- Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme’s Round 1 gave 82,000 offers with 8,700 youths joining.
- Over 621,000 applications came in Round 1, with strong participation from public and private sectors.
- Youths aged 21-24 with diplomas or degrees, not in full-time jobs or studies, are eligible; internships offer stipends and grants.
Prime Minister Internship Scheme is changing the future for millions of young Indians by providing valuable internship opportunities. Started in October 2024, this scheme aims to place 10 million youths over five years, helping build a workforce ready for future challenges. With an impressive Round 1 where 82,000 offers were made and 8,700 joined, the scheme is gaining speed. If you’re between 21 and 24 years old with a diploma or degree and not currently pursuing full-time education or employment, this opportunity could open doors for you.
Eligibility Criteria and Who Can Apply for the Prime Minister Internship Scheme
The scheme is made for young Indians aged 21 to 24 years who have completed schooling, diplomas, or degrees. To qualify, applicants should not be enrolled in full-time education or working at the time of application. This focus makes sure the internships reach youths eager to gain industry experience and skill development before fully stepping into the job market.
Application Trends and Selection Numbers from Rounds 1 and 2
Round 1 of the internship scheme got an impressive 621,000 applications from about 181,000 candidates. From these, 82,000 offers were sent out, 28,000 accepted them, and finally, 8,700 joined. These numbers show strong interest among youth, though actual joinings are still increasing.
The second round, started in January 2025, received 455,000 applications and gave out 71,000 offers. So far, 9,453 internships are either happening or completed. The data shows a healthy participation and signals wider acceptance of the scheme.
Role of Public and Private Sector Companies in the Internship Scheme
Both public and private sector companies play key roles in taking interns. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have taken about 58% of interns so far, offering 5,525 out of 9,453 slots. Top contributors include Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (841 internships), NTPC Ltd (685), and Indian Oil Corporation (344).
Private companies offered the remaining internships with notable contributors like HDFC Bank (490 internships in banking & finance), Reliance (104), Adani Group (66), Mahindra & Mahindra (96), and TCS (73). This variety in company participation gives interns a wide range of exposure across different industries.
Interestingly, 280 companies took part in Round 1, increasing to 327 companies in Round 2, showing growing corporate involvement.
Financial Details: Stipends, Grants, and Government Budget Plans
Financially, interns get a one-time grant of ₹6,000 plus a monthly stipend of ₹5,000. Of this stipend, the government provides ₹4,500, while companies contribute ₹500 from their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. Companies can choose to pay more, but only a few did in Rounds 1 (18 companies) and 2 (47 companies). For most, the stipend stayed at the minimum.
The budget for PMIS started at ₹2,000 crore in 2024-25 but dropped to ₹380 crore in revised estimates, with actual spending at ₹50 crore. Positively, the allocation rose significantly to over ₹10,800 crore in the 2025-26 budget, showing strong government backing.
Geographical Spread and Diversity in the Internship Program
Uttar Pradesh and Assam led with 1,067 and 1,408 internships respectively, making up over a quarter of the total placements. Other states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal also contributed with hundreds of internships – 209 and 467 respectively.
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates made up nearly 20% of applicants and got a slightly higher share of offers in Round 1 (21.7%). Though their offer share dropped to 16% in Round 2, applicants from these groups rose to 22%. The scheme requires fair representation in shortlisting, though the final selection is up to individual companies.
How to Apply for the Prime Minister Internship Scheme
If you want to apply, follow these simple steps:
- Go to the official website of the scheme at https://pminternship.mca.gov.in/
- Register yourself by creating a profile with your personal, educational, and contact details.
- Look through available internships suitable for your qualifications and preferences.
- Apply to selected internships by submitting your application through the portal.
- Check your application status and wait for offers.
- If offered, accept and join your internship as per the guidelines.
Keep your profile updated and prepare a good CV to improve your chances of selection.
By involving more and more youth, the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme is truly preparing India for the future, giving you a chance to sharpen skills, get corporate exposure, and build a solid career foundation.