Section 11 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Section 11 sets out four obligations that every employer has in relation to an apprentice. They are to provide the training in the trade as the Act and rules require, to place a person with the prescribed qualifications in charge if the employer is not qualified, to provide adequate instructional staff, and to carry out the obligations under the contract of apprenticeship.
This article is based on the consolidated text of the Act consulted (amended up to Act 29 of 2014). Later amendments should be checked before you rely on it.
Without prejudice to the other provisions of the Act, every employer must (a) provide training in the trade in accordance with the Act and rules, (b) if not qualified in the trade, place a person with the prescribed qualifications in charge of the training, (bb) provide adequate instructional staff with prescribed qualifications and facilities for the trade test, and (c) carry out its obligations under the contract.
The four clauses
| Clause | Obligation | Where the detail sits |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | To provide the apprentice with the training in his trade in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the rules made under it | Sections 9 and 10 and the rules on period and training |
| (b) | If the employer is not himself qualified in the trade, to ensure that a person who possesses the prescribed qualifications is placed in charge of the training | Rule 9 and Schedule IV |
| (bb) | To provide adequate instructional staff, possessing such qualifications as may be prescribed, for imparting practical and theoretical training and facilities for trade test of apprentices | Rule 9A and Schedule IV A |
| (c) | To carry out his obligations under the contract of apprenticeship | The contract (section 4) |
The section opens with "Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Act", which means these four duties are in addition to the duties spread through other sections, not a complete list.
Clause (a): training in accordance with the Act and the rules
The employer must provide the training in the apprentice's trade. The standard is the Act and the rules, not the employer's own judgement. Section 9 deals with practical and basic training, and section 10 with related instruction. See our articles on section 9 (practical and basic training) and section 10 (related instruction). If you want a second pair of eyes on whether your training set-up matches what the Act expects, our labour law compliance team can review it.
Clause (b): a qualified person in charge
If the employer is not himself qualified in the trade, he must ensure that a person who possesses the prescribed qualifications is placed in charge of the training of the apprentice. The condition is "if the employer is not himself qualified in the trade", so an employer who is qualified in the trade may not need to place someone else in charge. The qualifications are "prescribed". They are set out in rule 9 of the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, with Schedule IV; see our article on Rules 6, 9, 9A, 10 and 14 of the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992. The words "who possesses the prescribed qualifications" are marked in the copy as substituted by Act 27 of 1973.
A company, firm or other organisation cannot itself be "qualified in the trade" in the ordinary sense. The Act does not explain how the clause is read for a company; it uses the words "the employer is not himself qualified". We therefore do not read anything into the clause beyond its words.
Clause (bb): instructional staff and trade test facilities
Clause (bb) is marked as inserted by Act 4 of 1997. It requires "adequate instructional staff", possessing such qualifications as may be prescribed, for imparting practical and theoretical training and facilities for the trade test of apprentices. The copy shows the clause inside a bracket that ends with "; and". The qualifications are in rule 9A and Schedule IV A of the Rules. The word "adequate" is not defined in the section, and the text does not give a ratio of staff to apprentices.
Clause (c): the contract
The employer must carry out its obligations under the contract of apprenticeship. The contract is made under section 4 and may contain terms agreed between the parties, so long as they are not inconsistent with the Act or the rules; see our article on section 4 (contract of apprenticeship and registration). A breach by the employer of its contractual obligations can lead to termination under section 7, with compensation as prescribed.
Where the other employer duties sit
Section 11 is a short list. Other duties of an employer are in other sections:
| Duty | Section |
|---|---|
| Make a contract before engagement and send it for registration | 4 |
| Arrange practical and basic training | 9 |
| Bear the cost of related instruction and treat class time as paid work | 10 |
| Pay the stipend; no piece work | 13 |
| Apply the health, safety and welfare provisions named in the Act | 14 |
| Hours of work, overtime and leave | 15 |
| Compensation for injury | 16 |
| Records and returns | 19 |
| Offer of employment after training | 22 |
This table is a map, not a summary of those sections; each is dealt with in its own article in this series. The four Labour Codes are in force from 21 November 2025; check the current position before relying on any other labour law.
Printing points
- The heading in the body is "Obligation of employers", while the contents list says "Obligations of employers".
- The clause (bb) bracket closes after "; and" and clause (c) follows.
- Footnote numbers for the section stand below the section on the page, as in the rest of the copy.
An example
Delta Fabrication has no one on its management who is qualified in the welding trade it wants to offer as a designated trade. Under clause (b), it must ensure that a person who possesses the prescribed qualifications is placed in charge of the training. It also appoints two instructors under clause (bb), checks their qualifications against the Rules, and arranges access for the trade test. Its HR manager, Priya, notes in the file that the contract signed under section 4 sets out the stipend and the period, so clause (c) is met only if Delta performs those terms.
Need help meeting employer duties toward apprentices?
Meeting section 11 means having the right people, the right training and the right contract, in place before the first apprentice starts. Our labour law compliance team can help you test your arrangements against the Act and the Rules.
Key takeaways
- Section 11 lists four employer obligations: training, a qualified person in charge, adequate instructional staff and performance of the contract.
- The qualifications in clauses (b) and (bb) are "prescribed" and sit in rules 9 and 9A with Schedules IV and IV A.
- The obligations are "without prejudice to the other provisions of this Act".
- Other employer duties are in sections 4, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19 and 22.
- Failure to carry out the contract can lead to termination and compensation under section 7.
Read next
- Section 12: obligations of apprentices
- Section 9: practical and basic training of apprentices
- Rules 6, 9, 9A, 10 and 14: contract, registration, trainers and records
- Labour law compliance checklist for employers
Disclaimer: Based on a consolidated text of the Apprentices Act, 1961 amended up to Act 29 of 2014, on the Gazette of India copy of the Apprentices (Amendment) Act, 2014, and on a consolidated copy of the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 in which the latest amendment marked is dated 20 January 2017, as consulted on 2 October 2026. Stipend rates and other figures are as printed in those texts and may have been revised; later amendments and the position under the Labour Codes in force from 21 November 2025 should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.