Employment and Training

The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959 has been repealed, and its provisions relating to vacancy notification have been incorporated into Chapter XIII of the Code on Social Security, 2020, under which "career centers" replace employment exchanges. Pursuant to the notification dated 8 May 2026, establishments (including those in the private sector) are also required to notify vacancies to the designated career centers, subject to the exemptions prescribed therein, including vacancies carrying total monthly remuneration below INR 11,000.

The Apprentices Act, 1961 (Apprentices Act) aims to provide practical training to technically qualified persons in various trades. The objective is to promote new and skilled manpower. The scheme is also extended to engineers and diploma-holders. The Apprentices Act requires employers to hire apprentices in certain designated trades as notified by the government. The Apprentices Act specifies the obligations of employers and apprentices, the standard of education/physical fitness, duration of training, terms and conditions of the contract, payment, health, safety, welfare, working hours, etc. The Apprentices Act makes it obligatory for employers to engage apprentices in “designated trades” and “optional trades” for all employers who have a workforce of 30 (thirty) employees or above (sum of total regular and contract employees), across all sectors. Pursuant to the recommendations of the 38^th Central Apprenticeship Council, and notified via circular dated 13 May 2026 by the Board of Apprentice Training, Western Region, Mumbai, the prescribed stipend band has been revised upward by approximately 36%, from INR 7,000–INR 9,000 to INR 9,600–INR 12,300 per month.