🇮🇳 Government of India · Ministry of Skill Development
National Apprenticeship
Promotion Scheme
(NAPS)
India's most powerful workforce upskilling initiative — the Government pays 30% of apprentice stipend (up to ₹1,500/month) directly to employers. Vikataestate manages the entire NAPS process for your company.
NAPS Quick Facts
30%Govt. stipend share
₹1,500Max monthly per apprentice
2.5–15%Of total workforce
Min 4Employees to qualify
Central Govt. scheme under MSDE
All sectors & company sizes eligible
NSQF-aligned apprentice training
Vikataestate handles all compliance
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NAPS — Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme
Govt. pays 30% of stipend · All companies · Fresher / trades focus
Also available
NATS — Apprenticeship Training Scheme
Govt. pays 50% of stipend · Engineering/diploma focus
30%Government pays of total stipend
₹1,500Max govt. reimbursement per month
2.5–15%Of workforce eligible as apprentices
4+Minimum employees to qualify
What is NAPS
Central Government Scheme — Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) is a Central Government initiative launched under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to promote apprenticeship training across India.
Under NAPS, the Government of India reimburses 25% of the prescribed stipend (subject to a maximum of ₹1,500 per month per apprentice) directly to employers who engage apprentices. This significantly reduces the cost of training a skilled workforce.
Unlike NATS (which focuses on engineering/diploma graduates), NAPS covers a broader range of optional trades, designated trades, and fresher apprentices — making it accessible to virtually all sectors and industries.
Governed by
Apprentices Act 1961 (amended 2014) — Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Reimbursement
25% of stipend paid, max ₹1,500/month per apprentice — credited directly to employer
Who can enroll
Any company with 4+ employees. Both MSMEs and large corporations qualify.
Portal
Managed via apprenticeshipindia.org — Vikataestate handles all registration and claims
Sectors covered
Manufacturing, services, IT, retail, construction, hospitality, education, and more
Stipend breakdown
Who Pays What Under NAPS
The apprentice stipend under NAPS is shared between the employer and the Government of India
Government of India
Pays 25% — up to max ₹1,500/month
₹1,500
Per apprentice per month
Reimbursed directly to employer via NAPS portal
Reimbursed directly to employer via NAPS portal
Your Company
Pays remaining 75% of stipend
₹4,500+
Per apprentice per month
Based on prescribed rate (min ₹5,000–₹9,000)
Based on prescribed rate (min ₹5,000–₹9,000)
Your real saving: Compared to a full-time employee at ₹15,000–₹25,000/month (salary + PF + ESIC + training), an apprentice costs significantly less — and the Govt. reimbursement of up to ₹1,500/month per person is an additional direct saving on top. For 10 apprentices, that's ₹18,000/month back in your account from the Government.
Live savings calculator
Calculate Your NAPS Savings
Enter your company's employee count to instantly see how many apprentices you can hire and how much the Govt. reimburses
Minimum 4 employees required to participate
Choose your target apprentice ratio within eligible range
Minimum prescribed is ₹5,000 for fresher apprentices
Your NAPS summary
Eligible apprentices10
Stipend per apprentice₹6,000
Total stipend payout/mo₹60,000
Govt. reimburses/mo (25%)₹15,000
Your net cost/mo₹45,000
Govt. reimburses/year₹1,80,000
Saving vs regular hire/mo₹90,000
* Savings vs regular employees at ₹15,000/month. Govt. reimbursement subject to portal processing timelines.
How NAPS works — step by step
Simple 6-Step NAPS Process
From registration to reimbursement — Vikataestate manages every step for you
1
Company registers
On apprenticeshipindia.org NAPS portal
2
Select apprentices
Vikataestate provides pre-screened candidates
3
Contract signed
Apprenticeship contract registered on portal
4
Training begins
NSQF-aligned on-the-job + classroom training
5
Pay full stipend
Employer pays 100% stipend monthly to apprentice
6
Govt. reimburses
₹1,500/apprentice credited back to employer
Benefits for your company
Direct cash reimbursement
₹1,500 per apprentice per month credited directly from Govt. to your company. No middlemen — straight to your account.
Trained talent pipeline
Train apprentices your way. The best performers convert to full-time employees — already trained, zero onboarding cost.
Zero compliance burden
Vikataestate manages all NAPS portal registrations, contracts, training records, and monthly reimbursement claims for you.
Flexible across all sectors
NAPS works for IT, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, healthcare, agriculture, and services. Any company with 4+ employees qualifies.
CSR & ESG credit
NAPS apprenticeship programs are recognised under CSR spend guidelines — upskill youth and meet your social responsibility goals simultaneously.
