New Delhi: India’s recently launched PM Internship Scheme has quickly gained momentum, with the energy, automotive, banking, and financial services sectors emerging as the largest contributors. According to data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, these industries together account for approximately two-thirds of the more than 125,000 internships available so far under the initiative. The scheme, designed to bridge India’s skill gap by offering practical experience to young professionals, aims to equip candidates with essential skills in critical sectors to enhance their employability.
The initiative, which was introduced in the Union Budget for FY25, forms part of a larger goal to provide internships to 10 million candidates over five years, focusing on the country’s top 500 companies. A dedicated portal for candidate registration was launched last month, and since then, interest has surged with over 300,000 candidates already registered.
Leading Sectors in Internship Opportunities
The scheme highlights the need to focus on key industries driving India’s economic growth and sustainability goals:
- Energy Sector: Leading the way, the energy sector, which includes oil, gas, and renewable energy companies, offers the highest number of internships at 29,100 positions. This emphasis on energy underscores the sector’s role in supporting India’s ambitions for energy security and a transition to sustainable sources, with industry giants prioritizing fresh talent for innovation and long-term goals.
- Automotive Sector: The automotive industry, which is integral to India’s industrial and export growth, has offered 22,000 internships, highlighting the demand for skilled professionals in areas such as electric vehicles, automation, and sustainable mobility. India’s push toward greener transportation and advanced automotive technology has created a need for a workforce skilled in modern automotive engineering and manufacturing.
- Banking and Financial Services: With 12,265 internships, the financial sector is a significant contributor. This sector has been transforming rapidly with the growth of digital payments, fintech innovation, and the integration of AI-driven financial solutions. The PM Internship Scheme provides students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in these evolving financial practices.
- Travel and Tourism: Despite challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel and tourism sector has bounced back with 15,639 internship opportunities. This industry’s resilience is critical, as it remains a significant employer and a source of revenue for India. Internships here focus on areas such as hospitality management, travel planning, and tourism marketing, preparing candidates for dynamic roles in a revitalized industry.
Additional sectors, including metals, mining, and manufacturing, have also joined the initiative, each contributing around 8,000 to 9,000 internships. This broad distribution reflects a concerted effort to include essential growth industries crucial for building a skilled and adaptable workforce across the country.
Nationwide Rollout and Initial Targets
The government introduced a dedicated online portal last month to streamline candidate registration, and plans for a comprehensive rollout are already underway. During this pilot phase, the scheme has set an ambitious target to reach 100,000 internships by December. This initiative aligns with India’s broader five-year vision to provide millions of young Indians with industry-relevant skills and experience that can prepare them for jobs in diverse fields.
To achieve this, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has been closely coordinating with the Ministry of Skill Development and leading corporations across sectors. The collaboration reflects the government’s commitment to not only create job opportunities but also address the skill mismatch that often hampers employability for new graduates.
Regional Distribution and Corporate Participation
Internships are being offered across 745 districts, making it one of the most geographically inclusive government schemes aimed at employment. Major industrial states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have taken the lead, collectively offering the highest share of internships. With internships now available in tier-two and tier-three cities as well as rural areas, candidates can access job training without needing to relocate to urban centers.
A wide range of corporations have signed up for the scheme, reflecting the private sector’s enthusiasm for this government-led initiative. Companies such as Jubilant Foodworks, Maruti Suzuki, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Reliance Industries, and Eicher Motors are among the 280 firms participating. These companies, spanning from manufacturing and automotive to retail and technology, underscore the broad appeal and strategic importance of the PM Internship Scheme for Indian industry.
Industry Leaders Praise the Scheme’s Impact
The scheme has garnered positive feedback from both the industry and prospective interns. Aditya Ghosh, Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) National Committee on Skill Development and Livelihood, praised the PM Internship Scheme as a significant step towards industry-led skilling in India. “We have seen an overwhelmingly positive response from the industry in the pilot phase, with more than 125,000 internships posted on the portal. We have participation from diverse sectors, not only in manufacturing and automotive but also in banking, financial services, oil and gas, energy, retail, hospitality, healthcare, IT-ITES, life sciences, and steel,” Ghosh said.
Ghosh also highlighted the scheme’s inclusivity. “Many internships are being offered in tier-two and tier-three cities, and even in rural areas, which brings opportunities closer to candidates. This direct access means that they don’t need to relocate, making it easier for candidates from diverse backgrounds to participate.”
The scheme’s benefits extend beyond mere work experience. It provides candidates with hands-on exposure to real-world projects in leading companies while also offering mentorship from industry experts. This dual approach, according to Ghosh, directly enhances employability by equipping young professionals with practical skills and industry insights.
Meeting the Needs of a Changing Labor Market
The PM Internship Scheme comes at a critical juncture for India’s labor market, as digitalization, automation, and evolving technologies reshape the workforce’s requirements. The shift to a more digitized economy, accelerated by COVID-19, has led to an increased demand for skills in areas like data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing.
Ghosh emphasized that the PM Internship Scheme aligns well with these changes, helping to close the gap between the skills available in the workforce and those needed by modern industries. “With this scheme, candidates will not only gain practical work experience but will also be mentored by industry experts, enhancing their employability,” he said.
The Ministry of Skill Development is also working to implement additional measures to ensure the scheme’s relevance and adaptability. Plans are in place to expand digital and virtual internships to reach a larger pool of candidates and to address the growing demand for remote work skills.
A Future-Ready Workforce
The PM Internship Scheme is set to be a game-changer in preparing India’s youth for a skill-driven, future-ready economy. By partnering with industry leaders and focusing on skills that meet current and future demands, the scheme aims to ensure that young professionals are better equipped to enter and succeed in India’s evolving job market.
This initiative is seen as part of a larger strategy to prepare India’s workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and to position the country as a global talent hub. As India’s economic landscape changes, schemes like this provide a sustainable model for upskilling the workforce and bridging the gap between education and employment.
With the scheme’s initial success and strong industry support, India’s PM Internship Scheme could set a benchmark for other countries looking to modernize their workforce and build a resilient economy.
Disclaimer: The thoughts and opinions stated in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities represented and we recommend referring to more recent and reliable sources for up-to-date information.
