30% Increase in Stipend for Youth Under NAPS and NATS

#IncreaseStipendforYouth  #NAPSandNATS

Making Apprenticeship Training More Lucrative

Chandigarh: In a landmark move to make apprenticeship more rewarding and aspirational for India’s youth, the 38th Meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), recommends a 30% increase in stipend provided under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS).

The recommendation, which would revise the stipend range from the existing ₹5,000–₹9,000 to ₹6,800–₹12,300, aims to reduce dropout rates and attract more candidates across diverse sectors. Held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, the council reviewed India’s evolving apprenticeship landscape and discussed critical reforms to enhance the outcome.

Stipend revision was a key focus during the discussion, which is proposed to be automatically adjusted biennially based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), aligning with the salary increment cycle in July. This would be done under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and later reported to the Committee under Rule 11 of the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992. The proposal will now be sent to the Cabinet for final approval.

In his keynote address, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said, “Apprenticeship is not just a skilling mechanism—it is a bridge that connects education, industry, and employment, especially for our rural youth. With NAPS and NATS as pillars supported by a strong legal framework, we are actively reforming the system to make it more inclusive, responsive, and aspirational. The introduction of micro-apprenticeships, optional trades, and greater autonomy to higher education institutions under NATS are part of our strategy to scale and deepen impact. Inclusivity is at the core of these programmes, and we have introduced key reforms to strengthen it. Our vision is to ensure every young person, regardless of background, gets a fair shot at a meaningful career through hands-on learning and industry exposure,”

A significant agenda item was the promotion of apprenticeship embedded education programmes, including the introduction of new definitions such as “Degree Apprenticeship,” “Institution,” “UGC,” and “Contractual Staff,” to align educational curricula with on-the-job training requirements.

Additionally, the meeting discussed the creation of Regional Boards at new locations to improve the administration and outreach of the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) and regulate the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP), necessitating the insertion of a new clause in the Apprenticeship Rules.