Archive · 10 Aug 2026
PM Internship Scheme faces challenge getting youth to accept jobs
The PM Internship Scheme is a government programme that helps young people in India get paid work experience at companies.
Young people who join receive Rs 9,000 every month and one extra payment of Rs 6,000.
The government wants millions of young Indians to take part.
However, many young people are not accepting the internships that are offered.
One big reason is that most internships are located in places like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
It can be hard for young people from states like Bihar and Jharkhand to move so far for the internship.
Another reason is that many internship jobs are in manufacturing, but many applicants want jobs in the services sector.
The government is holding camps in cities like Chennai, Pune and Dantewada to help young people apply and understand the roles.
It has also changed the rules so final-year graduate and postgraduate students can apply.
As of July 16, 98,632 young people were redirected from the MY Bharat platform to the PMIS portal for registration and applications.
The government has organised outreach camps in Chennai, Pune and Dantewada to connect candidates directly with companies.
Internships are concentrated in hubs such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, making relocation difficult for candidates from Bihar and Jharkhand.
A sectoral mismatch exists, with a large share of opportunities in manufacturing and allied sectors while applicants prefer services-sector roles.
The scheme offers monthly assistance of Rs 9,000 plus a one-time incidental grant of Rs 6,000, and now includes final-year graduate and postgraduate students.
- Who
- The Government of India's PM Internship Scheme (PMIS) and young Indian candidates, including final-year graduate and postgraduate students.
- What
- The scheme offers paid internships, but many young people are not accepting or joining available opportunities due to location and sectoral mismatches.
- When
- Data cited as of July 16; the article does not state its publication date.
- Where
- India — with opportunities concentrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, and outreach camps held in Chennai, Pune and Dantewada.
- Why
- Candidates face challenges with relocation costs, internship location and duration, and many prefer services-sector roles over the manufacturing roles on offer.
- Scheme
- PM Internship Scheme (PMIS)
- Monthly assistance
- Rs 9,000
- One-time incidental grant
- Rs 6,000
- Youth redirected from MY Bharat (as of July 16)
- 98,632
- Outreach camp locations
- Chennai, Pune and Dantewada
- Key internship hubs
- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu
- Eligibility expansion
- Includes final-year graduate and postgraduate students
- Reported reasons for declining internships
- Location, duration of internships and lack of interest in certain roles