PM Internship Scheme
Pradhan Mantri Internship Scheme
The PM Internship Scheme is a landmark initiative announced in Union Budget 2024–25 and operationalised from October 2024. It is India's first structured, government-backed internship programme connecting un/under-employed youth with India's top corporate houses for real-world experience.
**The Core Design — Why It's Different:**
Unlike PMKVY (classroom-based skill training), the PM Internship Scheme places youth directly in workplaces — in finance departments, IT teams, manufacturing floors, marketing divisions. The 12-month duration ensures genuine skill transfer, not just exposure. Companies voluntarily participate under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandate — using CSR funds for ₹500/month per intern, with the government contributing ₹4,500/month.
**Who are the "Top 500 Companies"?**
The 500 companies are those with the highest CSR expenditure in India — typically Fortune India 500 companies. This includes Reliance Industries, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Mahindra, L&T, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, ONGC, NTPC, Coal India, Maruti Suzuki, HUL, ITC, and other major corporations. Companies register on pminternship.mca.gov.in and post available internship roles across their business functions.
**The Full Financial Package:**
- Monthly stipend: ₹4,500 (Direct DBT from government) + ₹500 (from company) = ₹5,000/month
- One-time incidental grant: ₹6,000 at start
- PMJJBY life insurance: ₹2 lakh cover — government pays premium during internship
- PMSBY accident insurance: ₹2 lakh cover — government pays premium during internship
- Total guaranteed income over 12 months: ₹66,000 (₹60,000 stipend + ₹6,000 grant)
**The Youth Profile Targeted:**
Youth who are educationally qualified but unemployed — those who completed Class X/XII/ITI/diploma/graduation but couldn't find jobs. The scheme specifically excludes CA/CMA/MBA/engineering/law students currently enrolled (who have other pathways) and focuses on those who have completed education but are stuck in the informal job market or working in low-quality jobs.
**Selection Process:**
Candidates register and build a profile on pminternship.mca.gov.in. Companies search the database and shortlist candidates based on education, skills, and location preference. Selected candidates are interviewed by the company. On selection, the offer is confirmed on the portal and the intern completes onboarding.
**The 12-Month Commitment:**
This is not a 2-month summer internship — it's a 12-month programme with structured learning. Interns are expected to contribute meaningfully to company functions. At the end, interns receive a Certificate of Internship from the company which carries significant value for future employment.
Key Objectives
- Provide 1 crore real-world corporate internship opportunities to youth over 5 years.
- Bridge the critical gap between education completion and quality employment.
- Expose youth to India's top 500 corporations — building networks, skills, and employability.
- Reduce youth unemployment by creating a structured employment pipeline.
- Enable companies to fulfil CSR obligations while building future talent.
Benefits
Eligibility
- Indian nationals aged 21–24 years
- Completed minimum Class X — no upper education bar (ITI/diploma/graduate/postgraduate all eligible)
- Not currently enrolled in full-time education
- Not in full-time employment (salaried or business)
- Family annual income below ₹8 lakh
- No family member who is/was a government employee (central or state, permanent/regular)
- Only ONE internship per person — cannot reapply after completing
- Must have a functional Aadhaar-linked bank account for DBT of government stipend
- Online application through pminternship.mca.gov.in mandatory
- CA, CMA, MBA, M.Tech, MBBS, LLB, or any students currently enrolled in full-time courses
- Youth with family income above ₹8 lakh per annum
- Youth whose parent/guardian is/was a permanent government employee
- Those who have already completed a PM Internship Scheme placement
How to Apply
Step 1: Register on pminternship.mca.gov.in with mobile number and Aadhaar
Step 2: Build your candidate profile — education, skills, preferred location, sector of interest
Step 3: Upload educational certificates, income certificate, Aadhaar, and bank account details
Step 4: Browse available internship listings from top 500 companies
Step 5: Apply for relevant roles — you can apply to multiple openings simultaneously
Step 6: Companies shortlist profiles and call for interview (virtual or in-person)
Step 7: Accept offer on the portal — complete company's onboarding formalities
Step 8: ₹6,000 one-time grant credited to Aadhaar-linked bank on joining
Step 9: ₹4,500/month government stipend credited directly via DBT each month
Step 10: ₹500/month from company paid as per company's payroll cycle
Step 11: Internship Certificate issued on completion of 12 months
Required Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Which top 500 companies are participating in PM Internship Scheme?
The 500 companies are those with the highest CSR expenditure in India. Major participants include Reliance Industries, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, L&T, Mahindra & Mahindra, ONGC, NTPC, Coal India, HUL, ITC, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto, and others. The full list of participating companies and available roles is visible after registering on pminternship.mca.gov.in.
Can a Class XII pass (non-graduate) apply for PM Internship Scheme?
Yes — there is no minimum graduation requirement. Class X, Class XII, ITI certificate holders, polytechnic diploma holders, and graduates/postgraduates are all eligible, as long as you are aged 21–24, your family income is below ₹8 lakh, no family member is a permanent government employee, and you are not currently in full-time education.
Can I do the PM Internship from home (remote / work-from-home)?
It depends on the company and role — some companies offer remote internships (especially IT, data analytics, digital marketing roles) and some require in-person presence (manufacturing, retail, banking operations). When applying, check the work mode listed for each internship posting on the portal.
Will I get a permanent job after the PM Internship?
Companies are not legally obligated to offer permanent employment after the internship. However, many companies do convert high-performing interns — especially in sectors with talent shortages (IT, manufacturing, BFSI). The 12-month internship certificate and work experience at a top 500 company is a significant asset for job applications elsewhere, even if the internship company doesn't absorb you.
I am 25 years old. Can I apply for PM Internship Scheme?
No — the age limit is strictly 21–24 years at the time of application. There is no age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC or other categories as of current scheme guidelines. Check pminternship.mca.gov.in for any updates to age criteria in future rounds.
My father is a teacher in a government school. Am I ineligible?
Government school teachers are permanent state government employees — their children are excluded from PM Internship Scheme. The exclusion covers any child whose parent or guardian is or was a permanent/regular Central or State Government employee. This includes teachers, police, administrative staff, PSU employees (check if your parent's PSU counts), etc.
How is the ₹4,500 per month government stipend paid?
The ₹4,500/month government portion is paid directly by the government to the intern's Aadhaar-linked bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) — not through the company. The ₹500/month company portion is paid by the company according to its own payroll cycle. Ensure your bank account is Aadhaar-linked before accepting the internship offer.
Can I apply to multiple companies at the same time on the PM Internship portal?
Yes — candidates can apply to multiple internship openings simultaneously on the portal. If selected by multiple companies, you must choose one. Once you accept an offer and begin the internship, you cannot apply to others. Broad applications increase your chances — apply to 5–10 relevant roles.