The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme has surpassed early expectations, with internship offers from companies quickly exceeding the government’s target of 125,000 within just two weeks of the programme’s formal launch. According to sources familiar with the initiative, large companies have actively posted their internship opportunities on the government portal set up to implement the scheme. This portal, which went live on October 3, is part of a pilot project designed to boost employability among India’s youth.
The scheme was first announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the 2024 budget presentation and aims to provide internships to 10 million young Indians over five years. The ambitious initiative targets collaboration with 500 of the country’s top companies, offering real-world business exposure to young professionals entering the workforce. “They will gain exposure for 12 months to real-life business environments, varied professions, and employment opportunities,” Sitharaman noted while unveiling the programme’s objectives.
Officials from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which is spearheading the implementation, shared that more than 60,000 candidates have already applied for internships via the portal, uploading necessary documents for consideration. This response comes from a much larger pool of interested candidates who have until October 25 to submit their applications during the pilot phase.
Internship seekers have been quick to seize the opportunity, given the scale and scope of the programme. The government aims to fine-tune the scheme based on feedback from the initial rollout. Once fully implemented by December, the programme will be expanded to accommodate more applicants, with officials reviewing its progress and adjusting the scheme to ensure smooth execution.
This early success comes as a positive sign for the government’s long-term goal of enhancing youth employability across India. The scheme is expected to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical job experience, helping young professionals develop the skills needed in today’s competitive job market. The large number of offers from companies demonstrates strong support from the corporate sector for this initiative, with both employers and interns set to benefit from the exposure to diverse industries and professions.
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