The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is set to host the 38th meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) on May 26, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. This meeting holds special significance as it comes after a four-year gap, and under the new chairmanship of Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge). The Council, reconstituted in October 2024, is tasked with advising the Government on policies related to apprenticeship training — a crucial pathway for equipping India’s youth with practical skills and meaningful employment opportunities.
Since the last meeting in 2021, apprenticeship in India has made impressive strides. Over 43 lakh young individuals have been engaged in apprenticeships across all States and Union Territories, supported by more than 51,000 establishments. These efforts have not only increased outreach to more districts and communities but have also brought focus to future-facing sectors through government schemes like PM-NAPS and NATS. The progress reflects a determined national effort to bridge the gap between education and employment, while making skill development more inclusive and impactful.
The upcoming CAC meeting will discuss transformative reforms in apprenticeship training. Key proposals include the adoption of digital and virtual modes for delivering apprenticeship programs, the formal integration of Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDPs), and rule changes to enable deployment of apprentices in global client locations. Other measures under consideration include raising stipend rates in line with inflation, and introducing focused support for women, persons with disabilities, and youth from the North Eastern Region. Discussions will also address the strengthening of institutional mechanisms by establishing new regional boards.
The Council brings together a wide range of voices—senior representatives from central ministries, state governments, major industrial houses such as BHEL, Indian Oil, Tata, and Maruti Suzuki, along with academic institutions like UGC and AICTE. The presence of both public and private stakeholders ensures that the apprenticeship policies being shaped reflect the diverse needs of the Indian workforce and economy.
In his message ahead of the meeting, Shri Jayant Chaudhary emphasized the importance of this moment, stating that the future of apprenticeships lies at the intersection of education, technology, and opportunity. He underlined the Council’s role in shaping a system that is flexible, globally aligned, and institutionally strong—one that supports the broader vision of a “Kushal Bharat, Viksit Bharat.”
The importance of regional inclusion was also highlighted this week with the launch of a dedicated apprenticeship pilot scheme for the North Eastern Region in Aizawl, Mizoram. This initiative, personally led by Shri Jayant Chaudhary alongside Mizoram Chief Minister Shri Lalduhoma, aims to benefit over 26,000 youth by offering an additional monthly stipend of ₹1,500 beyond standard benefits. With an outlay of nearly ₹44 crore, this program seeks to open doors for young people in remote and underserved areas, ensuring that they, too, are part of India’s growth story.
As the nation prepares to take its next big leap in skill development, the 38th CAC meeting is poised to play a defining role in building a more resilient, inclusive, and opportunity-rich future for India’s youth.
