Parliament Question: Monitoring of NATS Diploma Holders in Andhra Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3604

ANSWERED ON: 10.08.2026 MONITORING OF NATS DIPLOMA HOLDERS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

3604. DR. D. PURANDESWARI:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to

state:

(a) whether the Government has monitored the implementation of the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) for graduate and diploma holders during 2025-2026 in Andhra Pradesh;

(b) if so, the details thereof, including the total number of technical graduates who have successfully secured apprenticeship positions in the said State;

(c) the total amount of stipend reimbursement released to the participating technical institutions and industries in Andhra Pradesh during the last one year and the current year;

(d) whether the Government has observed delays in the processing of subsidy claims by the regional boards, causing financial strain on the participating employers; and

(e) the specific steps taken/being taken by the Government to integrate non-technical degree graduates into the apprenticeship framework within Andhra Pradesh? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (e): The Government of India monitors the implementation of the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) through four autonomous bodies, namely Board of Apprenticeship Training (Northern Region), Kanpur; Board of Apprenticeship Training (Western Region), Mumbai; Board of Practical Training (Eastern Region), Kolkata and Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region), Chennai. Further, NATS 2.0 portal has been introduced as a technology enabled platform for management of apprenticeship training. In Andhra Pradesh, NATS is implemented through Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region) (BoAT-SR) which undertakes activities for engagement of apprentices, industry outreach and monitoring of NATS implementation. During 2025–26, a total of 1,851 apprentices were engaged in Andhra Pradesh, comprising 1175 Technical Apprentices and 676 Non-technical Apprentices.

Under NATS, The prescribed minimum monthly stipend ranges from ₹ 12300 for graduates apprentices and ₹ 10,900 for diploma apprentices. The Government of India provide 50% of the prescribed minimum stipend as support for a maximum period of 1 year. The Ministry of Education releases grants under the stipendiary head to the four implementing Boards for disbursement of stipend through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and for settlement of eligible reimbursement claims of establishments after verification.From 1st November 2025, the Government share of stipend is being transferred directly to the bank accounts of apprentices through DBT. Before DBT, reimbursement model was followed wherein establishment used to pay government share of apprenticeship training to apprentices and may claim for reimbursement of the Government’s share from the respective Board of Apprenticeship Training (BoAT) within three years from the date of payment of stipend. Claims are released by respective BoAT after verification of the documents received from the establishments.

During 2025–26, ₹ 75.69 lakh was reimbursed towards stipend to participating industries in Andhra Pradesh.

To facilitate the participation of graduates/diploma holders from all streams including non- technical degree graduates in apprenticeship training under NATS, BoATs are conducting various outreach activities in their respective regions. BoAT-SR has also conducted career guidance programmes, institution visits, apprenticeship fairs and placement-officer sensitisation programmes. Further, 20 MoUs have been signed with Universities/Colleges under the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) in the state of Andhra Pradesh by BoAT

(SR). An extension office has also been established at Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh for on-ground implementation support of NATS. *****