Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS)
The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme aims to equip India's youth with industry-relevant skills by offering extensive internship opportunities. Running as a pilot project since October 2024, it plans to provide year-long internships to 10 million youth across India's top 500 companies over five years.
Program Implementation and Industry Involvement
- Efforts by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) include weekly online sessions and FAQs to sensitize both companies and interns about the scheme.
- An internship portal has been created for grievance redressal, and states are asked to appoint nodal persons for feedback and monitoring.
Financial Aspects and Stipend
- The scheme offers a financial assistance package, including a direct benefit transfer of ₹6,000 on joining and a ₹5,000 monthly stipend, where ₹4,500 is provided by the government and ₹500 by the company’s CSR funds.
- Interns report that the stipend is insufficient to cover living costs in larger cities, with disparities noted in stipends for interns from prestigious institutes.
Program Impact and Future Prospects
- The scheme has enhanced the employability of participants, with some being approached by other companies and startups for jobs.
- Challenges like unclear post-internship outcomes and high living costs are barriers for participants.
Parliamentary Insights and Recommendations
- The Standing Committee on Finance recommended independent evaluations and increased support for living expenses to ensure inclusivity and attract a diverse talent pool.
Conclusion
Despite the challenges, the PMIS is seen as a transformative opportunity. The government is refining the program based on feedback, and there is enthusiasm among participants to promote the scheme as a valuable learning and exploration opportunity.
