Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 17: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday launched a dedicated mobile application for the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, aiming to streamline access and enhance participation in the government’s flagship employment initiative.
Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of introducing five integrated schemes to promote skilling and employment, Sitharaman emphasized that the initiative will bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations, improving youth employability. She also urged the corporate sector to actively participate, stating that their involvement would contribute significantly to nation-building while creating a skilled workforce.
The newly launched PM Internship mobile app offers:
• User-friendly interface with simple navigation
• Seamless registration via Aadhaar-based face authentication
• Personalized dashboard for easy tracking
• Real-time alerts on new internship opportunities
• Dedicated support team for candidate assistance
Additionally, the app integrates a referral program, allowing registered users to refer eligible candidates and earn rewards. This initiative, announced by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), is designed to boost participation in the scheme.
Aiming to Empower One Crore Youth
Launched in the 2024-25 Budget, the PM Internship Scheme aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth in India's top 500 companies over the next five years.
The Pilot Project, which serves as a precursor to the full-scale implementation, aims to provide 1.25 lakh internship opportunities in the financial year 2024-25. These internships will allow young individuals to gain hands-on training, industry experience, and real-world skills over a six-month period, ensuring they meet the evolving demands of the job market.
Under this scheme, each intern will receive a monthly stipend of ?5,000, along with a one-time financial assistance of ?6,000.
Strong Industry Participation in Early Rounds
In Round I of the Pilot Project (October – December 2024):
• 1.27 lakh internship opportunities were offered across 745 districts
• 280 companies participated, spanning 25 different sectors
• Over 82,000 internship offers were made to eligible candidates
Round II, which began in January 2025, has seen even greater participation:
• 327 companies have posted 1.18 lakh internship opportunities
• This includes new openings and unfilled opportunities from the previous round
The internship application window for Round II is open until March 31, 2025. Aspiring candidates are encouraged to apply via the PM Internship mobile app or the official online portal.