The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) convened a National Review of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi on October 28, 2026, with a focus on strengthening apprenticeship engagement across public sector enterprises. The review aimed to reposition apprenticeship as a credible and aspirational pathway from learning to livelihoods rather than a fallback option, combining theoretical learning with practical workplace experience.
Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of MSDE, emphasized the need to shift focus from scale alone to tangible outcomes, stating that apprenticeship must become a mainstream pathway. She called for measuring success through completion rates, certification, employability, absorption, and retention rather than just the number of apprentices engaged. CPSEs were specifically asked to play a catalytic role by expanding quality opportunities, improving participation of women and under-represented groups, and creating stronger pathways to productive employment.
The apprenticeship ecosystem has achieved significant scale under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS-2). From FY 2022-23 to 22 September 2026, 44.75 lakh apprentices were engaged, supported by 47,452 active establishments. Optional Trades accounted for 76.27% of apprenticeship engagement, reflecting the increasing importance of flexible, employer-responsive apprenticeship pathways.
CPSEs were directed to address the gap between apprenticeship potential and actual engagement through realistic enterprise-wise intake plans aligned with the applicable 2.5%–15% apprenticeship requirement. Enterprises were encouraged to validate their workforce and portal data, establish time-bound recruitment trajectories, and nominate senior-level nodal officers to monitor implementation and resolve bottlenecks. The review reinforced the collective responsibility of CPSEs, States, and other stakeholders to strengthen apprenticeship as an integral component of India's skilling and employment ecosystem.