Rs 12,300 a month: Kerala University plans paid apprenticeships for FYUGP students

By TUF News Desk · Published 23 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

Rs 12,300 a month. That is the stipend a degree or BTech holder could earn under a new plan the University of Kerala has set in motion: six-month paid apprenticeships for eligible students of its four-year undergraduate programme (FYUGP).

The university has started preparations to introduce the apprenticeship opportunities under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS), in collaboration with the Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region), Ministry of Education. The aim is to give students practical workplace experience, build professional skills and improve their employment prospects before they finish their degrees.

How much students can earn

The stipend under the proposed plan depends on the student’s qualification:

• Degree and BTech holders: Rs 12,300 per month
• Diploma students: Rs 10,900 per month
• Vocational degree students: Rs 9,600 per month

The stipends apply while the student is under training. Students looking for other ways to fund their education can also read our guide on scholarships for Indian university students.

How it will roll out

The scheme will begin with the university’s own departments. In a later phase, it is proposed to extend the apprenticeships to affiliated colleges. Details on eligibility, participating departments, placements and the application process are expected after the required approvals come through.

The proposal still has one gate to cross. It is subject to approval by the university’s Academic Council and the completion of the required formalities, so nothing is final yet.

The plan is also part of a wider push. Higher Education Minister Roji M. John has announced an apprenticeship embedded degree programme for final-semester arts, science and commerce students, which is being implemented in the state from the current academic year.

Why this matters

The apprenticeship plan lands in a state where placements are thin on the ground. Under FYUGP, students must complete a four-to-six-week internship, yet with over 3.5 lakh students enrolled in arts and science colleges under Kerala’s four major universities in 2022-23 alone, there is no clear system to place them all. Most industries are concentrated in urban centres, and for students from government and aided colleges, relocating for an unpaid internship is often financially unrealistic. A paid, NATS-backed route addresses both the shortage and the cost problem at once, which is likely why the state government is pushing it from the current academic year itself.

What to watch for next

Students should watch the official University of Kerala website for the formal announcement once the Academic Council clears the scheme. Eligibility criteria, the list of participating departments and the application process will follow the approval.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Kerala University paid apprenticeship plan?

The University of Kerala plans six-month paid apprenticeships for eligible FYUGP students under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme, in collaboration with the Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region), Ministry of Education.

How much stipend will students get?

Degree and BTech holders will get Rs 12,300 a month, diploma students Rs 10,900, and vocational degree students Rs 9,600, while under training.

When will the scheme start?

No start date yet. The initiative is subject to Academic Council approval and the completion of the required formalities.

Who is eligible?

Eligible students of the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUGP). The scheme begins with University Departments and will be extended to affiliated colleges later.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: NDTV, Careers360, Jagran Josh, The New Indian Express