The second round of the PM Internship Scheme (PMIS) has witnessed a marked increase in female participation, with the percentage of women applicants rising from 31% in the first round to 41% in the second.
This development reflects a growing awareness and accessibility of internship opportunities for women across India, particularly in non-metropolitan regions.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), which oversees the scheme, attributes this improvement to a multi-pronged outreach strategy involving state governments, regional offices, and designated nodal officers.
These efforts have helped bridge the information gap and encouraged more women to apply for internships aligned with their location and career preferences.
PM Internship Scheme Overview and Objectives
Launched in October 2024, the PM Internship Scheme aims to provide 1 crore internship opportunities over five years, targeting youth aged 18–24 from non-premier institutions.
The scheme offers 12-month paid internships with top 500 companies, combining government and corporate funding to provide a monthly stipend of ₹5,000.
Eligibility spans across educational backgrounds, including ITI, polytechnic, diploma, and undergraduate degrees.
The scheme also incorporates reservation policies for SC, ST, OBC, and persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity in candidate selection.
Second Round: Expanded Reach and Participation
The second round, launched in January 2025, saw 327 companies post over 1.18 lakh internship opportunities across 735 districts.
In response, more than 4.55 lakh applications were submitted by 2.14 lakh candidates, indicating a strong interest from youth nationwide.
To improve transparency and accessibility, the MCA introduced several enhancements in the second round:
- Geo-tagging of internship locations to help candidates apply based on proximity
- Visibility of company names and profiles on the portal
- Disclosure of additional benefits offered by companies beyond the government stipend
These changes were instrumental in attracting more female applicants, especially from regions where mobility and safety concerns previously limited participation.
Challenges and Dropout Rates
Despite the rise in applications, the scheme continues to face challenges in internship acceptance and retention.
In the first round, only 6% of selected candidates joined their internships, with similar trends observed in the second round.
Factors contributing to dropout rates include:
- Lack of affordable accommodation near internship sites
- Parental and peer pressure
- Mismatch between job roles and candidate expectations
To address these issues, the government is exploring accommodation support and career counseling workshops in collaboration with state governments and participating companies.
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