New Delhi, Aug. 5 -- New Delhi: The Centre has raised its apprenticeship target under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) by 40% to 600,000 students in 2026-27 from 428,000 a year ago, according to two people aware of the development. It has allocated Rs.1,250 crore for the scheme in the current fiscal year.

The government has also introduced a quality benchmark, requiring that at least 40% of apprentices be rated "good" or above by the industries where they undergo training.

The decision is part of the government's efforts to address growing discontent over youth unemployment and the widening gap between academic qualifications and industry requirements, especially after massive student protests that led to Dharmendra Pr...