BOPT NATS Apprenticeship Scheme (West Bengal): Eligibility, Stipend and How to Apply
If you have just finished a degree or diploma and every job asks for "1 year experience", an apprenticeship can break that loop. You work inside a real company, learn on the job, get a monthly stipend, and finish with a government-recognised certificate. In eastern India, this runs through a body most students have only seen as a four-letter acronym: BOPT.
This guide explains what BOPT is, how the apprenticeship scheme it runs (NATS) works, who can apply, what the stipend looks like, and exactly how to register. At the end there is a free tool that checks whether a stipend offer meets the reported minimum.
What is BOPT?
The Board of Practical Training (BOPT) is a body under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It implements the Apprentices Act, 1961 for graduate and technician apprentices. There are four regional boards, in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Kanpur. The Eastern Region (BOPT-ER) is based in Kolkata and covers eastern and north-eastern India, which is why it matters for students in West Bengal.
BOPT is not a separate "scheme" of its own. The scheme is NATS. BOPT is the office that runs it in your region, approves apprenticeship contracts and handles the stipend process.
What is NATS?
The National Apprenticeship Training Scheme gives on-the-job training to young people who have completed formal education. A company (called an "establishment") signs a contract with you, trains you for a fixed period and pays you a stipend. The Government of India supports the scheme and shares part of the stipend cost with the employer.
- Who it is for: graduate (degree) and technician (diploma and vocational) candidates.
- Training period: commonly up to 12 months, depending on the category and the contract.
- What you get: a monthly stipend and a Certificate of Proficiency after completing the training.
- What you do not get: an apprentice is a trainee, not a regular employee, and the company is not obliged to give you a job at the end.
Who is eligible?
| Category | Who can apply |
|---|---|
| Graduate apprentice | Candidates with a degree. Since December 2021, general-stream graduates (for example B.A., B.Sc., B.Com.) are eligible too, not only engineers. |
| Technician (diploma) apprentice | Diploma holders, mainly in engineering and technology. |
| Technician (vocational) apprentice | Candidates with a vocational qualification as defined under the scheme. |
| Sandwich categories | Students whose course includes an apprenticeship period. These follow a separate registration path. |
You should generally have no prior work experience, and you must complete e-KYC verification. Each company can also set its own requirements for a particular opening, such as a stream, minimum marks or a skill.
How much is the stipend?
| Category | Earlier minimum (per month) | Revised minimum, as reported |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate (degree) | ₹9,000 | ₹12,300 |
| Technician (diploma) | ₹8,000 | ₹10,900 |
| Technician (vocational) | Lower than diploma | ₹9,600 |
- The company pays the stipend. The Central Government reimburses a share of it to the company, so the cost to the employer is lower.
- A company may pay more than the minimum. It cannot lawfully pay less.
- Stipend payments under BOPT-ER have been moving to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), so keep your bank account linked and verified.
- Future revisions are expected to be linked to inflation.
How to register and apply (step by step)
- Keep your documents ready. Aadhaar with a working linked mobile number, your degree or diploma marksheets in DigiLocker, and a bank account in your own name.
- Open the NATS 2.0 portal. Go to nats.education.gov.in and choose Student.
- Verify with Aadhaar OTP. Your basic details (name, date of birth, gender) are pulled in from UIDAI.
- Complete e-KYC and DigiLocker. The portal accepts verified certificates fetched from DigiLocker. Upload from there so they are accepted.
- Fill in your qualification and enrolment details and finish the profile.
- Browse openings. From your dashboard, look at apprenticeship advertisements posted by companies, and apply to the ones that match your stream and location.
- Wait for the company to shortlist you. If selected, the company and you sign an apprenticeship contract on the portal, which is then approved by the regional board.
- Do the training, keep your logs, and collect your certificate when the period ends.
Free tool: apprenticeship stipend checker
Is the offer fair? Enter your category and the stipend you were offered. Nothing leaves your browser.
Compares your offer with the reported revised minimums (₹12,300 graduate, ₹10,900 diploma, ₹9,600 vocational). The effective date and exact figures can change, so confirm on the NATS portal.
Registration readiness checklist
0 of 6 done
Benefits and limits (honest view)
| Benefits | Limits |
|---|---|
| Real work experience with a company | A stipend, not a salary, so it is usually lower than a regular job |
| Monthly stipend, with a legal minimum | The company need not offer you a job afterwards |
| Government-recognised Certificate of Proficiency | Openings depend on companies in your area and stream |
| Free registration on an official portal | Seats are competitive, so a strong profile helps |
Avoid fake agents
- Registration and applying on the NATS portal are free. Do not pay anyone for a "guaranteed apprenticeship seat".
- Do not share your Aadhaar OTP with an agent. You enter it yourself on the official portal.
- Never accept an offer below the minimum stipend or one that asks you to pay a "training fee" to the company.
- Use only the official domain, nats.education.gov.in.
Frequently asked questions
What does BOPT stand for?
Board of Practical Training. The Eastern Region office in Kolkata runs the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme for eastern and north-eastern India.
Is BOPT a scheme or an organisation?
It is an organisation under the Ministry of Education. The scheme it runs is NATS (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme).
Do I need to pay to register?
No. Student registration on the NATS portal is free. Be careful of anyone who asks for money.
Can a B.A., B.Sc. or B.Com. graduate apply?
Yes. Since December 2021, general-stream graduates are also eligible, on the same terms as engineering graduates.
How long is the training?
Commonly up to 12 months, depending on the category and the contract with the company.
Is an apprentice an employee?
No. An apprentice is a trainee under the Apprentices Act. The company does not have to keep you on after training.
Who pays the stipend?
The company pays it, and the Central Government reimburses a share to the company. Under BOPT-ER, payments have been moving to Direct Benefit Transfer, so keep your bank details verified.
Whom do I contact for problems?
Use the grievance option on the NATS portal for stipend or DBT issues, and the helpline numbers listed on the portal for general help. The Eastern Region number shown on the portal homepage is the one to use from West Bengal.
Official links
Looking for more government schemes explained in simple language? Read our guide to the Ayushman Bharat card in West Bengal.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.
Leave a Comment
Related Posts
West Bengal CM Announces Bharosa Scheme for Youth: What We Know
Bengal CM announces Bharosa scheme for youth. Amount, age and apply date are not official yet. Here is what we know so far and how to get ready. Updated Nov 2026.
Ayushman Bharat Hospital List West Bengal (2026): How to Find Empanelled Hospitals, Check Grading and Get Cashless Treatment
Find Ayushman Bharat hospitals in West Bengal by district. Search major hospitals, learn how to check NABH grading and eligibility, and confirm on the official portal.
Bhorsa Karmasathi (Yuva Shakti Bharosa) West Bengal 2026: ₹3,000 Monthly Allowance, Eligibility and How to Apply
Bhorsa Karmasathi (Yuva Shakti Bharosa) gives West Bengal’s unemployed youth ₹3,000 a month. See reported eligibility, documents and how to get ready. Free checker inside.
Need a system like this for your business?
Tell us what you're working with today and we'll show you what a custom system could look like — no obligation.