National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme — for ITI, fresher and skill-based apprentices, with 25% stipend reimbursement and DGT compliance handled.
NAPS apprenticeships, paid for partly by the government.
NAPS lets you onboard ITI graduates, fresher trainees and skill-based apprentices under the Apprentices Act. The government reimburses 25% of the prescribed stipend — up to ₹1,500/month per apprentice — paid quarterly. For fresher (trade) apprentices, the government also covers 50% of basic training cost, up to ₹7,500 per apprentice (one-time). Beyond the reimbursement, apprentices under the Apprentices Act are not classified as employees — which means zero PF, zero ESI, zero gratuity, and zero bonus obligation on their stipends. TMS registers your establishment on apprenticeship.gov.in, posts requirements, onboards apprentices, runs stipend payroll and files the reimbursement claim quarter on quarter.
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): eligibility, stipend support and employer benefits
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme is run by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the Directorate General of Training and the NSDC. It is the broad apprenticeship route, covering technical and non-technical roles across almost every sector, with the government contributing to the stipend. For companies hiring at scale, especially MSMEs, NAPS is usually the simplest place to start.
Who you can engage under NAPS
NAPS covers ITI-certified candidates, fresher apprentices and optional-trade candidates across both technical and non-technical work. Sectors range from retail, manufacturing and logistics to hospitality, BFSI and IT-enabled services. Apprenticeship terms run from six months to three years, which gives you room to match the training to the role.
Stipend and government support
The prescribed monthly stipend was revised in 2025 to a band of Rs 6,800 to Rs 12,300, depending on the trade and qualification. Under NAPS-2 the government pays 25% of the prescribed stipend, up to Rs 1,500 per apprentice per month, directly into the apprentice’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer. The employer pays the balance, so the net stipend cost is lower than a comparable regular hire.
Why employers use NAPS
Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961 are not employees, so there is no employer Provident Fund (12%) or ESIC (3.25%) liability on the stipend. NAPS scales easily across non-technical roles, lets you build a steady talent pipeline, and carries no obligation to offer permanent employment at the end. You convert only the apprentices who prove themselves.
How registration works
The establishment registers on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in using its EPFO or ESIC number, posts apprenticeship requirements, engages apprentices, pays the monthly stipend and files claims through the portal. The portal workflow and the monthly compliance are exactly what TMS manages on your behalf.
| Run by | Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (DGT / NSDC) |
| Registration portal | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
| Who it is for | ITI-certified, fresher and optional-trade candidates (technical and non-technical) |
| Duration | 6 months to 36 months |
| Monthly stipend | Rs 6,800 to Rs 12,300 by qualification (revised 2025) |
| Government share | 25% of the stipend, up to Rs 1,500 per month, paid to the apprentice by DBT |
| Employer PF / ESIC | Exempt under the Apprentices Act, 1961 |
Comparing schemes? See NATS vs NAPS or the NATS scheme.
Quick answers
Is NAPS only for ITI candidates?
No. NAPS covers ITI-certified candidates, but also fresher apprentices and optional-trade candidates in both technical and non-technical roles. That breadth is the main reason it suits sectors like retail, logistics and hospitality, not just manufacturing.
How much does the government contribute under NAPS?
Under NAPS-2 the government pays 25% of the prescribed stipend, capped at Rs 1,500 per apprentice per month, directly to the apprentice’s bank account by DBT. The employer pays the rest of the stipend.
How does an employer register for NAPS?
You register the establishment on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in using your EPFO or ESIC number, add the authorised signatory and basic company details, then post requirements and engage apprentices. TMS handles the registration, enrolment and monthly claims so your team does not have to learn the portal.
What TMS handles in NAPS
Apprenticeship portal registration
Your company registered on the national portal with DGT-approved trades and trade-wise apprentice strength.
Apprentice sourcing & onboarding
Requirements posted, candidates shortlisted from ITIs / colleges, contracts signed and registered on the portal.
Monthly stipend payroll
Stipends processed monthly per prescribed minimum, with PT/TDS handled where applicable and statutory deductions tracked.
25% reimbursement claim
Quarterly reimbursement filed via apprenticeship.gov.in for 25% of stipend (capped at ₹1,500/month per apprentice).
Training records
Logbooks, basic training records and on-the-job training reports maintained per DGT format for Apprenticeship Adviser audits.
Completion certification
Certificate of Proficiency filed with NCVT/SCVT for every apprentice on contract completion.
How a NAPS engagement runs
Brief
30-minute call to map roles, eligible trades and target apprentice volume.
Proposal
Scope: registration / sourcing / payroll / reimbursement. Per-apprentice fee. Within 48 hours.
Engagement
Monthly cycle — stipend pay, logbook maintenance, quarterly portal claim. SPOC + senior reviewer.
Completion
Certificate of Proficiency filed; many apprentices convert to permanent or contract staffing roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between NAPS and NATS?
NATS is under the Ministry of Education for engineering / diploma / sandwich-course apprentices. NAPS is under MSDE / DGT for ITI graduates, freshers and skill-based trades.
How much stipend is reimbursed under NAPS?
25% of the prescribed stipend, capped at ₹1,500/month per apprentice, reimbursed quarterly through the apprenticeship portal directly to the employer. For fresher (trade) apprentices, an additional one-time reimbursement of 50% of basic training cost (up to ₹7,500 per apprentice) is available.
Do I need to pay PF, ESI or gratuity on apprentice stipends?
No. Apprentices engaged under the Apprentices Act 1961 are not classified as employees under the EPF Act, ESI Act or Payment of Gratuity Act. There is no PF, ESI, gratuity or bonus obligation on their stipends — this is typically the larger cost saving compared to a regular hire.
What is the minimum / maximum NAPS apprentice duration?
Minimum 6 months, maximum 2 years depending on trade. TMS tracks each apprentice’s tenure and files the Certificate of Proficiency on completion.
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