Revamped PM Internship Scheme: Expanded Opportunities and Increased Stipends

The PM Internship Scheme has been significantly revamped, expanding its scope to include MSMEs and increasing the monthly stipend to ₹9,000. Despite a surge in applications, the joining rate remains below 10%. This article explores the changes, participation statistics, reasons for early exits, and positive experiences in the IT and manufacturing sectors. Read on to learn more about how these updates aim to enhance youth employment opportunities.

By Ambika Singh Oct 21, 2026, 20:53 IST

Overview of Changes to the PM Internship Scheme

The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme has recently undergone significant modifications, broadening its reach to include Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and emerging sectors. The monthly stipend for participants has been raised to ₹9,000, nearly doubling the previous amount.

Key Features of the Revised Scheme

Originally launched by the Central Government to create job opportunities for young individuals and allow them to demonstrate their skills, the PM Internship Scheme has seen major updates. The eligibility criteria have been relaxed concerning age and educational qualifications, and the internship duration has been adjusted to between 6 to 9 months, down from the previous 12 months. As a result, youth participation in the third round has surged by 67% to 100%. However, a new challenge has arisen: the actual joining rate of youth for internships remains below 10%, according to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The third round, which commenced in April, is scheduled to conclude in December.

Internship Participation Statistics

PM Internship Scheme at a Glance

Data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs reveals that during the first round, companies posted 127,508 internship opportunities, leading to 621,000 applications. Out of these, 60,866 candidates received offers, but only 8,760—approximately 6.9%—actually accepted the internships. Of those, just 3,731, or 42.6%, completed their internships.

In the second round, 118,948 positions were posted, attracting 455,000 applications. From 71,192 offers, only 7,308 candidates, or 6.1%, joined the internships, with a completion rate of 39.4%, resulting in 2,880 successful candidates.

For the third round, which started in April 2026, 340 companies offered a record 154,366 positions, garnering 350,259 applications. Offers were made to 25,794 candidates, with 14,620 joining so far. This has improved the joining rate to 9.5%, yet it still falls short of the total available opportunities.

Reasons for Early Exit from Internships

Several factors have contributed to youth leaving the PM Internship program prematurely. One participant from Ranchi, who has a diploma in computer hardware, expressed disappointment after being assigned the role of a loan recovery agent, which involved extensive fieldwork rather than the office skills he anticipated. This led him to withdraw from the internship.

Other candidates reported receiving full-time job offers elsewhere while still interning, prompting them to leave. Another participant shared their experience at an oil refinery, where tasks were limited to promoting payment methods at petrol stations, which did not require specific skills or formal training, leading to their decision to exit the program.

Positive Experiences in IT and Manufacturing

Despite some complaints regarding fieldwork in certain sectors, candidates in the IT and manufacturing industries have reported highly positive experiences. For example, a youth from Vijayawada began an internship at an IT firm in January 2025, which included four months of instructor-led training, two months of self-paced digital learning, and six months of on-the-job training. After completing this 12-month internship and passing a recruitment exam, he secured a full-time position at the same IT company in March 2026.