Central government has introduced the Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS) to support young individuals. Through this initiative, the government aims to offer industry-based apprenticeship training, helping youth secure meaningful employment and contribute to national growth. These opportunities are available to general stream graduates who completed their studies by April 2026, facilitated via the National Apprenticeship Promotional Scheme (NAPS).
The primary goal of the SHREYAS Scheme is to boost the job prospects of Indian youth by offering practical work experience and a stipend. This initiative serves as a major push to make university students more skilled, capable, and ready to meet the evolving needs of the modern economy.
This program targets students enrolled in non-technical degree courses, aiming to integrate employable skills into their curriculum and promote apprenticeship as a core component of higher education. Furthermore, it seeks to align government-led job facilitation efforts directly with the educational system to ensure graduates transition smoothly into the workforce.
SHREYAS Scheme 2026 Launched by Central Government
The SHREYAS initiative combines the efforts of three ministries: the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the Ministry of Labour & Employment, and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. This will be implemented through the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), the National Career Service (NCS), and the introduction of professional B.A., B.Sc., and B.Com. degree paths within higher education institutions.
SHREYAS Portal
The SHREYAS portal allows educational institutions and businesses to register and report their apprenticeship supply and demand. Matching students to apprenticeship roles will be based on specific eligibility requirements. The primary focus is ensuring that all general degree graduates from April 2026 gain access to industry and service sector apprenticeship opportunities.
Additionally, Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) have identified over 100 NSQF-aligned job roles across fields like IT, Retail, Logistics, Tourism, Healthcare, Banking, Electronics, Media, and Management, which graduates can pursue. These courses were made available starting April-May 2026. Approximately 40 higher education institutions have partnered to offer embedded apprenticeship programs. The MHRD and the Ministry of Skill Development have also launched seven degree apprenticeship curricula, including BBA and B.Voc courses, led by six major Sector Skill Councils.
SHREYAS Programme 2026 Details
Key features and highlights of the SHREYAS program include the following:
Objectives of the SHREYAS Scheme
- Enhancing student employability by incorporating employment-focused learning into higher education.
- Establishing a sustainable connection between academic institutions and the industry/service sectors.
- Providing students with high-demand skills in a rapidly changing market.
- Creating an "earn-while-you-learn" model within the higher education framework.
- Assisting businesses and industries in