The Government today launched the pilot project of the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme. The scheme which was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2024-25, aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth in top 500 companies over five years. Sources in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs said, the total cost of the pilot project will be 800 crore rupees and will be rolled out in seven districts of  Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Telangana.  Sources added that the government aims to provide 1.25 lakh internship opportunities during the Financial Year 2024-25. It will be implemented through an online portal pminternship.mca.gov.in

Candidates can apply for an internship through the portal from the 12th to the 25th of this month. The duration of the internship will be 12 months. The top companies for this Pilot Project have been identified based on the average Corporate Social Responsibility expenditure of the last three years. Participation of the companies in this Scheme is voluntary.  Apart from this, any other company, bank or financial institution desirous of participating in the Scheme, may do so with the approval of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Sources said, youth aged between 21 and 24  years who are not employed full-time and also not engaged in full-time education are eligible for the scheme.