Everything about the PM Internship Scheme 2026 - monthly stipend of Rs 5,000, eligible companies, age and education criteria, application process and selection timeline.
The PM Internship Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 to provide real-world work experience to one crore young Indians over five years. Targeted at youth aged 21 to 24 who lack formal employment or full-time education, the scheme places interns with India's top 500 companies for 12 months, with a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 and a one-time assistance of Rs 6,000.
As of September 2026, the scheme is in its second full year of implementation, with over 12 lakh internships offered across 280+ participating companies. This guide covers everything you need to know about the PM Internship Scheme in 2026: eligibility, benefits, the application process, company list and how to maximise your chances of selection.
Key highlights of PM Internship Scheme
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS) |
| Portal | pminternship.mca.gov.in |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Monthly stipend | Rs 5,000 (Rs 4,500 from government + Rs 500 from company) |
| One-time assistance | Rs 6,000 (paid upfront from PM Internship Fund) |
| Insurance | Rs 2 lakh accident insurance under PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana |
| Target | 1 crore internships over 5 years (FY2025 to FY2029) |
| Age limit | 21 to 24 years |
Eligibility criteria
Who can apply?
- Age: 21 to 24 years on the date of application.
- Education: Must not be a full-time student at the time of application. Candidates who have completed or dropped out of ITI, polytechnic, diploma, graduation (BA, B.Com, B.Sc, BBA, BCA etc.) or higher secondary (Class 12) are eligible.
- Employment status: Must not be currently employed full-time. Part-time or gig work is acceptable.
- Family income: Annual family income should not exceed Rs 8,00,000 per annum.
- Exclusions: Candidates from families where any member is a government employee or income tax payer (above the basic exemption limit) are not eligible.
Education qualifications accepted
| Qualification | Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Class 10 pass | No (minimum Class 12 required) |
| Class 12 pass | Yes |
| ITI certificate | Yes |
| Diploma / Polytechnic | Yes |
| Graduation (any stream) | Yes |
| Post-graduation | Yes (but age limit still applies) |
| Currently enrolled full-time | No |
Monthly stipend and financial benefits
The total financial benefit for a 12-month internship:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly stipend (government share) | Rs 4,500 x 12 = Rs 54,000 |
| Monthly stipend (company share) | Rs 500 x 12 = Rs 6,000 |
| One-time assistance | Rs 6,000 |
| Total for 12 months | Rs 66,000 |
Additionally, interns receive Rs 2 lakh accident insurance coverage at no cost.
The stipend is credited directly to the intern's bank account (DBT) on a monthly basis. The one-time assistance of Rs 6,000 is paid within the first month of joining.
List of participating companies
The PM Internship Scheme targets India's top 500 companies by CSR spending. Some of the prominent participating companies include:
IT and Technology: TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, L&T Technology Services
Banking and Financial Services: State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Bank of Baroda, LIC, Bajaj Finance
Manufacturing: Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp, Larsen & Toubro
FMCG and Retail: Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Reliance Retail, Dabur, Godrej Consumer Products, Britannia
Energy and Infrastructure: NTPC, ONGC, Indian Oil, Adani Group, Reliance Industries, Power Grid Corporation
Pharmaceuticals: Sun Pharma, Cipla, Dr Reddy's, Biocon, Lupin, Divi's Laboratories
Telecom: Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea
The full list of participating companies is updated regularly on the official portal pminternship.mca.gov.in.
How to apply for PM Internship Scheme
Step 1: Register on the portal
Visit pminternship.mca.gov.in and click "Candidate Registration." Enter your Aadhaar number, mobile number and email address. Verify through OTP.
Step 2: Complete your profile
Fill in your educational qualifications, skills, location preference (up to 3 cities), sector preference (up to 3 sectors) and personal details. Upload a passport-size photograph and relevant educational certificates.
Step 3: Browse and apply for internships
Once your profile is complete, you can browse available internship opportunities. Each listing shows the company name, location, sector, role description and duration. You can apply to up to 5 internships at a time.
Step 4: Company shortlisting
Companies review applications and shortlist candidates based on their profile, qualifications and preferences. Shortlisted candidates are notified via SMS and email.
Step 5: Acceptance and onboarding
If shortlisted, you must accept the offer within 7 days. After acceptance, the company provides an onboarding date, joining instructions and a brief orientation.
Step 6: Monthly attendance and stipend
Interns must maintain a minimum 80 percent attendance each month. Stipend is released after the company confirms attendance on the portal.
Selection process and tips
The selection is not based on competitive exams. Companies select interns based on:
- Profile completeness: Fill every section of your profile. Incomplete profiles are automatically ranked lower.
- Skills match: Highlight skills relevant to the sectors you are applying for.
- Location flexibility: Candidates willing to relocate to multiple cities have a higher selection rate.
- Sector alignment: Apply to sectors where your educational background is relevant. A B.Com graduate applying for finance roles has better chances than applying for engineering roles.
