More than 41 Lakh apprentices engaged under PM – National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, Zonal Review Meetings to further encourage Industry Participation and Engagement of Apprentices

Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) marked a significant milestone in advancing India’s apprenticeship ecosystem with the successful conclusion of a Zonal Review Meeting of the Eastern and Southern states under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2). Hosted at the World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar, the strategic workshop brought together key stakeholders from across 18 States and Union Territories to assess progress, address challenges, and chart a roadmap for achieving the target of engaging 46 lakh apprentices by March 2026.

During his address, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship said, “The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme is not just a program—it is a transformative journey toward building an industry-ready workforce that aligns with India’s growth aspirations. Over the years, we have witnessed remarkable progress, from tripling apprenticeship engagement to fostering inclusivity with a significant rise in women’s participation. As we adapt to emerging industry trends like Artificial Intelligence and Electric Vehicle mechanics, our focus remains on creating a robust, streamlined ecosystem that empowers youth with globally relevant skills. Through collaborative efforts with states, industries, and MSMEs, and leveraging technology, we are committed to making apprenticeship training aspirational and impactful for millions of young Indians.”

The theme of the meeting, “Apprenticeship Training for an Industry-Ready Workforce,” underscored the critical role of apprenticeship in bridging the gap between education and employability. Engaging and insightful presentations were made by States and by Toyota Kirloskar, Tata Group and Bharat Electronics Limited. Since its inception, NAPS has engaged over 41.2 lakh apprentices nationwide, with 26 lakh apprentices trained under NAPS-2 alone. The scheme has also made strides in financial inclusion, disbursing ₹1,550 crore as stipend support through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring transparency and efficiency in payments directly to apprentices’ accounts.

The review sessions highlighted remarkable achievements across both zones. In the Southern Zone, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana emerged as leaders in apprenticeship engagement, collectively accounting for over 8 lakh apprentices. Similarly, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha demonstrated robust participation in the Eastern Zone, contributing significantly to regional workforce development. Notably, female participation in apprenticeships has seen a steady rise, reflecting efforts to make skill development more inclusive and accessible to women and disadvantaged communities.

Discussions during the meetings delved into critical aspects such as increasing apprenticeship opportunities in underserved regions like the North-east, addressing gaps in stipend disbursement via DBT, and enhancing industry participation—particularly among MSMEs that currently constitute 38% of active establishments under NAPS. Stakeholders also explored strategies to strengthen governance structures through State Implementation Review Committees (SIRC) and State Apprenticeship Councils (SAC), while promoting innovative initiatives like the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Program (AEDP) to integrate education with skill development seamlessly.

The MSDE reaffirmed its commitment to scaling up apprenticeship engagement nationwide by leveraging platforms such as PMNAM (Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas) and targeted awareness workshops. With over 4,988 melas organized since June 2022 and 219 workshops conducted across India’s States and UTs, these initiatives have played a pivotal role in connecting youth with industry opportunities while fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

As the Eastern and Southern Zonal Review Meetings concluded on a high note, participants outlined actionable recommendations to enhance program implementation further. These included expanding outreach efforts to rural areas and disadvantaged groups, strengthening monitoring mechanisms for quality assurance, and fostering partnerships with educational institutions to ensure a seamless transition from academics to industry-ready skills.

The deliberations underscored India’s vision of creating an inclusive and dynamic apprenticeship ecosystem aligned with global standards under the Skill India Mission. By addressing challenges head-on and leveraging collective insights from stakeholders, NAPS-2 continues to pave the way for empowering India’s youth with skills that meet evolving industry demands while contributing to the nation’s economic growth story.