Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a mobile application for the Prime Minister Internship Scheme, aiming to provide 1.25 lakh internship opportunities for 2024-25.
The initiative focuses on youth from Tier II and III cities, offering financial assistance while bridging industry skill gaps.
Speaking at the launch event in New Delhi, Sitharaman encouraged companies to participate in the programme and urged Members of Parliament to motivate young people to apply.
She emphasised that the scheme does not impose any compulsion on industries but is intended for a national cause, ensuring that young professionals gain valuable exposure to industry requirements.
The scheme, which began as a pilot project on October 3, 2024, has already facilitated over 1.27 lakh internships in its first phase. The second phase started in January 2025, with more than 1.18 lakh internships posted by 327 companies. The application deadline for this phase is March 31.
Interns under the scheme receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for 12 months and a one-time grant of ₹6,000.
The programme, announced in the 2024-25 Union Budget, aims to create one crore internship opportunities within five years, primarily in the top 500 companies selected based on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending.
Corporate Affairs Secretary Deepti Gaur Mukherjee stated that more companies, beyond the identified 500, are expected to join. Additionally, the ministry is enhancing the scheme’s accessibility, making the app available in multiple languages.
A framework for assessing the pilot project’s implementation has also been introduced.
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