NATS Apprenticeship Statistics 2025: Apprentices by State
· 1 min read · 4 official sources
5.23 lakh apprentices were engaged under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme in 2025 at 16,400 establishments, the Government told Parliament in March 2026. Maharashtra alone engaged 1,14,127. A third-party study found 74% of NATS apprentices in full-time jobs after training. State-wise figures are below.
National Scheme of Apprenticeship Training (NATS): key numbers
Infographic
Top 15 states by NATS apprentices (2025)
Apprentices engaged under NATS in calendar year 2025 in the 15 states with the most, with NAPS apprentices in the same state for comparison. The all-India NATS total was 5,23,024.
| State | NATS apprentices | NAPS apprentices |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 1,14,127 | 3,03,763 |
| West Bengal | 75,863 | 31,406 |
| Tamil Nadu | 56,112 | 1,33,189 |
| Haryana | 44,274 | 80,573 |
| Telangana | 35,604 | 45,520 |
| Odisha | 28,279 | 13,195 |
| Karnataka | 27,456 | 1,10,555 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 21,706 | 1,00,553 |
| Kerala | 18,152 | 15,243 |
| Bihar | 16,565 | 6,855 |
| Gujarat | 15,817 | 1,09,832 |
| Rajasthan | 15,100 | 29,260 |
| Jharkhand | 10,158 | 10,309 |
| Delhi | 9,727 | 30,153 |
| Uttarakhand | 9,172 | 29,014 |
Source: pib.gov.in, as on 31 December 2025
How a NATS apprenticeship works
What the numbers show
NATS, run by the Ministry of Education since 1973, places graduates and diploma holders in one-year apprenticeships. A Rajya Sabha reply on 23 March 2026 said 5,23,024 apprentices were engaged under NATS in 2025, at 16,400 establishments including small businesses. The same reply cited a NILERD evaluation that found 74% of NATS apprentices in full-time jobs after training.
Money behind the scheme
When the Cabinet extended NATS in November 2021, it approved Rs 3,054 crore of stipend support for 2021-22 to 2025-26 and expected about 9 lakh apprentices to be trained in that period. The scope was widened then to include humanities, science and commerce graduates as well as engineers. The Centre pays half the prescribed minimum stipend, up to Rs 4,500 a month, through direct benefit transfer. In May 2025 the Central Apprenticeship Council approved a 36% stipend increase, with future revisions linked to inflation.
State differences
Maharashtra is far ahead with 1,14,127 NATS apprentices in 2025. West Bengal (75,863), Tamil Nadu (56,112) and Haryana (44,274) follow. The pattern differs from the Skill Ministry's NAPS scheme: West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Kerala engaged more apprentices under NATS than under NAPS, while Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh rely much more on NAPS. Northeastern states have very few apprentices under either scheme.
What the figures do not tell you
The 2025 count is of apprentices engaged during the year and does not show how many completed training. The employment rate comes from an evaluation study, not a full count of every apprentice. State figures reflect where the establishment is located, which may not be the apprentice's home state.
Where to check the numbers
The NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in lists openings and handles contracts. Year-wise and state-wise totals appear in Parliament replies by the Skill Development and Education ministries, published on PIB.
Frequently asked questions
How many apprentices were engaged under NATS in 2025?
5,23,024 apprentices were engaged under NATS in calendar year 2025, according to a Rajya Sabha reply of 23 March 2026. Under the separate NAPS scheme of the Skill Development Ministry, 11,84,431 were engaged.
Which state has the most NATS apprentices?
Maharashtra had 1,14,127 NATS apprentices in 2025, followed by West Bengal with 75,863 and Tamil Nadu with 56,112.
Do NATS apprentices get jobs after training?
A third-party evaluation by NILERD, cited by the Government in Parliament in 2026, found 74% of NATS apprentices in full-time employment after completing training.
How much has the Government set aside for NATS stipends?
In November 2021 the Cabinet approved Rs 3,054 crore of stipend support for 2021-22 to 2025-26, expecting about 9 lakh apprentices to be trained. In July 2024 the Education Minister released Rs 100 crore in stipends through DBT while launching the NATS 2.0 portal.
How much stipend does the Government pay a NATS apprentice?
The Central Government pays 50% of the prescribed minimum stipend, up to Rs 4,500 a month, directly to the apprentice. The Central Apprenticeship Council approved a 36% increase in stipends in May 2025.
Eligibility, documents and how to apply: National Scheme of Apprenticeship Training (NATS) full guide
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Sources
This guide was checked against these official pages:
- pib.gov.in (www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2243987)
- pib.gov.in (www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2226495)
- pib.gov.in (www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1774578)
- pib.gov.in (www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2039276)