The Indian Central government has launched the pilot phase of the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, designed to tackle youth unemployment by offering 1.25 lakh internships during the 2024-25 fiscal year. Over the next five years, the initiative aims to provide internships to 1 crore young people, giving them valuable workplace experience to enhance their employability.
This large-scale program aligns with the government’s focus on skill development and aims to bridge the gap between formal education and real-world work experience. By offering internships in diverse sectors, the scheme will help young professionals gain practical knowledge and skills, making them more attractive to potential employers.
Key Features of the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme
Internship Opportunities for 1 Crore Youth
The scheme’s overarching goal is to provide internships to 1 crore young people over five years. The pilot phase, which commenced in 2024, will offer 1.25 lakh internship opportunities, marking the beginning of this ambitious initiative. These internships are structured to help participants build practical skills that will improve their chances of securing employment upon completion of the program.
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure the scheme benefits those who need it the most, specific eligibility criteria have been established. Applicants must be between 21 and 24 years of age, and they should not be engaged in full-time employment. Individuals from families with government employees are not eligible to apply. Additionally, graduates from prestigious institutions such as IITs, IIMs, or those holding professional qualifications like CA or CMA are excluded from the program. However, the scheme remains inclusive for youth trained at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Kaushal Kendras (skill centers), ensuring opportunities for those with vocational or skill-based training.
Financial Support and Structure
Participants selected for the internship will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 4,500, with an additional Rs. 500 contributed by companies under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. To cover incidental expenses, interns will also receive a one-time financial assistance of INR 6,000.
The government will provide insurance coverage under programs like PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, with the premium covered by the government, ensuring the interns’ financial security during the internship period.
The program will span over two phases, with the first phase in 2024-25, targeting internships for 10 million youth over five years. Each internship lasts 12 months, and at least 50% of the program will focus on hands-on work, ensuring participants gain substantial practical experience.
Corporate Participation and Real-World Exposure
The success of the internship program hinges on strong corporate partnerships. Companies selected based on their CSR activities over the past three years, such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Max Life, Wipro, Accenture, HDFC , Alembic Pharma, etc have already extended more than 1,000 internship offers. As the scheme progresses, more companies, banks, and financial institutions are expected to participate.
Firms that cannot accommodate interns in-house can collaborate with their suppliers, customers, or partners to create opportunities. This collaborative approach allows for a wide variety of internship opportunities across different sectors and industries.
Timeline and Registration Process
The registration window for the pilot phase will be open from October 12 to October 25, 2024. Once the applications are received, selected candidates will be notified between October 27 and November 7, 2024. Offers will be issued between November 8 and November 15, with the first batch of interns expected to begin work on December 2, 2024.
Application Process
To apply for the PM Internship Scheme 2024, follow these steps:
- Visit the official website: pminternship.mca.gov.in.
- Click on the register link to access the application page.
- Fill in the required registration details and submit.
- The portal will generate a resume based on the information provided.
- Apply for up to 5 internship opportunities, selecting based on preferences such as location, sector, functional role, and qualifications.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the primary objective of the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme?
The scheme aims to provide internships to 1 crore young people over the next five years, helping them gain valuable workplace experience and improving their employability.
- Who is eligible for the scheme?
Individuals aged 21 to 24, who are not engaged in full-time employment and do not belong to families with government employees, can apply. Graduates from IITs, IIMs, or those with CA or CMA qualifications are not eligible.
- What financial support is offered under the scheme?
Participants receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 4,500 from the government and an additional Rs. 500 from companies through CSR initiatives. A one-time financial assistance of INR 6,000 is also provided to cover incidental expenses.
- How long does each internship last?
Each internship lasts for 12 months, with at least 50% of the program dedicated to hands-on work experience.
- How can companies participate in the scheme?
Companies can participate voluntarily based on their CSR spending over the past three years. They can offer in-house internships or collaborate with their value chain partners to create opportunities.
