(Image: DhruvStar Industry Insights | Original Artwork)
PM Internship Scheme Explained
The PM Internship Scheme (PMIS) was announced in the Union Budget 2024 to provide internship opportunities to 1 crore youth across the top 500 Indian companies over 5 years.
The PM Internship Scheme comes under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. In October 2024, the Ministry launched a pilot project for the scheme, aiming to create 1.25 lakh internship opportunities in a year.
The PM Internship Yojana aims to create an arrangement in which companies offer students practical training and exposure to real-world workplace settings. The scheme complements academic learning, builds industry-relevant skills, and improves the employability of young graduates.
Here are the essential details of the PM Internship Scheme 2025:
1) PM Internship Scheme Outlay
The PM Internship Scheme outlay was pegged at INR 840 crore for the pilot project, which was later revised to INR 380 crore for FY 2024-25. Of this, INR 73.72 crore has been utilised so far.
2) PM Internship Scheme Duration
The PM Internship Scheme duration is for 12 months. At least 50% of the internship must involve hands-on work in the company.
3) PM Internship Scheme Eligibility
- Indian citizen.
- Age: 21-24 years (as of the last application date).
- Not in full-time employment.
- Not enrolled in full-time education (online/distance learners are eligible).
- Minimum education: High School / Higher Secondary / ITI / Polytechnic Diploma / Graduation (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, BCA, B.Pharma, etc.).
- Annual family income: ≤ INR 8,00,000.
- No family member (self/spouse/parent) must be in a Government job.
4) PM Internship Scheme Benefits
- 12-month industry experience with India’s leading companies.
- Monthly financial assistance of INR 4,500 from the Government and INR 500 from the host company.
- One-time grant of INR 6,000 to support incidental and onboarding expenses.
- Opportunity to build workplace skills, gain professional exposure and improve long-term employability.
Read More: Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) Initiative
Performance of the PM Internship Scheme
The PM Internship Yojana’s pilot phase exceeded its target of creating 1.25 lakh internship opportunities, but uptake among youth remained low.
According to data presented to Parliament, companies extended 1.65 lakh internship offers across two phases, yet only 20% were accepted. Even among those who joined, about one-fifth of interns left before completing their internships.
Many candidates declined due to a mismatch in location, job roles, or internship duration.
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(Image: DhruvStar Industry Insights | Original Artwork)
PM Internship Scheme: Challenges
Parliamentary data and subsequent media analysis highlight that candidates frequently declined offers due to location, job role and internship duration.
1) Location, Duration, and Cost Barriers
Reports note that many internships are offered in metro areas for 12 months, while monthly stipends are often insufficient to cover relocation and living costs. Hence, city-based postings, long duration (12 months) and limited financial support make it difficult for students from low- and middle-income households to participate.
2) Role Clarity and Career Value
Student feedback indicates concerns about unclear job roles that are not always aligned with students' goals.
3) Possible Awareness and Readiness Gaps
A segment of eligible youth may not fully understand the scheme or its career benefits, thereby reducing both participation and completion rates.
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DhruvStar Industry Insights: What it Means for Academia-Industry Collaboration
1) Regional Expansion
Expanding partnerships beyond major metros can help students access opportunities closer to home. Companies and universities could jointly build regional clusters that reduce relocation barriers and widen participation.
2) Data-Driven Internship Design
Regular feedback from interns and employers can help refine role structures, training plans, and skill expectations, improving alignment between academic preparation and workplace needs.
3) Co-Funded Support Models
Co-funded / institution-backed / CSR-backed support for accommodation or transport can make 12-month internships more viable for students from low- and middle-income households.
PM Internship Scheme FAQs
Q1) PM Internship Scheme is under which Ministry?
A1) The PM Internship Scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
Q2) What is the eligibility criteria for the PM Internship Scheme?
A2) PM Internship eligibility criteria include:
- Indian citizen
- Age: 21-24 years (as of the last application date)
- Not in full-time employment
- Not enrolled in full-time education (online/distance learners are eligible)
- Minimum education: High School / Higher Secondary / ITI / Polytechnic Diploma / Graduation (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, BCA, B.Pharma, etc.)
- Annual family income below INR 8,00,000
- No family member (self/spouse/parent) must be in a Government job
Q3) Top companies offering PM Internship Scheme in India?
A3) Top companies offering PM Internship Scheme in India include Power Grid Corporation of India, Jubilant FoodWorks, Vedanta, HDFC Bank, Bayer CropScience, NTPC, etc.
Sources
[1] My Scheme
[2] The Hindu
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