The context
Data from the 79th Round of the NSS Survey reveals that around 25% of Indian youth aged 15-29 are neither in education, employment, nor training. This marks an improvement from the 33% recorded in the 78th Round. At a state level, Tamil Nadu stands out with the most significant improvement, reducing its youth disengaged from education and work by about 16 percentage points. It is followed by Kerala (14 percentage points) and Telangana (13.7 percentage points). Uttar Pradesh, however, saw the smallest improvement, with only a 2.6 percentage point reduction, trailing behind Chhattisgarh at 3.8 percentage points. Jharkhand, on the other hand, is the only state to witness a marginal increase in the percentage of youth disengaged from education, employment, and training, rising from 28.2% to 28.5% between the 78th and 79th rounds.
Despite government initiatives like the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), there are challenges in the skilling and entrepreneurship landscape, including low public perception on skilling, mismatch between demand and supply, and limited mobility between skill and higher education/vocational programs. As per PLFS annual report for 2020-21, only 3.3% of all of India’s workers between age 15 to 59 years received any formal vocational training and another 13.6% received informal training in various ways. Thus, there is great need to enhance opportunities for training as well as on-the-job experience through internships. It is in this context that the Government of India launched the PM Internship Scheme.
The promise
As per the Government of India website https://pminternshipscheme.com/, the PM Internship Scheme, launched by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, aims to provide young individuals aged 21-24 years from low-income households with 12-month internship opportunities in the country’s top 500 companies.
The pilot phase targets 1.25 lakh youth, with a five-year goal to facilitate internships for one crore young individuals. This initiative is not just about internships; it’s about building a future where every youth has the chance to succeed.
As announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, the scheme began with a pilot project for the financial year 2024- 25, targeting 1.25 lakh internships. These internships span 24 sectors, including oil, gas, energy, travel, hospitality, automotive, banking, and financial services.
Companies participating in this pilot were selected based on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending over the last three years, ensuring participants are placed with socially and ethically responsible organizations.
This groundbreaking initiative empowers India’s youth by providing real-world work experience, bridging the gap between academic learning and practical work environments. Whether you’re a recent graduate or still in your educational journey, this scheme offers a valuable stepping stone to kickstart your career.
The eligibility was as follows
- ITI: Matriculation + ITI in relevant trade
- Diploma: Intermediate + AICTE-recognized diploma
- Degree: Bachelor’s degree from UGC/AICTE-recognized university
- Age: 18 to 24 years (relaxation for OBC/SC/ST)
The benefits offered were as follows
- ₹5,000 monthly stipend
- One-time payment of ₹6,000
- Insurance coverage under Jyoti Bima Scheme, and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana
In Round 1 (Oct–Dec 2024), 280 companies across 25 sectors posted 1.27 lakh opportunities in 745 districts, leading to 82,000+ internship offers across diverse sectors, including:
- Automobile | Banking & Finance | Healthcare | IT & Software
- Manufacturing | Retail & Consumer Durables | Telecom | Pharmaceuticals
- Travel & Hospitality | Infrastructure & Construction | Media & Education Round II started in January 2025. The website states that:
- 327 companies have posted more than 1.18 lakh internships
- Applications remain open until March 31
The following companies offered internships in numbers shown in the second column
On March 17, 2025, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a dedicated mobile application for the Prime Minister Internship Scheme and asked more companies to join the programme. Here are the key features of this newly launched PMIS App:
- Intuitive interface with a clean design and effortless navigation Easy registration through Aadhaar face authentication
- Effortless navigation – Eligible candidates can sift through opportunities by location etc. Personalized dashboard
- Access to a dedicated support team
- Real time alerts to keep candidates abreast of new updates
The PMIS app features a user-friendly interface, Aadhaar-based face authentication for quick registration, and instant notifications on new opportunities. Speaking at the launch, Sitharaman highlighted that the scheme aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, thereby enhancing youth employability. She also urged industry leaders to actively participate in building a skilled workforce.
The performance
Here’s the reality check:
- 1.27 lakh internship opportunities offered by companies across 745 districts.
- 6.21 lakh applications received from 1.8 lakh candidates.
- 82,000 internship offers made,
- 28,000 accepted, but only
- 8,700 candidates joined
No explanation is given for this!
Perhaps the Government of India can learn from the Singapore experience:
Singapore government programs promoting corporate internships
Singapore has several government-backed initiatives to promote corporate internships, aimed at equipping students with industry-relevant skills and enhancing their employability. Below are some internship programs from Singapore:
Global Ready Talent (GRT) Programme8
- Administered by: Enterprise Singapore
- Objective: To support Singapore enterprises in training and investing in young talent through local and international internships.
- Eligibility: Open to full-time tertiary students from Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs), Polytechnics, and Universities.
- Funding Support: Provides up to 50% funding for companies offering internships.
Key Features:
- Focuses on building a pipeline of talent for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
- Offers opportunities for students to gain exposure to both local and overseas business environments.
Enhanced Internships (SkillsFuture Initiative) 9
- Administered by: SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)
- Objective: To deepen students’ skills and provide meaningful work experiences during their internships. Target Group: Second- or third-year students enrolled in diploma or Nitec/Higher Nitec courses at Polytechnics or ITEs.
Key Features:
- Structured internships with clear learning outcomes and better mentorship.
- Extended durations to allow students to take on more meaningful work activities.
GovTech Internship Programme 10
- Administered by: Government Technology Agency (GovTech)
- Objective: To involve students in strategic national projects that drive Singapore’s digital transformation.
- Eligibility: Polytechnic students, undergraduates, and recent A-Level or diploma graduates awaiting university admission.
Key Features:
- Roles span both tech (e.g., software development, cybersecurity) and non-tech areas (e.g., HR, marketing).
- Access to mentorship from senior leaders and career workshops.
Enterprise Singapore Summer Internship Programme11
- Administered by: Enterprise Singapore
- Objective: To expose students to international business environments and enterprise growth strategies.
- Eligibility: Open to Year 2–3 university students across all disciplines.
- Key Features: Capstone projects involving research, data analysis, and enterprise development strategies.
(The RGICS is thankful to International Eminent Visiting Fellow, Prof. Wee Liang TAN from the Singapore Management University, for the inputs on internship programs in Singapore.)
8 https://www.beglobalready.gov.sg/global-ready-talent-programme/
9 https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/initiatives/mid-career/enhancedinternships
10 https://www.tech.gov.sg/careers/students-and-graduates/internships/
11 https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/grow-your-business/boost-capabilities/talent-attraction-and-development/global-ready- talent/internship-programme
