PM Internship Scheme Sees Over 1.5 Lakh Registrations in Just One Day

In a remarkable response to the recently launched PM Internship Scheme, more than 1.55 lakh candidates have registered for the program within just 24 hours of its initiation. As per sources on Sunday, the dedicated registration portal for this scheme went live on October 12 at 5 PM. The initial target for the pilot project was set at 1.25 lakh candidates, a milestone that was surpassed within the first day.

Launch of PM Internship Scheme Attracts Huge Interest from Youth

By Sunday, the total number of candidates registered on the portal reached 1,55,109. This scheme is open to students aged between 21 and 24 years, offering them a unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience. The internships under the PM Internship Scheme are set to commence on December 2, providing participants with practical exposure to the corporate world.

Financial Support and Scheme Highlights

The PM Internship Scheme provides several financial benefits to its participants. Interns will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 for a period of 12 months, along with a one-time grant of Rs 6,000. This initiative aims to equip students with the necessary skills and experience required for employment in today's competitive job market.

The scheme was first announced in the Union Budget 2024 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighting the government's commitment to enhancing employability among youth. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has stated that the initial estimated cost of the pilot project is around Rs 800 crore.

Extensive Opportunities Across Multiple Sectors

In the week leading up to the launch, the registration portal has added over 80,000 internship opportunities across 24 sectors, including oil, gas, energy, travel, hospitality, and automotive industries. The ministry emphasized that the portal aims to facilitate efficient access to internships through Aadhaar-based registration and features like bio-data generation.

Currently, more than 90,000 internship opportunities are available in 737 districts across all states in India, encompassing various sectors such as agriculture, automotive, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, energy, travel, hospitality, food, and banking and financial services. Notably, 45 percent of these opportunities have been concentrated in five key states: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.

What is the PM Internship Scheme 2024?

The PM Internship Scheme is a government initiative aimed at providing Indian youth with practical exposure to business environments across diverse professions. Over a period of five years, the scheme aims to create one crore internship opportunities in the top 500 companies in the country. For the fiscal year 2024-25 alone, the government plans to offer 1.25 lakh internship opportunities in leading corporations.

This will help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical workplace skills, offering students and fresh graduates an invaluable chance to learn directly from industry leaders.

Eligibility Criteria for PM Internship Scheme 2024

Candidates aspiring to join the internship program should meet the following eligibility criteria:

Applicants should have passed High School, Higher Secondary School, or hold qualifications from an ITI, Polytechnic Institute, or possess a graduation degree like BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, B.Pharma, etc.

The age limit for candidates is set between 21 and 24 years as of the last date of application submission.

The applicant must be an Indian citizen and should not be employed in full-time jobs or engaged in full-time education programs. However, those enrolled in online or distance learning programs are eligible to apply.

This wide range of eligible qualifications allows students from diverse educational backgrounds to participate and gain meaningful experience.

Conclusion

The swift and overwhelming response to the PM Internship Scheme underscores the eagerness of India's youth to enhance their employability and gain hands-on experience in diverse fields. With over 1.5 lakh candidates registering within just 24 hours of its launch, the scheme has generated significant interest among students aged 21 to 24.

By offering valuable financial support, practical exposure, and a wide range of internship opportunities across 24 sectors, this initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements.

As the program rolls out in December, it promises to equip participants with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market. With a substantial investment of approximately Rs 800 crore, the government is demonstrating its commitment to fostering a skilled workforce capable of driving India's economic growth.

The PM Internship Scheme is not just an opportunity for personal and professional development; it represents a pivotal step toward empowering the next generation of leaders in India’s corporate landscape.