NEWS–  Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched NATS 2.0 Portal and disbursed Rs 100 crore stipends to apprentices through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

KEY FEATURES OF NATS 2.0 PORTAL

– Expected to attract a large number of beneficiaries for registration and application for apprenticeships.

– Establishments and industries can manage vacancies and contracts.

– Supports young graduates and diploma holders in acquiring employability skills.

– Guaranteed monthly stipend.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Mechanism

– Implemented to ensure timely, efficient, and transparent delivery of stipendiary benefits.

– Government’s share of stipend directly transferred to apprentices’ bank accounts.

NATS 2.0 Portal Development

– Developed in-house by Ministry of Education with support from AICTE and BoATs/BoPT.

– Facilitates managing apprenticeship lifecycle, including student registration, vacancy advertisements, and stipend disbursal through DBT.