In its February 2026 report titled Revitalizing India’s Apprenticeship Ecosystem: Insights, Challenges, Recommendations and Best Practices, NITI Aayog has identified both structural weaknesses and notable strengths in Tripura’s apprenticeship landscape under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS).
The report paints a mixed picture for the northeastern state—limited scale of engagement but comparatively strong completion outcomes.
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Marginal Share in National Ecosystem
Tripura’s participation in India’s apprenticeship ecosystem remains minimal. The state accounts for only 0.09 per cent of total Active Establishments (AEs) under NAPS across the country.
Out of 354 Registered Establishments (REs) in Tripura, only 46 are currently active. This translates to an AE-RE conversion rate of 12.99 per cent, significantly lower than national benchmarks. The low activation rate points to limited industrial participation and weak employer mobilization.
On apprentice engagement, Tripura has recorded 18,336 registrations under NAPS. However, only 2,129 apprentices are currently engaged. This represents just 0.06 per cent of the national total. The report categorizes Tripura among states contributing less than 0.1 per cent to India’s total apprenticeship footprint.
Experts attribute this to structural constraints such as a small industrial base, limited MSME participation, and gaps in outreach efforts.
Strong Completion Rate Under NAPS
Despite the low engagement volume, Tripura stands out for its training outcomes. The state reports a completion rate of 69 per cent among engaged apprentices under NAPS. This figure surpasses many larger states.
The report interprets this as evidence of effective training delivery once apprentices are onboarded. It suggests that Tripura’s implementation model currently emphasizes quality over scale.
Policy analysts say this strong completion performance provides a solid foundation. If the state can increase industrial participation while maintaining training standards, it could significantly enhance its apprenticeship ranking.
Modest Performance Under NATS
Under NATS, which primarily covers apprentices linked to higher education institutions, Tripura’s performance has remained modest over the past five financial years.
The state ranked:
- 27th in FY 2020–21
- 24th in FY 2021–22
- 25th in FY 2022–23
- 27th in FY 2023–24
- 27th again in FY 2024–25
These rankings reflect stagnation in higher-education-linked apprenticeship absorption. The report highlights the need for stronger collaboration between industries and technical institutions in the state.
Regional Disparities in Focus
As of FY 2024–25, India had more than 51,000 active establishments under NAPS. However, the report flags sharp regional disparities, particularly in the Northeast.
To address gaps in low-performing states like Tripura, NITI Aayog recommends:
- Cluster-based MSME engagement strategies
- Enhanced stipend support to attract apprentices
- Strengthening District Skill Committees
- Special incentives tailored for North Eastern states
The think tank emphasizes targeted interventions rather than uniform national approaches.
Roadmap for Improvement
For Tripura, the findings present a dual narrative—limited scale but high completion efficiency. Policymakers believe the state can leverage its strong completion rate to attract more establishments and expand apprenticeship opportunities.
The report calls for state-specific strategies aligned with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. It underscores the importance of structured work-based learning to unlock India’s demographic dividend.
If Tripura increases the number of active establishments and improves scheme penetration while sustaining quality outcomes, it could substantially improve its apprenticeship index position in the coming years.
The NITI Aayog report ultimately signals that while Tripura faces structural challenges, it also possesses the institutional capacity to build a more robust and inclusive apprenticeship ecosystem.
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