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Himachal Pradesh Adds Apprenticeship Degrees Across 16 Government Colleges
Himachal Pradesh wants college students to learn both in classrooms and at workplaces.
It has signed an agreement to start special degree programmes in 16 government colleges.
The programmes are expected to begin in the 2026-27 academic session, although officials also say the first phase has already started.
Students can study banking, retail operations or logistics through BCom courses.
Each student must complete at least six months of apprenticeship training.
Apprentices will receive a guaranteed minimum stipend of Rs 10,900 per month.
So far, 685 students are enrolled in the three programmes.
The government may later add more colleges and other subjects such as BA and BSc.
Himachal Pradesh signed an MoU to introduce Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes in 16 government colleges.
The programmes are scheduled for the 2026-27 academic session, although the article says first-year implementation has already begun.
Three BCom courses launched initially: Banking, Financial Services and Insurance; Retail Operations Management; and Logistics.
A mandatory apprenticeship of at least six months will provide students with workplace experience and a minimum stipend of Rs 10,900 monthly.
A total of 685 students are enrolled, with the state considering expansion to more colleges and possibly BA and BSc programmes.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh’s Higher Education Department, the Board of Apprenticeship Training (Northern Region), Kanpur, and Education Minister Rohit Thakur.
- What
- An agreement was signed to implement Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes in 16 government degree colleges.
- Where
- Himachal Pradesh, with the agreement signed in Shimla.
- When
- The programmes are associated with the 2026-27 academic session; the article also says first-phase implementation has commenced.
- Why
- To combine recognised undergraduate degrees with workplace training, narrow the gap between classroom education and industry needs, and improve employment opportunities.
Key facts
- Participating colleges
- 16 government degree colleges
- Initial programmes
- BCom in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance; BCom in Retail Operations Management; and BCom in Logistics
- Apprenticeship requirement
- At least six months in an industry
- Minimum stipend
- Rs 10,900 per month
- Current enrolment
- 685 students
- Approved courses
- Five AEDP courses have been approved, with three launched in the first phase
- Potential expansion
- The department may extend the programmes to more colleges and examine similar programmes in BA and BSc
Quotes
Rohit Thakur
Himachal Pradesh Education Minister
“The programmes combine academic learning with a mandatory apprenticeship component of at least six months in an industry, with students being provided a minimum guaranteed stipend of Rs 10,900 per month.”
freepressjournal.in
“In the first year of implementation, 16 government degree colleges have commenced AEDPs with 685 students enrolled across the three programmes and more would be enrolled in the coming years.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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