Sudhir SinghUpdated on June 19, 2026
Announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, the PM Internship Scheme is one of the largest internship programmes ever launched by the Indian government. The plan is to provide 1 crore internships over 5 years in India’s top 500 companies, giving young people real corporate exposure, paid stipends, and a CV that actually opens doors instead of one with no work experience at all.
What the Scheme Offers
- A 12-month internship in a top company across sectors like manufacturing, IT, BFSI, hospitality, retail, and more.
- Monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000, of which Rs. 4,500 comes from the government and Rs. 500 from the company under its CSR fund.
- A one-time grant of Rs. 6,000 for incidental expenses, paid at the start of the internship.
- Insurance coverage under PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana during the internship period, premium paid by the government.
- A certificate of completion from the company, which strengthens your resume for future job applications.
Who Is Eligible?
- Age: 21 to 24 years at the time of application.
- Not currently engaged in full-time employment or full-time education (part-time or distance education students can apply).
- Educational qualification: Passed Class 10, Class 12, ITI, Polytechnic Diploma, or any graduate degree (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, BCA, etc.). Candidates with degrees from IITs, IIMs, IISERs, National Law Universities, or professional degrees like CA, CMA, MBBS, BDS, MBA, and engineering postgraduates are not eligible, as the scheme targets candidates who otherwise have limited access to corporate exposure.
- Family income must not exceed Rs. 8 lakh per annum, and no family member should be a regular government employee.
- Candidate must not have already completed an internship under this scheme previously.
How to Apply for PM Internship Scheme
- Visit pminternship.mca.gov.in.
- Click “Register” and create an account using your mobile number, verified by OTP.
- Complete your profile with personal details, educational qualifications, and skills.
- Upload your Aadhaar, educational certificates, and a recent photograph.
- Browse available internship opportunities posted by participating companies across sectors and locations.
- Select up to 5 internship preferences based on your interest and qualification.
- Submit your application before the deadline shown for the current cycle.
The portal uses an AI-based matching engine to recommend internships suited to your profile, location preference, and educational background, similar to how job-matching platforms work.
Selection Process
Selection is largely automated through the matching algorithm, which considers:
- Your educational qualification and field of study.
- Skills and any prior experience or training mentioned in your profile.
- Location preference, matched against where the company is offering the internship.
- Diversity considerations to ensure fair representation across regions, gender, and social categories.
Shortlisted candidates are notified through the portal and via SMS/email. Some companies may conduct a brief interaction or interview before final confirmation, depending on the role and sector.
Which Companies Are Participating?
The scheme draws from India’s top 500 companies based on average CSR expenditure over the preceding 3 years, spanning sectors including manufacturing, banking and financial services, IT and ITES, retail, hospitality, healthcare, and infrastructure. The exact list of participating companies and live openings is updated on the portal each application cycle, so check the current list before applying.
What Happens After the Internship?
While the scheme does not guarantee a job offer at the end of the 12 months, many participating companies use the internship period to evaluate candidates for potential full-time roles. The completion certificate and the real corporate work experience significantly improve a candidate’s employability for subsequent job applications, both within the same company and elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a final-year college student still pursuing their degree apply?
The scheme is designed for candidates who have completed their education and are not currently in full-time education. If you are a final-year student in regular full-time mode, you generally need to wait until you complete your degree to apply. Part-time and distance education students currently enrolled can apply, as their study mode does not count as full-time.
Is the PM Internship Scheme the same as the DPIIT Internship Scheme?
No, these are two separate schemes. The DPIIT Internship Scheme is run by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade for placements within ministries, departments, and startups, with different eligibility and scope. The PM Internship Scheme is a much larger, separate initiative specifically connecting candidates with private sector top-500 companies under CSR funding.
What if I do not get matched with any company in my preferred sector?
You can update your preferences and reapply in the next application cycle. The portal runs the scheme in rolling cycles, so candidates who are not matched in one round remain eligible to apply again when fresh internship opportunities open up.
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