PM internship Scheme attracts more youth, skills training varies
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India’s Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) saw a 67% to 100% increase in youth participation in its third round after the government expanded the program to include more businesses and increased financial support.
Launched in October 2024, the scheme originally targeted young people aged 21 to 24 who were not currently employed or in full-time education. Recent changes broadened eligibility to include those aged 18 to 25 with various educational backgrounds, and shortened internship lengths to six or nine months.
The government increased the monthly stipend to Rs 9,000, supplementing it with Rs 500 from company funds, and provides a one-time allowance for expenses. While more young people are joining the PMIS, the joining rate rose from 6.1% in Round I to 9.5% in Round III, completion rates remain a concern, with only 42.6% of interns finishing in Round I and 39.4% in Round II.
Some interns, like Padma from Vijayawada, benefited from structured training and secured full-time jobs after completing the program. Others, such as Sunil from Ranchi, found their internships involved tasks like loan recovery that did not align with their skills or career goals and left early. Officials and industry leaders emphasize the need for interns to take the opportunities seriously and for companies to provide meaningful skills development.
