NAPS: Women form 29.5% of apprentices in FY27 so far
Why in the news
Data on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) show that women account for 29.5% of apprentices engaged so far in FY27, under a third of the total.
Key facts
- Total apprentices (FY27 so far): about 1.35 million – roughly 3.99 lakh women, 9.55 lakh men and 12 transgender apprentices.
- Partial-year data: FY27 numbers are not directly comparable with full-year figures.
- Women in FY26: about 7.79 lakh, up from about 3.16 lakh in FY25.
- Skilled trades gap: women were 6% of electricians and 2.6% of fitters; none enrolled in welding, diesel mechanic or lineman courses.
- No target: a Parliamentary Standing Committee noted NAPS has no specific targets for women.
Women’s share in NAPS
| Year | Women’s share |
|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 11.8% |
| 2024-25 (FY25) | 22.5% |
| 2025-26 (FY26) | 32.4% |
| 2026-27 (FY27, so far) | 29.5% |
About NAPS
NAPS was launched in 2016 to promote apprenticeship training, and its second phase, NAPS-2, began in 2022-23. The Centre pays 25% of the prescribed minimum stipend, capped at ₹1,500 per apprentice per month, through direct benefit transfer. The scheme is run by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). NAPS sits within the Skill India Programme along with PMKVY and Jan Shikshan Sansthan; the programme received ₹2,800 crore in the FY27 Union Budget against ₹2,700 crore in FY26.
Exam angle
- Remember the stipend support: 25% of stipend, up to ₹1,500 a month, via DBT.
- Launch year 2016; NAPS-2 from 2022-23; nodal ministry MSDE.
- Women’s share peaked at 32.4% in FY26.