Rule 7: Period of apprenticeship training

Rule purpose

Rule 7 operationalises section(s) 6 of the Apprentices Act and should be read with the applicable Schedule, curriculum, portal workflow and adviser directions.

Employer implementation

• Use the current portal fields and contract format, but retain an offline legal checklist so portal configuration does not become the only control.
• Map every apprentice to category, qualification, trade, duration, stipend, supervisor and approving authority.
• Keep dated screenshots/acknowledgements for registration, changes, termination, stipend and reporting.
• Escalate State/jurisdiction and adviser questions before onboarding rather than after a portal rejection.

Rule text extract

The bundled 1992 Rules PDF is an older consolidated source. The amendment overlay above controls where later Gazette changes apply.

7.   Period of Apprenticeship Training -
     (1)      The period of apprenticeship training in the case of trade apprentices
              referred to in clause (a) clause (aa) and clause (b) of Section 6 of the Act shall
              be as specified in Schedule-I.

     (1A)     The period of apprenticeship training in the case of trade apprentices referred
              to in clause (aa) of section 6 of the Act, shall be as specified in Schedule-I-B.

     (2)(a) Where a trade apprentice is unable to complete the full apprenticeship course
            within the periods prescribed in sub-rule (1) or to take the final test owing to
            illness or other circumstances beyond his control, the establishment
            concerned shall extend the period of his apprenticeship until he completes
            the full apprenticeship course and the next test is held if so required by
            the Apprenticeship Adviser, Similar extension of the period of training may
            also be allowed in the case of those trade apprentices who having completed
            the course, fail in the final test. A trade apprentice who fails in the second
            test shall not be allowed any extension of the period of training.
     (b)      (i)     Where a trade apprentice is unable to complete the period of
              apprenticeship training due to strike or lockout or layoff in an
              establishment where he is undergoing training and is not instrumental for the
              same, the period of his apprenticeship training shall be extended for a period
              equal to the period of strike or lockout or layoff , as the case may be, and he
              shall be paid stipend during the period of such strike or lockout or layoff or
              for a maximum period of six months, whichever is less;
              (ii)   If the strike or lockout or layoff is likely to continue for a longer
              period, the employer shall follow the procedure for novation of contract of
              apprenticeship of a trade apprentice referred to in clause (i) with the other
              employer as specified in section 5 of the Act.

       (2)    In the case of trade apprentices other than those covered by clause (a) of
              section 6 of the Act, the first six months of the period of training shall be
              treated as period of probation.

       3A(1)* Keeping in view seasonality in operation or business or flexibility desired by
              trade apprentice, a trade apprentice may complete his period of
              apprenticeship training within five years or double the duration of
              apprenticeship training whichever is less from the date of starting of his
              apprenticeship training.
       (2)    The flexibility referred to in sub-rule(1) shall be permissible in the
              following manner, namely:-
              (a)    Maximum one break for trades having duration two years or less than
                     two years;
              (b)    Maximum two breaks for trades having duration more than two years.

       (3)    The start and end date of his apprenticeship training shall be reported on
              portal-site by the employer.

       (4)(a) The period of apprenticeship training in the case of Engineering Graduates,
              Diploma holders and Vocational Certificate holders shall be one year.
         (b) In the case of Sandwich Course Students, the period of practical training they
             undergo as part of apprenticeship course of studies shall be the period of
             apprenticeship training.

        (c)   Where a Graduate/Technician/Technician (Vocational) Apprentice               is
              unable to complete the period of Apprenticeship Training due to
              strike/lockout/ layoff in as establishment where he is undergoing training and
              is not instrumental in the same, the period of his Apprenticeship Training
              would be extended equal to the period of strike/ lockout/ layoff and he
              shall be paid stipend during the period of such strike/ lock out / layoff or
              for a maximum period of six months whichever is less.
       (d)    If the strike/lock out/ lay off is likely to continue for a longer period, the
              employer shall follow         the procedure for novation of contract of
              apprenticeship for the apprentices referred to in clause (c) with the other
              employer as specified in section 5 of the Act.

Linked Act provisions

Read with section(s) 6. Also test enforcement under sections 30, 31 and 31A from 22 June 2026.