PM Internship Scheme Expanded: New Sectors, Wider Eligibility, and Industry Tie-Ups

The central government has introduced significant changes to the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) to align it with evolving industry needs and enhance opportunities for young Indians. The revisions aim to broaden participation, improve industry engagement, and provide paid internships in emerging sectors such as Global Capability Centres (GCCs), semiconductor-linked industries, and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Launched by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the PMIS targets providing internship opportunities to one crore young people over five years in leading companies. Selected candidates receive a 12-month paid internship, including a monthly assistance of Rs 5,000 from the government and a one-time grant of Rs 6,000 for incidental expenses. The objective is to help young people gain practical workplace experience before entering the job market.

Earlier this year, eligibility was expanded to include final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18-25, provided they obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their educational institution confirming that the internship will not affect their academic commitments. Previously, the age bracket was 21-24, and candidates could not be engaged in full-time employment or full-time education.

The government is now exploring pilot projects involving GCCs, SEZs, and select small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It is also widening the pool of participating companies and high-growth sectors to improve outcomes. For businesses, the changes offer cheaper access to talent and an opportunity to nurture young professionals according to company requirements.

Experts have welcomed the revisions. Nipun Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, noted that the government's willingness to continuously refine the scheme shows it is listening to industry feedback rather than treating it as a one-time intervention. He said the biggest gain for young people is greater access to future-focused industries, exposing first-time job seekers to cutting-edge technologies and modern workplaces that are expected to drive India's next phase of economic growth.

Radhika Shrivastava, President and CEO at FIIB, emphasised that classroom learning alone cannot fully prepare students for today's workplace. She said structured internships allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real business settings while developing professional judgement and workplace readiness. However, she stressed that the success of the initiative will depend on ensuring internships are meaningful, well-mentored, and closely aligned with academic learning.

Anil Sachdev, Founder of SOIL Institute of Management, echoed similar views, noting that experience builds skills that textbooks cannot provide. The expanded scheme is seen as a step toward democratising access to quality industry experience and preparing a future-ready workforce.