MCA Proposes Changes to Age and Duration Rules for PM Internship Scheme

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) plans to revise key eligibility rules for the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) pilot to increase participation, according to official sources.

The proposed changes include lowering the age limit and reducing the internship period to make the program more practical and appealing for young applicants before it expands nationwide.

Effort to Raise Participation

The PMIS was launched as a pilot in October 2024 after it was announced in the 2024–25 Budget. The scheme aims to provide structured work experience to young people in leading companies. The government’s long-term goal is to offer one crore internships over five years, mainly in companies with active corporate social responsibility programs.

However, data shared in Parliament shows weak participation during the pilot phase. Of the ₹10,831 crore allocated for PMIS in 2025–26, only ₹541 crore was spent. This suggests limited engagement from both applicants and partner companies.

In the first round, more than 181,000 candidates applied, and over 82,000 offers were made. In the second round, more than 214,000 candidates applied. Companies issued over 83,000 offers, and about 24,600 were accepted.

The number of candidates who accepted and completed the internships was lower than expected.

Steps to Address Low Participation

To address these concerns, the MCA has prepared a note for the Expenditure Finance Committee. The note recommends changes to the age and duration rules to remove barriers that may be limiting participation.

The minimum age for applicants may be reduced from 21 years to 18 years. This would widen eligibility to include younger applicants, recent graduates, and ITI certificate holders.

A key issue is the current 12-month internship period, which many candidates view as too long compared to other skill programs. The ministry is reviewing the duration and may reduce it. Options between six months and one year are under consideration.

Distance is another factor. Many applicants prefer internships within 5 to 10 kilometers of their homes. Positions located farther away have seen lower acceptance rates.

The Union Budget for 2025–26 allocated ₹4,800 crore for the scheme. Revised estimates show that ₹541 crore was spent out of the total ₹10,831 crore allocation for FY26.

Plan for Nationwide Rollout

During the pilot phase, the government aims to enroll about 100,000 interns.

This will help assess the impact of the proposed changes before expanding the scheme across the country. The updated scheme is expected to roll out in 2026–27 with a higher budget allocation.

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