National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2)
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship · Central government
MSDE's Central Sector Scheme funds establishments that engage apprentices and gives apprentices partial stipend support.
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. NAPS-2 carries this effort forward, with the goal of expanding apprenticeship training across India. It does so by covering part of the stipend for apprentices engaged under the Apprentice Act, 1961, giving financial incentives to establishments, strengthening capacity in the apprenticeship ecosystem, and offering advocacy support to stakeholders. By simplifying apprenticeship engagement processes, the scheme also aims to improve ease of doing business.
NAPS-2 is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Central Government, and functions as a sub-component of the larger "Skill India Programme." MSDE handles its overall regulation, management, and monitoring. Its main objectives are to build a skilled workforce through on-the-job experiential training; to draw establishments — especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and those in underserved areas such as aspirational districts and the North-East Region — into enrolling apprentices by sharing stipend costs; and to offer up-skilling opportunities to candidates who have completed Central and State Government skill training initiatives.
From FY2022-23 to FY2025-26, the scheme expects to train 46 lakh apprentices. It also seeks to improve their conversion into employment through quick registration on the National Career Service (NCS) portal, and to increase apprenticeship engagement in the infrastructure sector through platforms such as Gati Shakti. Upgrading existing informal economy apprenticeship systems through innovative models, with a focus on craftsmen, artisans, and traditional skills, forms another part of NAPS-2.
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 age: 14 years; for designated trades in hazardous industries, 18 years, in accordance with Section 3(a) of the Apprentices Act, 1961. - For Government partial stipend support, the apprentice must be no older than 35 years at the time of registration. - Establishments may issue a contract only to candidates who have updated their 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 at https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/. 2. Select "Login/Register" and choose the role that applies to you — Candidate, Establishment, or Third Party Aggregator. 3. Sign up by providing your mobile number and email ID. 4. Candidates must then finish registration by submitting their Aadhaar number and completing e-KYC. This step is essential for direct benefit transfer. 5. Every candidate has to authenticate via mobile OTP in order to finalise registration and gain secure access to the portal. 6. Once candidates have completed registration, establishments can issue apprenticeship contracts to those who are eligible.
How applications are assessed
The scheme guidelines do not set out a distinct selection procedure for establishments; instead, the financial incentives on offer serve to draw them in. Apprentices are engaged directly by the establishment, and the process requires the candidate to register on the apprenticeship portal, complete e-KYC, and obtain a contract from the establishment. Stipend support from the government then follows for eligible apprentices taken on through this route.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main objective of NAPS-2?
NAPS-2 promotes apprenticeship training throughout India by giving establishments financial incentives and apprentices partial stipend support, while also strengthening the apprenticeship ecosystem. Its aims are to build a skilled workforce and simplify business processes.
Who receives the stipend support from the Government?
The Government of India provides stipend support of up to ₹1,500 per month per apprentice, credited straight into the apprentice's bank account through DBT via PFMS, which lowers the cost burden on the engaging establishment.
What is the minimum and maximum age limit for an apprentice under NAPS-2?
An apprentice must be at least 14 years old, or 18 for designated trades in hazardous industries, and no more than 35 years old at the time of registration to qualify for government stipend support.
Which types of establishments are encouraged to participate?
NAPS-2 gives particular encouragement to apprenticeship enrolment in small establishments, including MSMEs, and in underserved areas such as aspirational districts and the North-East Region, though the scheme remains open to all types of establishments.
What are the application requirements for candidates?
Register on the Apprenticeship Portal, add your Aadhaar number and finish e-KYC; every registration requires mobile OTP authentication to verify identity and secure access.
What kind of trades are covered under NAPS-2?
The scheme covers Designated Trades (DT), notified by the Central Government across fields such as engineering and vocational courses, and Optional Trades (OT), which the employer determines according to their specific needs; apprenticeship durations differ for each.
Sectors
- Apprenticeship
- Skill Development
- Msme Support
- Onthejob Training
- Human Capital
- Employment
Details last verified on 16 September 2026. Source: the issuer's published information.