers Designated Trades (DT), notified by the Central Government in fields such as engineering and vocational courses, and Optional Trades (OT), which employers define according to their needs. Apprenticeship durations differ for each trade.
Sectors
- Apprenticeship
- Skill Development
- Msme Support
- Onthejob Training
- Human Capital
- Employment
Details last verified on 3 August 2026. Source: the issuer's published information.