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).

Financials and Budget Allocation

• 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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.

Internship Details

• 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.

Online Nature of PM Internship Scheme

• 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.

Enhanced Features Introduced Post-Pilot Phase

• 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.