Vidhi Codex

The Apprentices Act, 1961

The Apprentices Act, 1961

Labour196142 sections3 chapters

The Apprentices Act, 1961, is an Indian law that regulates the formal training and skill development of apprentices across various industries. It applies to employers in both public and private sectors, as well as individuals seeking practical experience, including graduates and vocational students who are at least fourteen years old. The Act ensures training follows standardized programs through formal contracts. It matters because it protects trainees by mandating minimum stipends, safe conditions, and reasonable work hours, while legally classifying them as students rather than employees. Ultimately, it seeks to create a highly skilled national workforce essential for sustainable industrial growth.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, extent, commencement and application.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter III AUTHORITIES →

  1. 23Authorities.
  2. 24Constitution of Councils.
  3. 25Vacancies not to invalidate acts and proceedings.
  4. 26Apprenticeship Advisers.
  5. 27Deputy and Assistant Apprenticeship Advisers.
  6. 28Apprenticeship Advisers to be public servants.
  7. 29Powers of entry, inspection, etc.
  8. 30Offences and penalties.
  9. 31Penalty where no specific penalty is provided.
  10. 32Offences by companies.
  11. 33Cognizance of offences.
  12. 34Delegation of powers.
  13. 35Construction of references.
  14. 36Protection of action taken in good faith.
  15. 37Power to make rules.
  16. 38Repeal.

APPRENTICES AND THEIR TRAINING →

  1. 3Qualifications for being engaged as an apprentice.
  2. 3AReservation of training places for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in designated trades.
  3. 3BReservation of training places for Other Backward Classes in designated trades.
  4. 4Contract of apprenticeship.
  5. 5Novation of contract of apprenticeship.
  6. 5ARegulation of optional trade.
  7. 5BEngagement of apprentices from other States.
  8. 6Period of apprenticeship training.
  9. 7Termination of apprenticeship contract.
  10. 8Number of apprentices for a designated trade.
  11. 9Practical and basic training of apprentices.
  12. 10Related instruction of apprentices.
  13. 11Obligations of employers.
  14. 12Obligations of apprentices.
  15. 13Payment to apprentices.
  16. 14Health, safety and welfare of apprentices.
  17. 15Hours of work, overtime, leave and holidays.
  18. 16Employer‟s liability for compensation for injury.
  19. 17Conduct and discipline.
  20. 18Apprentices are trainees and not workers.
  21. 19Records and returns.
  22. 20Settlement of disputes.
  23. 21Holding of test and grant of certificate and conclusion of training.
  24. 22Offer and acceptance of employment.

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