Internship Scheme Boosted by Stipend, Age Rule Changes

The PM Internship Scheme's third pilot round has attracted approximately 40,000 candidates, marking a substantial 2.5-fold increase compared to the first two rounds combined. This encouraging response has prompted the corporate affairs ministry to consider launching the full program next year without further pilot phases. The scheme, announced in the FY25 budget, aims to bolster youth employability by offering practical experience.

Significant revisions have driven this increased participation. The monthly stipend was raised to ₹9,000 from ₹5,000, with the government covering 90% and companies contributing 10% as part of CSR spending. Eligibility has also broadened, lowering the minimum age to 18 from 21 and extending the upper limit to 25, while also allowing final-year graduate and postgraduate students to apply. Internship durations are now more flexible, offered in six or nine-month modules instead of a full year.

Major Indian corporations, including Reliance Industries and Tata Consultancy Services, are participating. The number of offering companies has grown to over 500 in the third round, a considerable increase from 327 in the second. The government is further expanding the scheme's reach by involving entities in special economic zones, global capability centers, and select SMEs, alongside nominated companies from state governments.