Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday urged Indian industry to step up its participation in the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS), emphasising that bringing more companies under its fold would serve a “national cause”.
While acknowledging the enthusiasm shown by industry so far, Sitharaman stressed that there is still a long way to go before achieving the government’s goal of onboarding the top 500 companies in the scheme. She was speaking at the launch of a dedicated mobile app for PMIS in New Delhi, in the presence of Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Win-win for all
“I appreciate (the) industry’s willingness to come forward and offer internship positions, but for a country of our size, with the objective that the top 500 companies participate in PMIS, we still have some way to go,” Sitharaman said.
She urged companies beyond the 327 that have already joined the initiative, and highlighted that the government is providing financial support to make it easier for firms to accommodate interns.
“This is a national cause. Nobody is expecting industry to cut profits or suffer losses. The government is chipping in with financial assistance. We need to give our youth the confidence to enter these top 500 companies, provided they prepare themselves for the opportunity. If they don’t equip themselves with the right skills, industry will not find them employable,” Sitharaman said.
She encouraged businesses to “open a little window” for young professionals, allowing them a glimpse into how companies operate. “This exposure is essential for them to understand industry expectations and prepare themselves accordingly,” she added.
Strong response in pilot’s second round
The PMIS pilot project, which entered its second round in January, has seen 327 companies posting more than 1.18 lakh internship opportunities across India. This figure includes both fresh openings and unfilled positions carried over from the first round. So far in this round, 1.27 lakh candidates have applied for 2.4 lakh internships and the internship application window for round II is open until March 31, MCA Secretary Deepti Gaur Mukherjee later told businessline.
She added that till date 49 companies (beyond the identified top 500 by CSR spend) have approached MCA seeking nod for participating in PMIS. The guidelines now also allow companies beyond the top 500 to apply for PMIS participation.
The scheme aims to provide students and fresh graduates with hands-on industry exposure, helping them develop job-ready skills while also addressing workforce requirements in various sectors.
PMIS mobile app launched
With the aim of making the scheme more accessible to youth, Sitharaman launched a dedicated mobile app for PMIS at the event. The app will allow candidates to browse opportunities, submit applications, and receive real-time updates on their applications.
Minister of State Harsh Malhotra described the initiative as a game-changer for young professionals and a key enabler of India’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision.
“With this mobile app, internship opportunities are now in the hands of our youth. They can not only apply for internships but also stay updated with the latest developments. Companies participating in the scheme will also benefit from a streamlined process of managing applications and selecting candidates,” Malhotra said.
Skill development
The PMIS initiative aligns with the government’s broader focus on skill development and employability, ensuring that young professionals are better prepared for the workforce. By providing structured industry exposure, the scheme aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations.
With the government’s call for wider industry participation and the launch of the mobile app, the PMIS is set to expand its reach and impact, potentially shaping the future workforce of India.
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