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The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2) rules were published on August 25, 2023 by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. By providing partial stipend assistance to apprentices enrolled under the Apprentice Act of 1961, NAPS-2's main goal is to increase apprenticeship training across the country. The programme also emphasises providing assistance to parties involved and developing the infrastructure of the apprenticeship ecosystem. The ultimate goal is to develop a skilled labour force for the country by prioritising practical, hands-on training. The programme places a special emphasis on encouraging apprentice registrations in smaller businesses, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as in less developed areas like aspirational districts.
The partial stipend support from the Government of India will be directly credited to the apprentice's bank account and is limited to 25% of the stipend provided, or a maximum of INR 1,500 each month. Apprentices must be between the ages of 14 and 35 in order to be eligible for a partial stipend under NAPS-2. Within four years, the programme hopes to register 46 lakh apprentices. According to the NAPS-2 criteria, public sector banks and other central and state government departments would not be eligible for any stipend support under this programme. The official online apprenticeship site must be used for all registration, course creation, opportunity posting, grievance redressal, and other actions related to the apprenticeship lifecycle. The programme will be monitored on three levels: central, state/UT, and regional. NAPS-2 will cease to exist on March 31, 2026.
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