Reinforcing its commitment to expanding apprenticeship opportunities and improving youth employability in the North-Eastern Region (NER), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched the extended Special Intervention for Promotion of Apprenticeship in the North-Eastern Region under the Prime Minister’s National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS) for the financial year 2026-27.
According to a PIB release, the initiative, to be implemented by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati, builds on the success of the pilot programme launched in May 2025 and aims to strengthen apprenticeship ecosystems across all eight North-Eastern states by increasing industry participation and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the region’s youth under the Skill India Mission.
For FY 2026-27, the Ministry has increased the apprenticeship target to 30,000, representing a nearly 15 per cent increase over the pilot phase. Of the total target, 15,000 apprentices will be placed outside the North-East, including in Central Government departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), while the remaining 15,000 will receive apprenticeship opportunities within the region, including in their home states.
The Government has allocated ₹57.58 crore for the programme during the current financial year through the North-Eastern Region component of PM-NAPS.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary said the Northeast possesses a young, talented and aspirational population capable of making significant contributions to India’s development.
He said the success of the pilot initiative demonstrated that with appropriate opportunities and institutional support, the region’s youth can realise their potential.
“By extending this intervention under PM-NAPS, we are expanding access to quality apprenticeship opportunities, strengthening local ecosystems, encouraging industry participation, and enabling young people from the region to gain valuable workplace experience both within the North-East and across the country,” he said.
A major feature of the expanded intervention is the extension of an additional financial incentive of ₹1,500 per month over and above the regular support provided under PM-NAPS.
Unlike the pilot phase, which primarily supported apprentices relocating outside their domicile states, the revised programme will also provide the additional incentive to apprentices undertaking training within their home states across the North-East.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
The Ministry said the initiative will continue to strengthen the apprenticeship ecosystem through awareness campaigns, employer engagement programmes, workshops and partnerships with educational institutions, industries and other stakeholders throughout the region.
The Ministry highlighted the encouraging performance of the pilot intervention during its first year of implementation.
Against a target of 26,000 apprentices, the programme successfully facilitated the engagement of 23,470 apprentices, achieving more than 90 per cent of its target.
Overall apprenticeship engagement across the North-East increased by 51 per cent, rising from 15,562 apprentices in FY 2024-25 to 23,470 in FY 2025-26.
The programme also promoted inter-state mobility, with 13,673 apprentices securing placements outside their home states, while 9,797 apprentices were engaged within the North-East.
Among the eight North-Eastern states, Meghalaya recorded the highest growth in apprenticeship participation at 95 per cent.
The Ministry further noted that women emerged as major beneficiaries of the programme, registering a significant increase in apprenticeship participation. Employer participation also expanded considerably, with apprenticeship engagement through government establishments doubling, while private sector participation witnessed substantial growth.
The Ministry stated that by expanding access to industry-oriented training and employment opportunities, the initiative reinforces the Government’s commitment to empowering the youth of the North-East and promoting inclusive economic growth through the Skill India Mission.
