The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) is a landmark initiative launched by the Indian government to provide 12-month internship opportunities to young individuals across India’s top 500 companies. Announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, this program aims to bridge the gap between academic education and real-world industry experience. By offering structured internships, the scheme ensures that young Indians, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, gain valuable skills, industry exposure, and financial support to enhance their employability.
The scheme is designed for individuals aged 21 to 24 years who have a minimum educational qualification of Class 10 and are not engaged in full-time employment. To ensure that opportunities reach those who need them the most, applicants must belong to families with an annual income of ₹8 lakh or below. However, graduates from prestigious institutions like IITs and IIMs, as well as individuals holding professional qualifications such as CA or CMA, are not eligible for the program. By focusing on a more inclusive pool of candidates, the initiative aims to provide a fair chance to aspiring professionals who may not have access to premier educational or employment opportunities.
One of the biggest attractions of the PM Internship Scheme is its financial assistance. Each selected intern receives a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for 12 months, along with a one-time financial aid of ₹6,000 to help cover basic expenses. Additionally, all interns are provided with insurance coverage under government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, with the government covering the insurance premiums. These financial benefits ensure that candidates can focus on their professional development without facing financial burdens.
The internships span 24 key sectors, including banking, financial services, oil and gas, energy, automotive, travel, and hospitality. To maintain ethical workplace practices, companies participating in the scheme have been selected based on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending over the past three years. The structure of the internship mandates that at least 50% of the total duration must be spent in real-world business settings, allowing interns to gain hands-on work experience that will significantly boost their career prospects.
Since its launch in October 2024, the PM Internship Scheme has already provided internship opportunities to over 28,000 candidates, with the second phase of registrations currently underway. Interested candidates can apply until March 12, 2025, by visiting the official portal pminternship.mca.gov.in. The application process involves online registration, selection of internship opportunities, and shortlisting based on eligibility criteria.
This initiative is a transformative step toward ensuring that India’s youth are not just academically qualified but also industry-ready. With a long-term vision of facilitating one crore internships over five years, the PM Internship Scheme stands as a pivotal effort in strengthening India’s workforce. By investing in the country’s young population, the government is laying the foundation for a more skilled, employable, and economically empowered India. For young professionals looking to kickstart their careers, this scheme presents an unparalleled opportunity to gain valuable industry exposure, financial support, and a stepping stone toward long-term professional success.
