Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday unveiled a dedicated mobile application for the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS), aiming to streamline access to internship opportunities for young professionals across India.
The newly launched Prime Minister Internship App is designed with an intuitive interface, enabling seamless registration through Aadhaar-based face authentication. It features effortless navigation, allowing candidates to filter internships by location and other criteria. Additionally, a personalized dashboard and real-time alerts will keep applicants updated on new opportunities and developments.
Internship Scheme to Empower One Crore Youth
Announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, the the scheme aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth over five years by collaborating with India’s top 500 companies. As an initial step, a pilot project was launched on October 3, 2024, offering 1.25 lakh paid internships.
Under this scheme:
- Internships will last 12 months and will be fully paid.
- Eligible candidates must be between 21 and 24 years old and not currently enrolled in any full-time academic program or full-time employment.
- Each intern will receive ₹5,000 per month in financial assistance, along with a one-time grant of ₹6,000.
- Companies will fund training costs and contribute 10% of internship expenses through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
Government’s Push for Youth Employment
Speaking at the launch, Finance Minister Sitharaman emphasized the critical role of industry in nurturing India’s youth.
The government is committed to instilling confidence in young professionals. This initiative will bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, helping interns gain direct exposure to India’s leading companies, she stated.
She also urged industry leaders to actively participate, highlighting the significance of India’s demographic dividend in driving future productivity.
Furthermore, Sitharaman praised efforts to make the platform accessible in multiple Indian languages, ensuring equal opportunities for students from non-metropolitan areas. No student should be restricted by language barriers. Every Indian language deserves prominence in education and career-building platforms, she added.
Bridging the Skill Gap
The Prime Minister Internship scheme is particularly aimed at individuals who previously struggled to secure internships due to skill or training limitations. By integrating industry participation and structured training, the initiative seeks to enhance employability and bridge the skill gap between education and the workforce.
With the launch of the mobile app, the government has taken a significant step toward ensuring wider accessibility and efficiency in the internship selection process, reinforcing its commitment to youth empowerment and economic growth.
