New apprenticeship openings across India are available for 2026 under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). Manufacturing, automobile, power, railway workshop, banking and IT companies are taking apprentices in Pune, Chennai, Gurugram, Manesar, Sanand, Bengaluru, Hosur, Jamshedpur, Vadodara and Visakhapatnam.
Apprenticeship suits 10th and 12th pass, ITI, diploma and graduate candidates who want paid, hands-on training instead of only classroom study. You earn a monthly stipend, learn on real machines or office systems, and get a recognised certificate at the end.
This guide explains the stipend, eligibility, NAPS and NATS routes, documents and step-by-step application method for apprenticeship jobs in India in 2026.
Apprenticeship Jobs 2026 — NAPS, NATS & Company Programmes
Paid on-the-job training for 10th, ITI, diploma and graduate candidates with a recognised certificate at the end.
Quick Summary
Below is a quick snapshot of apprenticeship jobs in India — trades, stipend, duration and what you need to apply — followed by the full details.
Monthly Salary
Figures are typical monthly stipends paid by PSUs and private companies. The minimum stipend is fixed by government norms for each qualification, and many large companies pay above it; the government also shares part of the stipend with the employer under NAPS and NATS. An apprentice receives a stipend, not a salary. Confirm the exact figure in your apprenticeship contract before joining.
Stipend by Type of Employer
Apprentices are trained by many kinds of employers. Stipend and selection method differ between them:
| Employer Type | Typical Trades & Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| ⚙️ Central PSUs (BHEL, NTPC, IOCL, ONGC) | Trade, technician and graduate apprentices — ₹8,000 – ₹15,000 (merit list as per notification) |
| 🚆 Railway workshops (RRC Act Apprentice) | Fitter, electrician, welder, machinist — stipend as per Apprentices Act norms |
| 🚗 Automobile & engineering companies | Assembly, maintenance, quality apprentices — ₹9,000 – ₹15,000 |
| 🏦 Banks & financial services | Branch operations and customer service apprentices — ₹10,000 – ₹15,000 |
| 💻 IT & office services | Office, data and support apprentices — ₹9,000 – ₹14,000 |
Living Costs Near Industrial Areas
Apprentices often move to an industrial town. Typical monthly costs for a single trainee:
Many plants provide a subsidised canteen and company bus, which makes a stipend go much further. Rooms in villages near the industrial area are cheaper than in the city.
What Does an Apprentice Do?
- Learn to operate lathe, milling and CNC machines under a trainer.
- Assist electricians with wiring, panel checks and motor maintenance.
- Join assembly line work and learn quality checks on parts.
- Help in preventive maintenance of plant machinery as per schedule.
- Handle branch counters, account opening papers and records as a banking apprentice.
- Attend basic training classes on safety, tools and trade theory.
- Maintain a training logbook that is checked by your supervisor.
Why Choose Apprenticeship Jobs in India?
Your Career Growth Path
An apprenticeship is often the first step into a permanent technical or office job:
Contract / Trainee Operator→
Technician / Junior Executive→
Senior Technician→
Supervisor→
Shift In-charge
Skills That Help You Get Hired
Who Can Apply — Eligibility
Apprenticeship is meant for freshers. A realistic eligibility checklist for 2026:
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | Minimum 14 years (18 for hazardous trades); PSUs and Railways set upper limits as per their notification |
| Education | 10th / 12th / ITI for NAPS trades; engineering or non-engineering diploma or degree for NATS |
| Experience | Not required; candidates who already finished an apprenticeship usually cannot apply again in the same trade |
| Language | Hindi or the local language; basic English helps in reading manuals |
| Portal registration | Registration on the NAPS portal (trade apprentices) or NATS portal managed by BOAT (diploma and graduate apprentices) |
| Medical | Medical fitness certificate, especially for factory and railway trades |
| Documents | Aadhaar, marksheets, ITI / diploma / degree certificate, bank account linked to Aadhaar |
Documents Commonly Required
- Aadhaar card (linked to your bank account for stipend).
- 10th marksheet for date of birth.
- 12th, ITI, diploma or degree marksheets as applicable.
- NAPS or NATS registration number.
- Caste certificate if applying under reserved seats in PSUs.
- Medical fitness certificate.
- Recent passport-size photographs.
Note: Apprenticeship registration on the NAPS and NATS portals is free. No company or agent should charge you to “allot” an apprentice seat, and PSU and Railway apprentice seats are filled only as per their official notification and merit list.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
Ready to apply?
Register free on the official portal and never pay anyone for an apprentice seat.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying an agent to “confirm” a PSU or Railway apprentice seat.
- Not linking the bank account to Aadhaar, which delays the stipend.
- Applying under NATS with an ITI qualification or under NAPS with the wrong trade.
- Leaving the apprenticeship midway without informing the company.
- Treating the apprenticeship as a permanent job without checking the contract.
Common Interview Questions
- Which trade did you study and which machines have you used?
- Why do you want to do an apprenticeship instead of a regular job?
- What safety rules do you follow in a workshop?
- Are you ready to work in shifts at the plant?
- What do you want to do after the apprenticeship ends?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stipend for apprentices in 2026?
What is the difference between NAPS and NATS?
Is an apprentice a permanent employee?
How long is an apprenticeship?
Can graduates apply under NAPS?
Conclusion
Apprenticeship jobs in India let 10th, ITI, diploma and graduate candidates earn a stipend while learning real skills. Register on the correct portal, keep your documents ready, and never pay for a seat.
