PM Internship Scheme sees 1.55 lakh applications in 24 hours
Announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in this year’s Union Budget, the scheme aims to address youth unemployment by linking young people with top companies seeking talent.
The government is set to spend ₹800 crore on this pilot project, with the first batch of interns expected to be on the shop floor by the first week of December.
The registration portal for the scheme went live on October 12, and eligible candidates can apply until the selection process begins in November.
By mid-November, between 8 and 15, the first lot of selected candidates could receive their internship offers. The internships will span across 24 sectors, including oil, gas and energy, travel and hospitality, automotives, and banking, offering opportunities across 737 districts in 37 states and union territories.
Top companies such as Jubilant Foodworks, Maruti Suzuki, Larsen & Toubro, Muthoot Finance, and Reliance Industries have already posted internships on the platform. The roles available range from operations management and production to sales and maintenance, potentially addressing skill gaps in India’s emerging industries.
The scheme is open to candidates aged 21-24 years with educational qualifications ranging from high school diplomas to undergraduate degrees (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, and B.Pharma).
However, graduates from IITs, IIMs, National Law Universities, or those holding master’s degrees or higher are ineligible. Additionally, those enrolled in government skill or apprenticeship programs cannot apply. To ensure fair access, applicants must come from families earning less than ₹8 lakh annually, and those with permanent government employees in their family are not eligible.
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The government views this initiative as a key step toward reducing youth unemployment while simultaneously meeting industry demands. Internships are expected to provide hands-on experience in sectors crucial to India’s economic growth, creating long-term employment opportunities for the country’s young workforce.
