PM Internship Scheme

Context (TH): PM Internship Scheme announced during the Budget speech was recently launched.

About PM Internship Scheme

Main Goal: To provide 1 crore youth with internships over five years in top 500 companies, providing a valuable bridge between academic learning and industry expectations.
Enhancement of Employability: The scheme is aimed at enhancing youth employability through real-world hands-on job experience & focuses on skill development across multiple sectors.
Part of Atmanirbhar Bharat: Contributes to India’s vision of self-reliance by nurturing a skilled workforce, positioning India as the “Skill Capital of the World.”
Managed by: Managed through an online portal by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

Overall Budget: ₹2 lakh crore allocated under the PM’s Package for Employment and Skilling.
Scheme-Specific Allocation: ₹2,000 crore for 2024-25, with a revised estimate of ₹380 crore for 2024-25 and ₹10,831 crore allocated for 2025-26.

Source: MCA

Inclusions: Youth aged 21-24 years who are not in full-time education or full-time employment.

Educational Requirements: Candidates must have completed intermediate and hold certificates from ITI/polytechnic institutes, an AICTE-recognized diploma, or a bachelor’s degree.
Reservation: Same reservation structure as govt jobs for SCs, STs, OBCs, and disabled candidates.

Exclusions: Candidates from IITs, IIMs, and those holding advanced degrees (MBA, CA) are ineligible; Candidates whose family member (self/ spouse/ parent) either earning 8 lakh per annum or having a govt job; those enrolled in any Central/State Govt apprenticeship, skill or training schemes are ineligible.

Target Internships: Includes 25 sectors like pharma, auto, agriculture, healthcare, leather manufacturing, textile, telecom, oil, gas & energy, travel & hospitality, banking & financial services, etc.
Internship Duration: 12-month internships are offered.
Stipend: ₹5,000 per month (Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of ₹4,500 from the government and ₹500 from the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund.
Support for Incidentals: A one-time ₹6,000 grant to cover incidental expenses.
Insurance: Interns are covered under PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana & PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.

The PM Internship Scheme is primarily an online initiative, enabling a seamless application, selection, and internship management process.
Candidates apply, get shortlisted, and undergo virtual interviews via the official portal. Internships often include online onboarding, training, mentorship & remote work, ensuring accessibility and efficiency.

By operating primarily online, the scheme adapts to modern work environments and provides a flexible, inclusive opportunity for young professionals to gain invaluable experience.

Geotagging of Locations: New features like geotagging and company details will be included for improved transparency.
Candidates can now apply for up to 3 internships anywhere in India.
Improved PMIS Portal: A simplified and user-friendly dashboard with detailed internship listings.
Performance Framework Introduced: A system to assess implementation and recognise states and UTs for their efforts in promoting PMIS.
Nationwide Awareness Campaign at colleges and Rozgar Melas to increase participation.
Helpline & Grievance Redressal: A multilingual helpline and grievance redressal system will be provided.