What NATS is
The National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) is a Government of India scheme run under the Ministry of Education through the regional Boards of Apprenticeship Training. It places fresh graduates and diploma holders in paid, on the job training with companies and public sector organisations, usually for one year.
For a fresher, an apprenticeship solves the classic problem of every job asking for experience. You get a stipend, a real role in a known organisation and a government recognised certificate at the end.
Who can apply
Rules vary slightly by employer, so always read the specific notice. The common pattern in 2026 notices is:
- Graduates and diploma holders. Engineering graduates and diploma holders, and in many notices also non engineering graduates such as BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA and BCA.
- Recent pass outs. Most notices only accept candidates who graduated within roughly the last three to five years. For example, HAL Bangalore's 2026 notice for non engineering graduates required a degree awarded on or after 1 August 2021.
- No earlier apprenticeship. If you have already done, or are registered for, a NATS apprenticeship elsewhere, you are usually not eligible.
- Little or no work experience. Some notices exclude candidates with a year or more of work experience.
What the stipend looks like
The stipend depends on the employer and your qualification. A few examples from official 2026 notices:
- HAL Bangalore, non engineering graduates: ₹12,300 a month for one year.
- IIT Madras, engineering graduates and diploma holders: ₹22,000 a month for B.E. or B.Tech and ₹18,000 a month for diploma holders in the first year, marked as under revision.
Private companies set their own amounts within the scheme's rules, so check each posting.
How to apply
- Register on the NATS portal at nats.education.gov.in as a student. Keep your degree certificate, marksheets, Aadhaar linked bank account details and a photo ready.
- Complete your profile and note your enrolment number. Many employers ask for it.
- Find openings. Apply to establishments directly on the portal, and watch company careers pages and PSU notices that mention NATS.
- Attend the selection process. This can be a walk in, a written test or an interview depending on the employer.
- Sign the apprenticeship contract on the portal once selected.
Apprenticeships open right now
The Ucanly jobs board currently lists apprenticeships at Cengage in Noida (Project Coordinator and Media Designer, both through NATS), Fortrea in Bengaluru, Cushman & Wakefield in Mumbai and Amber in Pune. Each listing links to the official company page.
Is an apprenticeship worth it?
For most freshers, yes. A year at a known company gives you real work to talk about in interviews, references and a certificate that employers recognise. If you want more structured preparation alongside, our Professional Training, Internship and Placement Program combines mentor led training, a live project internship and interview preparation.
The main trade off is pay. Apprenticeship stipends are usually lower than a full time salary, so treat it as paid training that improves your next offer.