The Prime Minister’s Internship program, a key initiative announced in the Union Budget for FY25, is gaining traction. As of Monday, over 13,000 internship opportunities have been posted on the dedicated portal, ‘pminternship.mca.gov.in’. Major players like Jubilant FoodWorks, Larsen & Toubro, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Tech Mahindra are among the top contributors, showcasing the program’s appeal to leading companies.
Launched on October 3rd, the program offers interns a monthly financial assistance of ₹ 5,000 and a one-time payment of ₹ 6,000, with partial funding from the central government. Companies can contribute towards training costs and the monthly financial assistance using their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.
The internships cover a wide range of sectors, including banking and financial services, oil, gas, and energy, FMCG, manufacturing, travel and hospitality, and more. The roles offered include sales and marketing, production and manufacturing, and operations management. Currently, opportunities are available across 179 districts in 30 states and union territories.
The portal will open for unemployed youth aged 21-24 on October 12th, with a toll-free helpline in place for applicant assistance. The one-year program aims to bridge skill gaps among young people, provide hands-on business experience, and enhance their employability. This initiative is seen as a critical step towards harnessing India’s demographic dividend, leveraging a larger workforce to boost economic output.
Eligibility for the program focuses on those from economically disadvantaged groups. Candidates must have passed high school, hold a certificate from an industrial training institute, a diploma from a polytechnic institute, or a graduate degree in disciplines including arts, science, commerce, pharmacy, and business administration. Graduates from prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), National Law Universities, and professionally qualified individuals like chartered accountants or those with MBBS degrees are not eligible. To further ensure economic inclusivity, candidates are ineligible if their family’s collective income in 2023-24 exceeded ₹ 8 lakh or if any family member is a permanent government employee.
The program reflects the government’s broader strategy to support labor-intensive sectors like textiles while simultaneously promoting research and development in new-age industries. This holistic approach seeks to foster a dynamic and skilled workforce, driving India’s economic growth and development.
