Maharashtra Govt To Introduce Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree Programmes In 2025-26

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved the implementation of the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) across all non-agricultural public universities and their eligible affiliated colleges from the academic year 2025-26, in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The government resolution (GR), issued by the Higher and Technical Education Department, states, “The government hereby grants approval for adopting the guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission in relation to the implementation of AEDP in higher education institutions.” It further directs universities to “commence implementation from the academic year 2025-26 in all eligible non-agricultural universities and affiliated colleges.”

As per the resolution, each university is required to enrol “a minimum of 300 students under the AEDP” in the first year of implementation. The GR notes that the decision has been taken considering the discussion in the state-level steering committee and a workshop held on April 16, and highlights the goal of reducing the gap between “academic learning and practical training” while providing “industry-aligned, skill-based education to increase employment opportunities for students.”

The programme aims to create closer academia-industry collaboration. “Apprenticeship, which combines on-the-job practical training with academic instruction in relevant subjects, can serve as an effective medium to bridge the education-to-employment divide,” the resolution notes.

Referring to NEP 2020’s emphasis on integrating vocational education into mainstream curricula, the GR reads, “Different models of vocational education, and apprenticeships, will also be experimented by higher education institutions.”

A senior official in the Higher and Technical Education Department said, “This marks a major shift in the way degree programmes will be delivered in Maharashtra. It’s no longer about classroom learning alone. With direct exposure to industry, students will graduate with hands-on experience, making them far more employable.”

To facilitate smooth execution, universities have been instructed to obtain approvals from their Academic Councils and Boards of Studies at the earliest. The GR acknowledges the tight timeline and urges stakeholders to act swiftly: “Given the limited time available for partnership formation, curriculum development, and industry engagement, these matters must be addressed at the Board of Studies level without delay.”

The guidelines stipulate that apprenticeship must be embedded within the degree structure but not undertaken in the first semester. Instead, “the last semester of the AEDP shall be dedicated to apprenticeship,” ensuring students spend adequate time in real work environments.

Stipend arrangements will vary depending on whether the programme is conducted via direct industry collaboration or through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal.

In a warning to institutions, the government adds that violation of the guidelines could result in penalties, including “debarment from UGC schemes, removal from recognised university lists, and restrictions on degree offerings.”