She explained that the scheme aimed to offer exposure through internships, giving candidates a better understanding of what was available in the market and helping them receive training accordingly.
Responding to a question during the Question Hour, Nirmala Sitharaman said, “The intent of the program itself is not to provide a job but to provide exposure and, through the internship, any kind of awareness of what is there in the market for which they have to be trained.”
PM Internship Scheme not meant for jobs but for exposure: FM replies in Parliament
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/rh4eJLokdD#BudgetSession #PMInternshipScheme #RajyaSabha #QuestionHour pic.twitter.com/OtQFcR93Kp— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) February 4, 2025
As part of the government’s broader strategy for Viksit Bharat, the July 2024 budget proposed promoting manufacturing and services through
internship programs. The comprehensive initiative will provide internships to 1 crore youth over five years, offering them a chance to work in real-world business environments and explore various professions.
The program offers a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 and one-time assistance of ₹6,000, with companies expected to cover 10% of the internship and training costs through their CSR funds.
The PM Internship Scheme targets those who haven’t found opportunities due to a lack of skills or training. Sitharaman also noted that some companies were providing additional benefits, such as accommodation, to interns from different districts, although these perks were not part of the official scheme.
She said that the response from companies was encouraging, with many offering more benefits, prompting candidates to seek internships with these organisations.
The first pilot of the internship program started last year, and the second pilot began in January this year. About 80 more companies have joined the initiative, and Sitharaman expressed satisfaction with the positive response within the first four months following the budget announcement.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