NSQF certified apprentices
All apprentices trained under NSQF-aligned curriculum receive Govt.-recognized certificates — valuable credentials for their career.
NAPS vs regular hiring
| Cost factor | Regular employee | NAPS apprentice (via Vikataestate) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly salary / stipend | ₹15,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹5,000 – ₹9,000 (prescribed) |
| Govt. reimbursement | None | ₹1,500/month per apprentice |
| Your net monthly cost | ₹15,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹3,500 – ₹7,500 after reimbursement |
| PF / ESIC contribution | Mandatory (12% + 3.25%) | Not applicable during apprenticeship |
| Training cost | ₹5,000 – ₹20,000 one-time | Covered under NAPS program |
| Compliance & paperwork | High (PF, ESIC, labour laws) | Managed by Vikataestate |
| Annual cost (1 person) | ₹1,80,000 – ₹3,00,000 | ₹42,000 – ₹90,000 (net of reimbursement) |
| Govt. support per year | ₹0 | ₹18,000 per apprentice |
How Vikataestate manages NAPS for you
End-to-End NAPS Management
You focus on your core business. We handle every step of the NAPS apprenticeship lifecycle.
Step 01
Company registration
We register your company on the NAPS portal (apprenticeshipindia.org) and set up your complete compliance profile.
Step 02
Candidate sourcing
We supply pre-screened, NSQF-ready apprentice candidates matched to your industry, trade, and location requirements.
Step 03
Contract registration
All apprenticeship contracts drafted, digitally signed, and registered on the NAPS Govt. portal by our team.
Step 04
Training plan setup
Structured NSQF-aligned training plan created for each apprentice — covering both on-the-job and basic training components.
Step 05
Monthly claims filing
We file your ₹1,500/apprentice reimbursement claims every month via the NAPS portal. Govt. credits the amount to your account.
Step 06
Certification
On program completion, apprentices receive NSQF Govt.-recognized certificates. Best performers join your permanent team.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between NAPS and NATS? ▼
NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) is governed by the Ministry of Skill Development and covers fresher and optional trade apprentices — Govt. pays 25% of stipend, max ₹1,500/month. NATS (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme) is governed by the Ministry of Education and primarily covers engineering and diploma graduates — Govt. pays 50% of ₹9,000 stipend. Both are valid programs; the right one depends on your workforce needs.
How much does the Government actually reimburse under NAPS? ▼
The Government reimburses 25% of the prescribed stipend, subject to a maximum of ₹1,500 per apprentice per month. For example, if you pay ₹6,000/month to an apprentice, the Govt. reimburses ₹1,500. This amount is credited directly to your company's bank account via the NAPS portal.
What is the minimum stipend I must pay under NAPS? ▼
The minimum stipend varies by category: Fresher apprentices (no formal education) — ₹5,000/month; ITI pass holders — ₹6,000/month; Diploma holders — ₹7,000/month; Graduate level — ₹8,000 to ₹9,000/month. These are minimums — you can pay more.
How many apprentices can I hire under NAPS? ▼
You can hire between 2.5% and 15% of your total workforce strength as apprentices. For a company with 100 employees, that means 2 to 15 apprentices. The more employees you have, the more apprentices you can engage — and the higher your total Govt. reimbursement.
Does Vikataestate handle all the paperwork and portal submissions? ▼
Yes, completely. Vikataestate registers your company on the NAPS portal, sources and onboards apprentices, prepares all contracts, files monthly reimbursement claims, and handles all compliance documentation. Your team does not need to interact with the Govt. portal at all.
What happens after the apprenticeship period ends? ▼
After completing the apprenticeship (minimum 6 months, typically 1–3 years), the apprentice receives an NSQF-recognised completion certificate. You have the option — but not the obligation — to hire them permanently. Many companies convert top-performing apprentices to full-time employees since they are already fully trained.
Register your company under NAPS
NAPS Enrollment Form
Fill in your company details — our NAPS expert will contact you within 48 hours to begin registration
What Vikataestate does for you
Register company on NAPS Govt. portal
Source and screen suitable apprentice candidates
Draft and register all apprenticeship contracts
Create NSQF-aligned training plan
File monthly reimbursement claims (₹1,500/apprentice)
Maintain all compliance records and documentation
Arrange NSQF completion certificates for apprentices
Provide ongoing support and mentorship
Official Govt. scheme
NAPS is a Central Government of India scheme under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. The reimbursement is a direct Govt. payment to your company — not a Vikataestate subsidy.
Start Getting ₹1,500/Month Per Apprentice from the Govt.
Join hundreds of companies saving lakhs annually through NAPS. Vikataestate registers your company, sources candidates, and files all claims — at zero hassle to you.