The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS), announced in the Budget for 2024-25 is set to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth over the next five years. Aimed at enhancing the employability of India’s youth, the scheme will offer internships with the top 500 companies in the country.
To kickstart the initiative, a Pilot Project has been launched for the financial year 2024-25, with a target of providing 1.25 lakh internships. The pilot will serve as a precursor to the larger plan, allowing youth to gain valuable skills and experience in real-world business environments.
The top 500 companies identified for this initiative have been selected based on their average Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure over the past three years. However, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has also opened the door for additional companies, banks, and financial institutions to participate, particularly those from underrepresented sectors. Interested organizations can join the scheme with approval from the MCA. A list of the partner companies is available on the official PMIS portal: [https://pminternship.mca.gov.in](https://pminternship.mca.gov.in).
The scheme is being implemented through an online portal where companies can post internship opportunities. As of now, 1.27 lakh internship positions have been posted, and nearly 6.21 lakh applications have been received. The selection process is currently underway as companies review the applications.
The PMIS aims to bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements by providing young individuals with hands-on experience and training in a business environment. This, in turn, is expected to enhance their employability and prepare them for the challenges of the workforce.