PM Internship Scheme: Only 6% joined companies against 1.53 lakh offers

Indian Express

2 days ago

PM Internship Scheme: With an offer acceptance rate of 33 per cent, only 6 per cent of students joined the companies under the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS). The Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, on Wednesday revealed the data to the Parliament in a written reply.
The scheme was introduced by the government in the 2024-25 Union Budget to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth in the top 500 companies within five years. The pilot project of the scheme was launched on October 3, 2024, with a target to provide 1.25 lakh internship opportunities to the youth in one year.
In round one of the PMIS, the partner companies posted more than 1.27 lakh internship opportunities, and more than 6.21 lakh applications were received from approximately 1.81 lakh candidates, as stated in the written reply. Partner companies made over 82,000 internship offers to more than 60,000 candidates, out of which over 28,000 candidates accepted the offers to join the internship, and over 8,700 candidates joined the internship.
The second round of the PM Internship Scheme Pilot Project, launched on January 9, 2025, witnessed participation from around 327 partner companies, which collectively offered over 1.18 lakh internship opportunities—comprising both newly introduced and previously unfilled roles—across 735 districts nationwide.
This round attracted more than 4.55 lakh applications from over 2.14 lakh aspiring interns. As of July 17, 2025, these partner companies have extended over 71,000 internship offers, with more than 22,500 already accepted. The process of offer roll-out and intern onboarding is currently underway.
The total number of candidates who have completed their profiles and registration process under the PMIS Pilot Project is over 3.38 lakh in Round I and 3.46 lakh in Round II.
Candidates who have completed their 10, 12, ITI, Polytechnic, or diploma courses are eligible to apply. Fresh graduates from non-premier institutions can also participate. For ITI applicants, a matriculation certificate, along with an ITI qualification in a relevant trade, is required.
Diploma holders must have completed their intermediate education along with an AICTE-recognised diploma. Degree holders must have a bachelor's degree from a UGC– or AICTE-recognised university. The age limit for applicants is between 18 and 24 years, with relaxations available for OBC, SC, and ST candidates.