Apprentices Act, 1961
An Act to provide for the regulation and control of training of apprentices and for matters connected therewith.
Chapter I: Preliminary
Chapter II: Apprentices and Their Training
- 3 Qualifications for being engaged as an apprentice 1 judgment
- 3A Reservation of training places for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in designated trades
- 3B Reservation of training places for Other Backward Classes in designated trades
- 4 Contract of apprenticeship 1 judgment
- 5 Novation of contract of apprenticeship
- 5A Regulation of optional trade
- 5B Engagement of apprentices from other States
- 6 Period of apprenticeship training 1 judgment
- 7 Termination of apprenticeship contract 1 judgment
- 8 Number of apprentices for a designated trade
- 9 Practical and basic training of apprentices
- 10 Related instruction of apprentices
- 11 Obligations of employers
- 12 Obligations of apprentices
- 13 Payment to apprentices
- 14 Health, safety and welfare of apprentices
- 15 Hours of work, overtime, leave and holidays
- 16 Employer‟s liability for compensation for injury
- 17 Conduct and discipline
- 18 Apprentices are trainees and not workers 2 judgments
- 19 Records and returns
- 20 Settlement of disputes 2 judgments
- 21 Holding of test and grant of certificate and conclusion of training 1 judgment
- 22 Offer and acceptance of employment 2 judgments
Chapter III: Authorities
- 23 Authorities
- 24 Constitution of Councils
- 25 Vacancies not to invalidate acts and proceedings
- 26 Apprenticeship Advisers
- 27 Deputy and Assistant Apprenticeship Advisers
- 28 Apprenticeship Advisers to be public servants
- 29 Powers of entry, inspection, etc
- 30 Offences and penalties for contravention of provisions of the Act or rules made thereunder 1 judgment
- 31 Penalty where no specific penalty is provided
- 31A Adjudication of penalties
- 32 Offences by companies
- 33 Cognizance of offences
- 34 Delegation of powers
- 35 Construction of references
- 36 Protection of action taken in good faith
- 37 Power to make rules
- 38 Repeal
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.