Payroll Outsourcing

Notification of the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025:

The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship vide File No.: MSDE-1/3/2024-AT, has released Notification of the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025 and introducing comprehensive changes to the existing rules governing apprenticeships.

1. Standardization of Educational Qualifications (Schedule IA)

One of the major changes introduced by the Apprenticeship Amendment Rules is the standardization of educational qualifications for different categories of apprentices. The new rules make it clear what the minimum educational requirements are for each category of apprenticeship, ensuring consistency across the country.

Key Points:

• Graduate Apprentice / Degree Apprentice
• Technician Apprentice (Diploma holders)
• Vocational Apprentice
• Optional Trade Apprentice

These apprentices must have qualifications that are recognized by regulatory bodies such as AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) or UGC (University Grants Commission), depending on the apprenticeship category.

This new framework ensures that apprenticeships are structured in a way that aligns with the education levels of trainees, making it easier for employers and training providers to assess candidates’ eligibility.

2. Mandatory Approval for Degree Apprentices (Rule 3(2)(ba))

A critical change for degree apprentices is the requirement for prior approval from the Apprenticeship Adviser before starting an apprenticeship program. This rule ensures that degree apprenticeships are pursued only after successfully passing the final exam of a recognized educational institution.

Key Points:

• Degree apprenticeships can only be undertaken after the final examination.
• Apprenticeship Adviser’s approval is mandatory before the apprenticeship contract is signed.

This provision ensures that apprenticeships align with academic structures and professional standards, promoting a more coherent transition from education to employment.

3. Reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs) (Rule 5(3))

The amendment takes significant strides in improving inclusivity by introducing reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBDs). This provision mandates that certain trades and job roles suitable for PwBDs must be identified, with reserved seats provided for them in those trades.

Key Points:

• Reserved seats for PwBDs in specific trades.
• If no suitable PwBD candidates are available, these seats can be filled by others who meet the minimum physical fitness norms (Schedule II).
• Employers are required to identify suitable job roles for PwBDs, promoting equal access to apprenticeship opportunities.

This amendment ensures that people with disabilities have the chance to participate in apprenticeships and gain skills that enhance their employability.

4. Revision of Apprenticeship Contracts (Rule 6)

To ensure that apprenticeship contracts are clear and consistent, the Apprenticeship Contracts have been updated. Apprenticeship contracts now follow specific templates, which define the duration, stipend, leave, and responsibilities of both the employer and apprentice.

Key Points:

• Schedule V: Contract templates for Designated Trades (Graduate, Technician, Vocational Apprentices).
• Schedule VI: Contract templates for Optional Trades.
• These schedules include updated terms and conditions for apprenticeships, ensuring transparency and consistency across various sectors.

Employers are now required to adhere to these updated contracts, ensuring fair terms for apprentices and reducing potential conflicts or misunderstandings.

5. Training Duration for Sandwich Course Apprentices (Rule 7)

The new rules have clarified the training duration for sandwich course students (degree apprentices), recognizing their practical training period as part of their apprenticeship training.

Key Points:

• The practical training that sandwich course students undergo can now be counted as their official apprenticeship period, aligning academic and apprenticeship durations.

This alignment allows for a smoother integration of academic programs with the apprenticeship framework, enhancing the employability of students.

6. Optional Trades – Inclusion & Structure

The Optional Trades, which offer flexibility in skilling and vocational training, have been given more structure under the new rules. The amendment introduces uniform terms of apprenticeship and a mandatory reservation for PwBDs in these trades.

Key Points:

• PwBD reservation applies to Optional Trades (Rule 7A(5A)).
• Apprenticeship terms for Optional Trades must be aligned with Schedule VI.

This provision further reinforces the inclusivity of the apprenticeship system, ensuring that apprentices in all trades have access to equal opportunities.

7. Revised Minimum Stipend Structure

The amendment introduces a significant increase in the minimum stipend for apprentices across various categories. This change helps apprentices receive compensation that better reflects current economic conditions.

New Minimum Stipend Structure:

Key Points:

• The revised stipend rates reflect the growing importance of apprenticeship programs as a route to skill development and employment.
• The increase in stipends aims to attract more individuals to apprenticeship schemes, particularly in sectors requiring technical skills.

8. Updated Schedules and Compliance Framework

The amendment revises several schedules to ensure greater clarity and compliance with the new rules. These schedules define various aspects of the apprenticeship system, such as educational qualifications, physical fitness standards, contract templates, and more.

Key Schedules Updated:

• Schedule IA: Lists educational qualifications for various categories of apprentices.
• Schedule II: Defines physical fitness standards for apprentices.
• Schedule IV: Includes zero minimum qualification trades and updated contract formats.
• Schedule V & VI: Provides contract templates and updated terms for designated and optional trades.

