 will convene the 38th meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) on May 26, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan){kind=link}
MAY 25: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) will convene the 38th meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) on May 26, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Council, reconstituted in October 2024 under the leadership of Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE, serves as the Government’s key advisory body on apprenticeship-related policies.
This meeting is especially significant, being the first since June 2021. In the interim, India’s apprenticeship landscape has seen notable progress. Over 43.47 lakh apprentices are now engaged across 36 States and Union Territories, with participation from more than 51,000 establishments. The scope of apprenticeships has broadened to include diverse social groups and futuristic sectors through flagship initiatives like PM-NAPS and NATS.
The upcoming meeting will focus on major policy reforms, including the digital delivery of apprenticeships, and the integration of Degree Apprenticeships through regulatory changes. These will define and formally implement Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDPs). The Council will also discuss facilitating global deployment of apprentices, revising stipend rates in line with inflation, and increasing support for women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and youth from the North Eastern Region (NER). Strengthening institutional structures, such as forming new regional boards, will also be on the agenda.
The CAC includes representatives from key Central Ministries, State Governments, industry leaders (such as BHEL, Indian Oil, Tata Group, Maruti Suzuki, and Reliance Industries), academia (UGC, AICTE), labour organizations, and subject matter experts in education and skilling.
Ahead of the meeting, Shri Jayant Chaudhary emphasized the evolving role of apprenticeships: “The future of apprenticeships lies at the intersection of education, technology, and opportunity. This Council meeting is crucial to creating a more flexible, globally connected, and coherent apprenticeship system—supporting our goal of a ‘Kushal Bharat, Viksit Bharat’.”
The meeting will commence at 10:30 AM with a keynote address by the Minister.
Earlier this week, MSDE launched a focused Apprenticeship Pilot Scheme in Aizawl, Mizoram, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and NSDC. With a budget of ₹43.94 crore, it aims to benefit over 26,000 youth in the NER by offering an additional ₹1,500 monthly stipend, expanding skilling access in underserved regions.