New Delhi: Applications are now open for the PM Internship Scheme, with the last date to apply being October 25. Officials at the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, have announced that 1.25 lakh youths are expected to start internships in the top 500 companies in India from December 2 as part of the first batch of the scheme.
Meanwhile, the online registration for companies willing to offer internships has already begun. The government has allocated Rs 800 crore for this pilot project.
Interns will be placed in their own districts or states as much as possible. According to officials, 111 companies, including Mahindra & Mahindra, Max Health Insurance, and Alembic Pharmaceuticals, have already registered for the scheme. “These firms have offered 1,077 internship posts as of Thursday evening,” officials added.
The Central government aims to provide youth with opportunities to intern in the top 500 companies known for leading CSR (corporate social responsibility) funding in India. Vendors, clients, or suppliers of these companies may also offer internships.
Eligibility
- Applicants should be aged between 21 and 24 years.
- They should not be enrolled in a full-time academic course or engaged in full-time employment. However, youths pursuing online/distance education courses can apply.
- Applicants with high school/higher secondary/ITI education, polytechnic diplomas, or a degree (BA/BSc/BCom/BPharm) are eligible.
Who cannot apply?
- Youths whose parents or spouse earn an annual income above Rs 8 lakh cannot apply. Parents or spouses should also not be government employees.
- Students from IITs, IIMs, National Law Universities, IISER, NID, and IIITs are not eligible.
- Those holding degrees such as CA, CMA, CS, MBBS, BDS, MBA, or any postgraduate degree cannot apply.
- Youths already participating in Central or state government skill/apprenticeship/internship programs are also ineligible.
Time schedule
- October 12 – 25: Youths can apply on the website pminternship.mca.gov.in. They may choose up to five internship opportunities listed by companies.
- October 26: A shortlist of applications received until October 25 will be sent to companies by the government. Applications submitted after October 25 will not be considered for the pilot scheme.
- October 27 – November 7: Intern selections will be based on the shortlist and each company’s requirements.
- November 8-15: Youths must accept internship offers online. If not interested in the first offer, they will be given two more offers.
- December 2: The official start of the first batch of internships. A one-time payment of Rs 6,000 will be transferred to the interns' bank accounts, followed by 12 months of internship.
Benefits
Stipend: Interns will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000, with Rs 4,500 transferred to their bank accounts by the government and Rs 500 paid by the companies from their CSR funds. Companies may also offer a higher stipend.
Insurance: Interns will be covered by the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, with the premium paid by the government.
For more details, contact the toll-free number 1800-116-090.
Website: pminternship.mca.gov.in