Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday interacted with 86 interns participating in the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS), highlighting the scheme’s role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations.
The interaction, held in New Delhi, brought together interns representing more than 24 leading partner companies under the scheme. FM Sitharaman discussed their experiences, aspirations and professional journeys, including what motivated them to join the programme, the skills they had acquired and their future career goals.
Several interns who performed well during their internships have also received offers for full-time positions from their respective companies.
FM Sitharaman said the PM Internship Scheme was developed following extensive consultations with industry, which has often highlighted the need for fresh graduates to be better prepared for workplace requirements. At the same time, many young graduates need practical exposure to develop the skills expected by employers.
She said PMIS seeks to bridge this gap by providing young people with hands-on industry experience and opportunities for professional learning.
The Minister emphasised that the scheme is not limited to a candidate’s academic qualifications and allows young people to pursue internships in areas of their interest. She encouraged the interns to approach their responsibilities with focus and professionalism, noting that even minor errors at the workplace can affect other people, including consumers, and may have implications for a company’s quality and reputation.
The interaction also highlighted individual success stories emerging from the scheme.
Dhruv Gupta from Delhi, who is pursuing an internship with the National Stock Exchange (NSE), comes from an IT background but had aspired to gain experience in finance. Through PMIS, he received an opportunity to work in the financial sector and now aims to build a career in fintech by combining his technical expertise with the financial skills acquired during his internship.
Another intern, Naina from Uttar Pradesh, secured an opportunity with Alkem in Daman. Despite having to move away from home to a new city, she took up the opportunity with the support of her family. Following the successful completion of her internship, she was offered a full-time position with the company.
Parul Rajput from Haryana, who interned with Hero MotoCorp, also shared her experience of working at a two-wheeler production plant. She said the experience had strengthened her sense of responsibility towards maintaining quality and safety standards, as the components she worked on would ultimately be used by customers.
The interaction underscored the growing role of PMIS in providing practical exposure to young people and preparing them for employment opportunities in the organised sector.
The Prime Minister Internship Scheme is part of the government’s five initiatives aimed at providing employment, skill development and other opportunities to Indian youth over a five-year period. The scheme offers paid internship opportunities with leading companies across the country, with the objective of enhancing the employability of young people through practical workplace experience.
The initiative is also aligned with the broader vision of developing a future-ready workforce and contributing to the goal of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
