PM Internship Scheme: MCA Proposes to Revise Age and Duration Rules

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is reviewing the age limit and internship period under the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS). As per news reports, a note has been sent to the Expenditure Finance Committee suggesting these changes.  

The revisions are being considered while the scheme is still in its pilot stage. 

Scheme Background and Targets 

The PMIS was announced in the July 2024 Union Budget. It aims to provide internships to 10 million young people over 5 years across the country’s top 500 companies.  

A pilot was launched on October 3, 2024, with a target of 125,000 internships in one year. The government is planning to reach around 100,000 interns during this trial phase. 

Budget Allocation and Utilisation 

The pilot was approved with an allocation of ₹840 crore for 2024-25. In 2025-26, ₹64.91 crore had been used as of December 31, 2025, according to a parliamentary reply by Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra.  

The Union Budget for 2025-26 set aside ₹4,800 crore for the scheme. Revised estimates showed ₹541 crore spent out of the total ₹10,831 crore allocation for FY26. 

Application and Acceptance Data 

As per news reports, in the first round, around 181,000 candidates applied. More than 60,000 candidates received about 82,000 offers, and over 28,000 accepted them. By January 27, 3,417 interns had completed the programme, while 7,094 left before finishing.  

In the second round, more than 214,000 candidates applied. Companies issued over 83,000 offers, of which about 24,600 were accepted. 

Issues Noted During Pilot 

The parliamentary response said location and duration affected participation. Many applicants preferred internships within a 5-10 kilometre distance from home.  

The 12-month internship period was also longer than most skilling programmes. The ministry is testing changes during the pilot before any wider rollout. 

Read More: West Bengal Yuva Sathi Scheme: What are the Eligibility Criteria to Get Scheme Benefits?  

Conclusion 

The ministry is testing changes to the age limit and internship duration during the pilot phase. The response to these revisions will guide the scheme’s next stage. 

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