BS EDIT: India needs a vibrant apprenticeship ecosystem

By Business StandardPublished On Mar 11, 2026

Why Apprenticeships Matter

NITI Aayog sees apprenticeships as vital to Viksit Bharat 2047, but progress is uneven

The Drop-off Problem

Registrations far exceed completions, revealing major gaps in the training pipeline

Industry Participation Is Skewed

Medium and large firms drive most engagement while smaller firms remain underrepresented

Weak Education–Industry Link

Apprenticeships are not fully integrated into higher education, limiting their impact

What the Report Recommends

A national mission, unified portal and targeted incentives to widen participation

Building a Job-led Growth Pipeline

Expanding apprenticeships across MSMEs, startups and new sectors can boost job-led growth