63/2025-2026

Aizawl, 20^th May, 2025 : Shri Lalduhoma, Chief Minister, and  Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship jointly launched "Pilot initiative for special intervention for promotion of Apprenticeship in North Eastern Region (NER)" at Administrative Training Institute, Aizawl, Mizoram today.

"Pilot initiative for special intervention for promotion of Apprenticeship in North Eastern Region (NER)" represents a crucial milestone in advancing the Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit North East, positioning the eight North Eastern states as key drivers of India's economic growth. The pilot also aims to take forward the Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of 'Ashta Lakshmi' for Development of NER.

The initiative for promotion of Apprenticeship in NER is envisaged to accommodate two objectives -Increasing the number of apprentices and participation of establishments from NER and Promoting Apprenticeship across the traditional clusters within NER. This project will be implemented on pilot mode during FY 2025-26. Based on the success it will be evaluated and continued further.

The initiative will directly benefit more than 26,000 candidates having a domicile from any of the NER States who will be taking Apprenticeship Training by migrating to other NER State and outside NER. State/ UTs. Accordingly, total financial outlay of ₹43.94 crore has been proposed to provide additional support to 26,000 candidates.

Each candidate will receive an additional monetary support of ₹1,500 per month for one year, over and above the existing ₹1,500 monthly stipend support by Gol under PM-NAPS.

A dedicated financial outlay of ₹4 crore has been proposed for organizing 80 awareness workshops across Jhe eight North Eastern States (₹2 crore), conducting 10 advocacy publicity campaigns (₹1 crore) across eight North-Eastern States and setting up a Project Management Unit (PMU) with 10 consultants (₹1 crore).

The Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati, and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will be key implementing agencies. IIE will lead promotional activities such as workshops, advocacy, and campaigns, while NSDC will handle the disbursement of financial incentives to candidates via the Apprenticeship portal.

A monitoring committee will be established, chaired by the Director of IIE and co-chaired by a representative from the Ministry of DoNER, with members from state departments, State Engagement Officers (SEOs), RDSDEs, and Apprenticeship Advisors (AAAs).