PM Internship Scheme passes 30,000 joinings after stipend rise to Rs 9,000
Representative image: StartupStockPhotos / Pixabay
Over 30,000 youth have joined the PM Internship Scheme's revamped third round with a Rs 9,000 stipend, officials said in October 2026; offers stay open until December.
What Happened
More than 30,000 young people have joined companies as interns in the third pilot round of the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme, and officials expect the number to approach 40,000 by the end of October 2026, according to a report published this week citing government officials. The round is the first since the Ministry of Corporate Affairs revamped the scheme, raising the monthly stipend from Rs 5,000 to Rs 9,000, widening the age band from 21-24 to 18-25 years, and cutting the internship length from 12 months to six to nine months. Companies will keep posting internship offers until December 2026, and selected candidates can join until January 2027, with applications made through the official portal, pminternship.mca.gov.in.
Key Facts
- Over 30,000 candidates have joined host organisations in the third pilot round, expected to near 40,000 by end-October 2026, officials said.
- Monthly stipend: raised to Rs 9,000 from Rs 5,000; selected interns also get a one-time grant of Rs 6,000.
- Eligibility: age range widened to 18-25 years, and eligible final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students may now apply.
- Duration: six or nine months, down from one year.
- Host organisations now include MSMEs, global capability centres, professional bodies and statutory bodies.
- Offers will be posted until December 2026; candidates can join until January 2027.
- The government's target is 1.1 lakh internship opportunities by December 2026, and an official said early drop-out rates had fallen below 10%.
Why It Matters
The changes in round three were designed to make an internship easier to say yes to. A higher stipend, a shorter commitment and a wider choice of employers, including smaller firms closer to home, make an internship easier to accept. The rise in joinings, from about 10,000 reported in July to over 30,000 now, suggests the changes are working, though the final count will be known only when the round ends.
For students and recent graduates, the scheme is one of the few large, government-backed routes to paid work experience with established organisations. Allowing final-year students to apply means some can line up an internship before they graduate, rather than waiting through a gap after their results. Interns earn Rs 9,000 a month and receive a one-time grant, and the work experience can strengthen applications for full-time jobs.
The scheme is still a pilot, and the government has not decided on its next phase. Officials say the third round could be the last before a full rollout, which is why its numbers matter.
| Feature | Earlier rounds | Third round |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly stipend | Rs 5,000 | Rs 9,000 |
| Age band | 21-24 years | 18-25 years |
| Duration | 12 months | 6 to 9 months |
| Final-year students | Not eligible | Eligible |
Impact
Short-term: Young people aged 18 to 25 can still apply for internships posted until December 2026 and join by January 2027.
Long-term: If the round meets its targets, the government may move the scheme beyond the pilot stage, making paid internships a regular option for lakhs of young Indians.
Who is affected: Students and young graduates aged 18-25, especially those from smaller towns, participating companies and MSMEs, and colleges whose final-year students can now apply.
Key Takeaway
After a revamp that nearly doubled the stipend and shortened internships, the PM Internship Scheme's third round has passed 30,000 joinings, with offers open until December 2026.
Questions and Answers
How much stipend does the PM Internship Scheme pay now?
Interns in the third round get Rs 9,000 a month, up from Rs 5,000, plus a one-time grant of Rs 6,000.
Who can apply for the PM Internship Scheme?
Young people aged 18 to 25 who meet the scheme's conditions, including eligible final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students, can apply through pminternship.mca.gov.in.
How long does the internship last?
Six or nine months in the revamped round, instead of the earlier one year.
Is it too late to apply in this round?
No. Companies will keep posting offers until December 2026, and selected candidates can join until January 2027.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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