PM Internship Scheme Got 6.21 Lakh Applications, 1.27 Lakh Internship Offers Given In Round 1: Corporate Affairs Ministry To RS – News18

Last Updated:April 01, 2025, 16:04 IST

Harsh Malhotra, MoS, Corporate Affairs, in a written reply told the Rajya Sabha that as an initiation to the scheme, the ministry launched a pilot project on October 3, 2024, which was targeted to provide 1.25 lakh internship opportunities to the youth

A total of 1.27 lakh internship opportunities were provided by companies against the 6.21 lakh applications received in the first round of the PM Internship Scheme (PMIS) that was rolled out in October last year, the Corporate Affairs Ministry told Parliament on Tuesday.

Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State (MoS), Corporate Affairs, in a written reply told the Rajya Sabha that as an initiation to the scheme, the ministry launched a pilot project on October 3, 2024, which was targeted to provide 1.25 lakh internship opportunities to the youth.

“In the round I of the PM Internship Scheme Pilot Project, which commenced from October 2024, 1.27 lakh internship opportunities were provided by the companies. Against this, more than 6.21 lakh applications were received,” the MoS stated in his reply to a question on the number of applications received and opportunities offered under the scheme so far.

THE PMIS

The PM Internship Scheme (PMIS) was launched in the 2024-25 annual budget to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth in top 500 companies over five years. A Budget Estimate (BE) of Rs. 10831.07 crore has been proposed for the scheme in the FY 2025-26. Previously, a Budget Estimate (BE) of Rs. 2,000 crore and a Revised Estimate (RE) of Rs. 380 crore were allocated for the FY 2024-25.

“Round II of the pilot project commenced in January 2025 and companies have posted more than 1.18 lakh opportunities (both new and edited unfilled opportunities of the previous round) across the country. As on 26th March 2025 approximately 3.20 lakh applications have been received in the ongoing Round II of the Pilot Project,” he stated.

The reply further stated that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs is carrying out an active Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign across the country through various channels, such as print advertisements, YouTube campaigns, radio jingles, and social media campaigns, to publicise the scheme.

“Additionally, the Ministry is actively collaborating with various stakeholders, including state governments, central government ministries and departments: and industry associations, to spread awareness about the scheme which includes the organisation of camps in various educational institutes across the country, including colleges, ITI institutes, etc. Approximately 100 camps have been organised across the country as part of Round II of the PMIS Pilot Project,” he said.

FEWER APPLICATIONS IN ROUND 2

News18 had on March 18 reported that Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has asked for more companies to participate in the PM Internship Scheme (PMIS), citing larger national interest, as few firms have been forthcoming for the same. Also, the number of applications being received in the second round that started this January has been fewer. Also, officials said that the number of valid applications that match the eligibility criteria under the scheme have been low.

Officials told News18 that it’s probably because of an apparent “supply-demand mismatch” with the qualifications eligible under it not matching the job profiles that can be offered by these companies that have been onboarded to offer internship opportunities.