Tips to improve your chances
- Complete your profile to 100 percent. Do not leave any optional field blank.
- Write a clear, specific summary of your skills and interests in the profile description.
- Apply to all 5 allowed internships rather than just one or two.
- Choose locations in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities; competition is lower than in metros.
- Check the portal weekly for new openings as companies post internships in batches.
What happens after the internship?
The PM Internship Scheme is designed as a bridge to formal employment. Here is what typically happens:
- Direct absorption: Some companies offer full-time employment to high-performing interns. Reports suggest a 15 to 25 percent conversion rate.
- Experience certificate: Every intern receives a government-recognised experience certificate that adds significant value to their resume.
- Skill development: 12 months of real-world experience in a top company provides practical skills that improve employability across all sectors.
- Network building: Working inside a large organisation exposes you to professionals and opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Comparison with other government employment schemes
| Feature | PM Internship Scheme | PMKVY | Skill India Mission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Paid internship | Free training | Training + certification |
| Duration | 12 months | 2-6 months | Varies |
| Stipend | Rs 5,000/month | Rs 200-500/day (during training) | Varies |
| Placement | With top 500 companies | Sector-wise | Sector-wise |
| Age limit | 21-24 years | 15-45 years | 15-45 years |
Frequently encountered issues
Portal login problems: Clear your browser cache and try using Chrome or Firefox. The portal sometimes has high traffic during new batch announcements.
Aadhaar verification failure: Ensure your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar. If biometric verification fails, use OTP-based verification.
No internships in my city: The scheme is gradually expanding to more cities. Select nearby cities as alternatives and check back regularly.
Stipend delay: The first month's stipend may take 30 to 45 days after joining. Subsequent months are usually credited by the 10th of the following month.
Skills you will gain during the internship
The 12-month internship is designed to provide practical exposure that formal education often misses. Depending on your assigned role and department, you may develop skills in the following areas:
- Corporate communication: Professional email writing, presentation skills and meeting etiquette that are rarely taught in colleges but essential in any workplace.
- Domain expertise: Whether placed in finance, operations, marketing, HR or technology, you gain hands-on understanding of how large organisations function in that domain.
- Digital literacy: Most companies train interns on internal tools, CRM software, ERP systems and data analysis platforms that are widely used across industries.
- Team collaboration: Working in cross-functional teams teaches you how to coordinate with colleagues from different backgrounds and departments.
- Problem-solving: Real-world projects involve ambiguity, deadlines and resource constraints, skills that cannot be simulated in a classroom.
Many past interns have reported that the experience certificate and skills gained helped them secure private sector jobs with starting salaries 30 to 50 percent higher than they would have received without the internship experience.
Financial planning during and after internship
With a stipend of Rs 5,000 per month plus the one-time Rs 6,000 assistance, here is a suggested allocation:
- Living expenses (if relocating): Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000
- Savings and investment: Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000
Even saving Rs 1,000 per month in a SIP can build a small corpus over time. Use our SIP calculator to see how even modest monthly investments compound over the years.
*This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Visit pminternship.mca.gov.in for the most current information on eligibility, companies and application timelines.*
Frequently asked questions
What is the PM Internship Scheme 2026?
The PM Internship Scheme is a government initiative to provide 12-month paid internships to youth aged 21 to 24 with India's top 500 companies. Interns receive Rs 5,000 per month as stipend, Rs 6,000 one-time assistance and Rs 2 lakh accident insurance coverage.
What is the stipend under PM Internship Scheme?
The total monthly stipend is Rs 5,000: Rs 4,500 paid by the government and Rs 500 by the host company. Additionally, a one-time assistance of Rs 6,000 is provided at the start of the internship. The total financial benefit over 12 months is Rs 66,000.
What is the age limit for PM Internship Scheme?
The age limit is 21 to 24 years on the date of application. Candidates below 21 or above 24 are not eligible regardless of their educational qualifications.
How to apply for PM Internship Scheme online?
Register on pminternship.mca.gov.in with your Aadhaar and mobile number, complete your profile with educational and skill details, browse available internships, and apply to up to 5 positions. Companies shortlist candidates and notify them via SMS and email.
Which companies are part of PM Internship Scheme?
India's top 500 companies by CSR spending participate, including TCS, Infosys, SBI, HDFC Bank, Tata Steel, Reliance, Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Maruti Suzuki, NTPC and many more. The full updated list is available on the official portal.
Can final year students apply for PM Internship?
No, candidates currently enrolled as full-time students are not eligible. You must have completed your education or dropped out before applying. Part-time or distance education students may be eligible if they meet the other criteria.
Is there a family income limit for PM Internship Scheme?
Yes, the annual family income must not exceed Rs 8,00,000. Additionally, families where any member is a government employee or an income tax payer above the basic exemption limit are not eligible.
Will I get a job after PM Internship?
The scheme does not guarantee employment, but approximately 15 to 25 percent of interns receive full-time job offers from their host companies. All interns receive a government-recognised experience certificate that significantly improves their employability.