Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
PM Internship Scheme's third pilot draws about 40,000 candidates
About 40,000 candidates have joined the third pilot round of India's PM Internship Scheme, which places eligible young people in internships with companies.
That is 2.5 times the total turnout of the first two rounds, when 16,060 candidates took up internships.
The scheme aims to improve young people's job prospects by giving them practical work experience and help address a gap between workers' skills and industry needs.
The government raised the monthly stipend to ₹9,000 from ₹5,000 and also relaxed age limits and internship-duration rules.
Companies have posted more than 150,000 internship opportunities in this round, and over 500 companies are participating.
The stronger response has led the ministry to consider a full rollout next year without another pilot round, though no final decision is stated.
About 40,000 candidates have joined the PM Internship Scheme’s third pilot round so far, around 2.5 times the combined turnout of its first two rounds.
The third round has drawn more than 150,000 internship postings from companies, compared with about 245,000 in the first two rounds combined.
Changes include a higher monthly stipend, relaxed age limits and more flexible internship durations.
The response has led the corporate affairs ministry to consider launching the full programme next year without another pilot round.
The scheme aims to improve youth employability through practical work experience in companies.
- Who
- About 40,000 candidates have joined the third pilot round. More than 500 companies are participating.
- What
- The PM Internship Scheme’s third pilot round has drawn about 40,000 candidates so far.
- When
- The third round began in March and runs through December. The article was published on 6 November 2026.
- Where
- On the PM Internship portal and at participating companies in India.
- Why
- The scheme aims to improve youth employability by providing practical work experience. Changes to the scheme include a higher stipend and more flexible eligibility and internship terms.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The corporate affairs ministry launched the scheme’s first pilot round.
The second pilot round began.
The third pilot round began; it is scheduled to run through December.
Mint reported that about 40,000 candidates had joined the third round so far.
- Candidates in third round
- About 40,000
- Internship postings in third round
- More than 150,000
- Monthly stipend
- ₹9,000, up from ₹5,000
- Participating companies in third round
- More than 500
- Candidates in first two rounds
- 16,060 combined
- Initial five-year target
- 10 million internships