Employers, training providers, and apprentices must familiarize themselves with these schedules to ensure compliance with the new apprenticeship rules.

Implications for Stakeholders

For Employers:

• Compliance: Employers must ensure that apprenticeship contracts adhere to the updated formats and stipend structures.
• Identification of PwBD Roles: Employers must identify job roles suitable for PwBDs and allocate reserved seats accordingly.
• Qualification Alignment: Employers need to ensure that apprentices meet the newly standardized educational qualification criteria.

For Educational Institutions:

• Coordination with Industry: Educational institutions must align their programs with the updated apprenticeship criteria.
• Updating Certifications: Programs and certifications should reflect the new educational qualifications listed in Schedule IA.

For Apprentices:

• Know Your Rights: Apprentices should be aware of the updated stipend structure and contract terms.
• PwBD Opportunities: PwBD candidates should explore new opportunities in trades with reserved seats.

Effective Date 

The Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025 are effective immediately from the date of publication in the official gazette. All stakeholders are required to review the gazette notification and make necessary adjustments to their processes. 

Please refer the notification for more information:

Click here to read the notification

Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)

The PM-VBRY (Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana) is a scheme aimed at supporting employment generation, enhancing employability, and promoting social security. It focuses on job creation, particularly in the manufacturing sector, and provides benefits for both employees and employers. The scheme will be in effect for jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.

The Parts of the scheme are:

Part A- First Timer: It provides one time incentive of up to Rs 15,000/- to assist first timers in navigating their learning curve before they become fully productive. 

Part B- Support to Employers with focus on Manufacturing sector: It is an employer-focused Part of the scheme that supports creation of sustained additional employment in all sectors. It incentivizes employers for 02 years for the creation of additional employment. For the establishments engaged in the manufacturing sector, the incentives will be provided for 04 years.

Applicability of the Scheme to an Establishment:

All establishments including New Establishments as well as the Exempted establishments covered under EPF & MP Act, 1952, are eligible under the scheme, provided they file the ECR along with contributions regularly and fulfil other conditions of the scheme.

The period for registration under the scheme will be as following:

Note: All the existing establishments which are registered with EPFO and having a unique Employer’s code, would be considered deemed registered under the scheme w.e.f. 01.08.2025. However, such establishments would require to provide details of PAN, GSTN and PAN linked Bank Account Number of the employer.

Determination of baseline

The baseline under Part B for calculation of Net Additional Employment shall be as under:

Existing Establishment- For establishments registered with EPFO before 31.07.2024 and regularly filing ECRs with contributions, the baseline shall be the average number of employees as per ECRs filed for the 12-month period from 01.08.2024 to 31.07.2025. For establishments registered with EPFO between 01.08.2024 and 31.07.2025, the baseline will be the average number of employees as per ECRs for all the months up to 31.07.2025.

For availing the benefits of the scheme, the establishments are required to submit ECRs along with contributions for all the months from August 2024 or from the date of registration in EPFO, whichever is later, up to the wage month of July 2025. All these ECRs along with contributions are required to be filed by the establishments prior to 31st January 2026.

New Establishment: For those new Establishments which get registered with EPFO between 01.08.2025 and 31.07.2027, the baseline will be 20 as per the EPFO criterion for mandatory registration. However, only the additional jobs created over and above the baseline of 20 as per threshold criteria will be considered for incentive. The baseline shall not be subject to change after 6 months from the start of the scheme. However, in case a higher number of employees are shown in revised ECRs during these 6 months, the same will be considered for calculating baseline.

Part A of the PM-VBRY Scheme

Eligibility of employee under Part A:  For Part A, the First Timer in all the establishments, which are covered under EPF&MP Act, 1952 are eligible subject to fulfilment of the eligibility criteria as explained in the subsequent below mention.

All ‘First-Timers’ who had Gross wages up to Rs 1 Lakh at the time of joining the establishment registered with EPFO as well as exempted establishments, will be eligible for the incentive under this Part of the scheme, after filing of ECRs along with contributions for 6 continuous months. However, the establishments which are part of seasonal industry as defined in the EPF Scheme, 1952, ECRs for six months, irrespective of continuity of the ECR over a period of 12months would be considered for deciding the eligibility of the First Timer provided he/she continues with the same establishment for the entire period.

Further, for receiving the second instalment under Part A of the scheme, all the 12 months’ ECRs should have been filed within a period of 18 months from the date of joining of First Timer in the establishment.

