NAPS stipends jumped significantly after a 36% increase approved at the 38th Central Apprenticeship Council meeting on May 26, 2025 — yet several guides still circulate older, lower figures. If you’re checking how much you’ll actually earn during apprenticeship training, the current range matters.
NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) — launched August 19, 2016 by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, now running as NAPS-2 since 2022-23, under the Apprentices Act, 1961. It connects candidates — primarily ITI pass-outs, Class 8th/10th/12th completers, diploma holders, and skill-certificate holders — with establishments offering paid, on-the-job training.
Official Portal: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
Quick Answer: Register: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in → Candidate → mobile/email → OTP verify → Aadhaar e-KYC → complete profile → apply to vacancies Current stipend range: ₹6,800 to ₹12,300/month (revised May 2025), varying by qualification level Government contributes: 25% of stipend, capped at ₹1,500/month — establishment pays the remainder Free to register — no fee at any stage
⭐ NAPS vs NATS — Confirm Which One You Need
| NAPS | NATS | |
|---|---|---|
| For | ITI pass-outs, Class 8/10/12 completers, vocational/skill trainees | Engineering graduates, diploma holders, degree holders |
| Ministry | Skill Development & Entrepreneurship | Education |
| Portal | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in | nats.education.gov.in |
If you’re a graduate or diploma holder in a technical field, NATS is your scheme — see our dedicated NATS Registration guide instead.
Candidate Registration — Step by Step
Step 1: Visit apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
Step 2: Click “Candidate” under the registration/login section
Step 3: Enter your mobile number and email address
Step 4: Verify your mobile number via OTP
Step 5: Complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC to activate your account
Step 6: Log in and complete your profile — personal details, address, educational qualifications
Step 7: Upload required documents: Aadhaar card, educational certificates/marksheets, passport-size photo, and Aadhaar-linked bank account details (for stipend DBT)
Step 8: Browse and apply to available vacancies matching your qualification
⭐ Current Stipend Structure (Revised May 2025)
| Category | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Overall range | ₹6,800 – ₹12,300 |
| ITI/Class 10 pass-outs | Around ₹8,200 |
| Diploma holders | Around ₹10,900 |
| Graduates/Degree holders | Around ₹12,300 |
Government’s share: 25% of the stipend, capped at ₹1,500/month per apprentice, transferred directly via DBT to the apprentice’s Aadhaar-linked bank account. The establishment pays the remaining balance.
North-Eastern Region bonus: An additional ₹1,500/month for candidates from NER undergoing training in a different state — over and above the regular government stipend share.
State exceptions: Some states (e.g., Maharashtra, Rajasthan) tie stipends directly to their own state minimum wage laws rather than the central rates above.
Trade Categories
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Designated Trades | Notified by the Central Government; implemented by DGT (Directorate General of Training); 260+ job roles |
| Optional Trades | Determined by the employer based on their specific needs; implemented by NSDC; 550+ job roles |
⭐ Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM)
Held on the 2nd Monday of every month, in at least one-third of districts in each state — a direct, in-person candidate-establishment interaction event for immediate selection opportunities, alongside the regular online portal process.
For Establishments — Registering as an Employer
Step 1: Visit apprenticeshipindia.gov.in → register as “Establishment”
Step 2: Provide your PAN, GSTIN, and Factory License (as applicable)
Step 3: Post specific vacancies for your required trades
Step 4: Screen applicants through the portal, or source candidates via local ITIs/colleges using their Candidate IDs
Step 5: Generate and issue the online apprenticeship contract — both employer and candidate sign via Aadhaar-based OTP before training begins
Mandatory quota: Establishments with 30+ employees must engage apprentices comprising 2.5% to 15% of total workforce. Apprentices are exempt from PF, ESI, and Bonus obligations, and are covered under the Factories Act and Employees’ Compensation Act for safety/injury matters.
Documents Required (Candidates)
- Aadhaar Card
- Educational certificates/marksheets
- Passport-size photograph
- Aadhaar-linked bank account details
Common Problems + Fix
“Confused whether I need NAPS or NATS”: ITI/Class 8-10-12 background → NAPS. Engineering/diploma/degree graduate → NATS (see our separate NATS guide).
“OTP not arriving during registration”: Confirm your mobile number is correctly entered; try again after a few minutes, or use a different browser.
“Aadhaar authentication failed”: Double-check your Aadhaar number for typos; ensure your Aadhaar-linked mobile is active and reachable for OTP.
“Applied to a vacancy, no response yet”: Establishments shortlist on their own timeline — apply to multiple vacancies rather than waiting on a single response.
“Site loading slowly or registration not going through”: Try Chrome browser, clear your cache, or attempt during off-peak hours (early morning).
“Heard outdated stipend figures elsewhere”: The current range (post-May 2025 revision) is ₹6,800–₹12,300/month, depending on qualification — confirm directly on the portal if checking for a specific recent vacancy.
FAQ
What is the current NAPS stipend range? ₹6,800 to ₹12,300 per month, following the 36% increase approved in May 2025, varying by qualification level.
Is NAPS registration free? Yes — completely free for candidates at every stage.
What’s the difference between NAPS and NATS? NAPS (Ministry of Skill Development) serves ITI/Class 8-10-12 candidates; NATS (Ministry of Education) serves engineering/diploma/degree graduates — different portals, different target audiences.
Is there a registration deadline? No fixed deadline — new vacancies post throughout the year, so registering early and checking your dashboard regularly is recommended.
What is PMNAM? Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela — a monthly (2nd Monday), district-level in-person event for direct candidate-establishment interaction.
Is the NAPS certificate valid for government job applications? Yes — the National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) or Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) is recognized as valid work experience for PSU, government, and private job applications.
Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| NAPS/Apprenticeship India Portal | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
| Candidate Login | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/candidate-login |
Knowing the current, post-revision stipend range — rather than an outdated figure from an older guide — helps you set accurate expectations before accepting any apprenticeship offer through this portal.
If you’re an ITI pass-out or recent Class 10/12 completer, register at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in directly, and remember this is specifically the NAPS portal — engineering and diploma graduates should use NATS instead.
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