How to Apply for an Apprenticeship Under NAPS

An apprenticeship lets you learn a trade inside a real workplace, under a formal contract, while receiving a stipend. In India, apprenticeships for trade apprentices are promoted through the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and applications are made on the official Apprenticeship India portal. This guide explains how apprenticeships work, who they suit, and how to register and apply step by step — without the rumours and outdated figures that circulate on social media.

What an apprenticeship is (and is not)

Apprenticeships in India are governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961. An apprentice signs a contract with an employer (called an establishment), learns on the job for a fixed period, receives a stipend, and at the end is assessed and certified.

An apprenticeship is training, not a guaranteed job. Many establishments do hire good apprentices afterwards, but they are not obliged to. Treat it as paid, certified experience that makes your next job easier to get.

NAPS and NATS: which one applies to you?

There are two main national apprenticeship schemes, with separate portals:

If you have completed Class 10 or 12, an ITI, or a short skill course, NAPS is usually the one to explore. Graduates and diploma holders should check NATS too.

Types of trades under NAPS

• Designated trades: trades notified by the government, often matching ITI trades such as electrician, fitter or COPA (computer operator). These follow a set syllabus.
• Optional trades: trades designed by the establishment or aligned to sector skill council job roles, common in services such as retail, office work, hospitality and IT-enabled services.

Each opportunity on the portal names its trade, minimum qualification, duration, location and stipend. Read these carefully before applying.

Basic training

Candidates who come directly without prior formal training in the trade may need to complete basic training (theory and practical foundation) before or alongside on-the-job training. The portal and the establishment will tell you whether this applies to your trade.

Who can apply

Eligibility depends on the trade. In general, the Apprentices Act and scheme rules set a minimum age, a minimum educational qualification for each trade, and fitness requirements for some trades. Instead of relying on age limits and qualifications quoted in forwarded messages, do this:

1. Open the trade or opportunity on the portal and read the stated minimum qualification.
2. Check the eligibility section and FAQs on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in for age and other conditions.
3. Confirm with the establishment's HR contact before you accept an offer.

Documents to keep ready

• Aadhaar card, with your current mobile number linked.
• Class 10 marksheet (often used as proof of date of birth).
• Class 12, ITI, diploma or skill course certificates, as applicable.
• Bank account in your own name, seeded with Aadhaar — stipend support is paid by direct benefit transfer.
• Passport-size photo and signature scans.
• Caste or disability certificate, if applicable.
• A working email address and mobile number you use yourself.

Our student documents checklist explains how to scan and name files so uploads go smoothly.

Step-by-step: register and apply on the portal

Screens and button labels on the portal change occasionally, but the process follows this order.

1. Open the official portal. Type www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in in your browser. Do not register through links in unknown messages.
2. Register as a candidate. Choose the candidate (apprentice) registration option, enter your basic details, mobile number and email, and verify them with OTP.
3. Complete your profile. Add personal details, education, any training certificates, and your preferred trades and locations. Upload documents where asked. Complete Aadhaar-related verification if the portal requires it.
4. Add bank details. Enter your Aadhaar-seeded bank account carefully. Errors here delay stipend payments.
5. Note your registration number. The portal issues a unique registration number. Save it.
6. Search opportunities. Filter by state, district, trade and qualification. Read each opportunity: establishment name, trade, duration, stipend, number of seats and location.
7. Apply. Apply to opportunities that match your qualification and that you can realistically travel to.
8. Track and respond. Check your dashboard, email and SMS for shortlisting, interview calls or offers. Establishments may call you for an interview or test.
9. Accept the offer. If selected, accept the offer on the portal within the time given.
10. Contract registration. The establishment creates your apprenticeship contract on the portal, which is then approved by the designated authority. Do not start without a registered contract — it is what makes your apprenticeship official.

Choosing between opportunities

If you get more than one shortlist or offer, compare them on more than the stipend. Here is an example comparison using fictional opportunities:

Choose the one that builds towards the job you want next, and that you can complete without dropping out.

Questions establishments often ask apprentices

• Why do you want to learn this trade?
• What did you learn in your course or ITI? Can you show us?
• Can you attend regularly for the full duration?
• How will you travel to work?

Answer honestly and briefly. A small practical task — typing, a simple Excel sheet, a stitching sample — is common, so practise before the interview.

Understanding the stipend

The Apprentices Act and government notifications set the minimum stipend an establishment must pay, which may vary by qualification level. Under NAPS, the government has also shared part of the stipend with establishments, paid directly into the apprentice's bank account through DBT. The amounts and the payment process are revised from time to time, so:

• Read the stipend stated on the opportunity before applying.
• Check the current stipend rules on the official portal.
• Make sure your bank account is active and Aadhaar-seeded.
• Keep a record of your attendance and monthly payments.
• If DBT support does not arrive, ask the establishment whether your attendance and stipend payment were submitted on the portal, and use the portal's grievance or helpdesk options.

During the apprenticeship

1. Attend regularly. Attendance affects both your stipend and your eligibility for the final assessment.
2. Keep a learning diary. Write what tasks you did each week. It helps in assessment and later interviews.
3. Ask to rotate tasks. Politely ask your supervisor to let you learn different parts of the work, not just one repetitive task.
4. Follow safety rules. Wear the protective equipment provided; report unsafe conditions.
5. Raise problems early. If you are asked to do work unrelated to your trade, or the stipend is not paid, speak to HR first, then use official grievance channels.

Assessment and certificate

At the end of the apprenticeship you are assessed in the trade. For designated trades, apprentices typically appear in the All India Trade Test and, on passing, receive a National Apprenticeship Certificate. For optional trades, assessment is arranged according to the scheme rules for that trade. Ask the establishment early which assessment you will take and how to prepare.

Before your assessment, ask your supervisor for a short practice session on the tasks you have done least often. Revise safety rules and the names of tools and processes, because assessments commonly include both practical work and questions.

Keep your certificate safely, add it to DigiLocker if available, and list it clearly on your resume with the establishment's name and your trade.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Is an apprenticeship right for you?

An apprenticeship is a strong choice if you have finished a course or ITI but have no work experience, if you learn best by doing, or if you need some income while learning. It may not suit you if you cannot commit to the full duration. Many learners finish a short course — for example in computers, accounts or tailoring — and then look for an apprenticeship in a related trade to gain experience.

Combine your apprenticeship search with a job search on the National Career Service portal, and read our fresher resume guide before applying.

Frequently asked questions