Calculation of Incentive for First time employees under Part A:

The incentives under Part A to the First Timer shall be equivalent to the one completed month EPF wage, subject to a maximum of Rs 15,000/-

The incentives shall be payable in two instalments:

The 1st instalment will be up to a maximum of Rs 7,500/-, to be calculated as half of the average EPF wage for six continuous completed months and payable after filing of six completed months’ ECRs along with contributions.

The 2nd instalment, payable to the First Timer, will be equal to the average of the 12 completed months’ EPF wage reduced by 1st instalment and restricted to a total incentive of Rs 15,000. The 2nd instalment will be kept in an appropriate saving instrument/deposit account for a period to be specified in the guidelines which will be issued by M/o L&E in due course. The First Timer will become eligible for this part of incentive only after completion of the Financial Literacy program and filing of 12 completed months’ ECRs along with contributions by the establishment.

Registration Process - Employees

Generate UAN using Face Authentication Technology (FAT) via UMANG App.

Incentives to a First Timer under Part A will be admissible only if his UAN is authenticated by Face Authentication Technology on the UMANG App.

Incentives to the employers in respect of any Re-joinee will be admissible only if such Re-joinee has UAN which is Aadhaar Authenticated using biometric or face authentication technology.

How Employers Registration Under PM-VBRY Scheme

All establishments including New Establishments as well as the Exempted establishments covered under EPF & MP Act, 1952, are eligible under the scheme, provided they file the ECR along with contributions regularly and fulfil other conditions of the scheme.

Note: All the existing establishments which are registered with EPFO and having a unique Employer’s code, would be considered deemed registered under the scheme w.e.f. 01.08.2025. However, such establishments would require to provide details of PAN, GSTN and PAN linked Bank Account Number of the employer.

Determination of baseline for Establishment

The baseline under Part B for calculation of Net Additional Employment shall be as under:

Existing Establishment- For establishments registered with EPFO before 31.07.2024 and regularly filing ECRs with contributions, the baseline shall be the average number of employees as per ECRs filed for the 12-month period from 01.08.2024 to 31.07.2025. For establishments registered with EPFO between 01.08.2024 and 31.07.2025, the baseline will be the average number of employees as per ECRs for all the months up to 31.07.2025. For availing the benefits of the scheme, the establishments are required to submit ECRs along with contributions for all the months from August 2024 or from the date of registration in EPFO, whichever is later, up to the wage month of July 2025. All these ECRs along with contributions are required to be filed by the establishments prior to 31st January 2026.

For New Establishment:

For those new Establishments which get registered with EPFO between 01.08.2025 and 31.07.2027, the baseline will be 20 as per the EPFO criterion for mandatory registration. However, only the additional jobs created over and above the baseline of 20 as per threshold criteria will be considered for incentive. The baseline shall not be subject to change after 6 months from the start of the scheme. However, in case a higher number of employees are shown in revised ECRs during these 6 months, the same will be considered for calculating baseline.

Eligibility & Conditions

Must create additional jobs:

In the case of less than <50 employees: At least 2 new hires sustained for ≥ 6 months

In the case of more than ≥ 50 employees: At least 5 new hires sustained for ≥ 6 months.

Incentive Structure (Part B)

Incentive per new employee per month:

1,000 if salary is Rs 10,000

2,000 for Rs 10,000–20,000 salaries

3,000 for salaries up to Rs 30,000

Duration:

2 years for most sectors

Up to 4 years for manufacturing establishments

Registration Process

Visit official registration portals: pmvbry.epfindia.gov.in

Employer registration Process under Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)

PAN of establishment

GSTN

PAN-linked bank account

Note: Ensure monthly ECR filing and UAN generation for all employees using the UMANG app.

First-Time Employees Benefit & Register

Eligibility (Part A)

Must be a first-time EPFO-registered employee

Gross monthly salary must be up to Rs 1 lakh

Must take up a formal job created within scheme period (1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2027)

B. Incentives

One-time incentive of up to ?15,000 (esp. average one month’s basic+DA) paid in two installments:

First installment after 6 months of continuous employment

Second installment after 12 months, plus completion of a financial literacy module; part of payout placed in a savings instrument

C. How to Register Employee

Generate UAN using Face Authentication Technology (FAT) via UMANG app

Registration is automated via employer’s submission in EPFO portal—employee need not separately register

Alternatively, upload UAN on UMANG app or register on the portal to avail benefits

Brief Summary Under PM-VBRY Scheme

Click here to read the PMVBRY PDF

Click here to read the Registration Process

The Administrator of UT. Of Chandigarh vide No.ST/(CPI)/2025-26/3376, has issued Notification regarding revision of minimum rate of wages with effect from 01st April 2025. Please refer notification for more details.

Click here to read the notification 

Please take a printout of the enclosed minimum wage revision circular and prominently display it at the entrance of the office/factory premises so that all employees can easily read it.