The PM Internship Scheme lets young people work inside big Indian companies for a few months and get paid for it. It’s run by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The rules changed a lot in 2026, so if you read about it last year, most of what you know is now old.
Here’s what’s new, who can apply, how much you get, and whether it’s really worth it.
Quick details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Run by | Ministry of Corporate Affairs |
| Age | 18 to 25 years |
| Monthly payment | ₹9,000 |
| One-time grant | ₹6,000 |
| Duration | 6 or 9 months |
| Where to apply | pminternship.mca.gov.in |
| Last date | No fixed date; listings open all year |
| Application fee | None |
What changed in 2026
The government revised the rules in March 2026. Here’s how the old rules compare with the new ones:
| Rule | Old (2024–25) | New (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Age limit | 21 to 24 years | 18 to 25 years |
| Monthly payment | ₹5,000 | ₹9,000 |
| Duration | 12 months | 6 or 9 months |
| Final-year students | Not allowed | Allowed with college NOC |
| Master’s degree holders | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Application window | Fixed rounds | Open all year (rolling) |
The biggest practical change is the last row. There’s no deadline to chase anymore. Companies keep posting internships, so you can apply whenever a listing you like is live.
Who can apply
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Age | 18 to 25 years |
| Education | 10th, 12th, ITI, diploma, graduation or master’s |
| Job status | Not working in a full-time job |
| Students | Final-year students allowed with an NOC from college |
| Distance/online learners | Allowed |
If you’re a final-year student, the NOC is a must. It’s a letter from your college saying the internship won’t clash with your studies. Without it, you can’t join even if you’re selected.
Who can’t apply
The original scheme guidelines (October 2024) list these groups as not eligible:
| Not eligible | Details |
|---|---|
| Top institutes | Graduates of IITs, IIMs, National Law Universities, IISERs, NIDs and IIITs |
| Professional degrees | CA, CMA, CS, MBBS or BDS holders (MBA was excluded in 2024; check the portal for 2026) |
| Other schemes | People currently in a central or state government skill, apprenticeship or internship programme |
| Past apprentices | Anyone who has already done an apprenticeship under NATS or NAPS |
| Family income | Any family member earning more than ₹8 lakh a year |
| Government job | Any family member in a permanent government job |
Here, “family” means you, your parents and your spouse. Government jobs include central and state governments, PSUs and local bodies. If your parent is a contract employee, you can still apply.
Some of these rules were changed in 2026. For example, master’s degree holders are now allowed. So before applying, read the eligibility section on the portal for the current rules.
How much you get
| Benefit | Amount | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly payment | ₹9,000 | ₹900 by company + up to ₹8,100 by government (DBT) |
| One-time grant | ₹6,000 | Government, after you join |
| Life insurance | PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana | Government pays premium |
| Accident insurance | PM Suraksha Bima Yojana | Government pays premium |
The government’s share depends on your attendance and the company confirming your payment. So skipping days can cut your money.
What happens if you drop out
This is important, and most people don’t know it. You’re marked as a dropout if you:
- stop going without telling your mentor,
- don’t reply when they contact you twice, or
- say you don’t want to continue.
| If you drop out | Result |
|---|---|
| Payments | Stop immediately |
| Certificate | Not given |
| Reapplying | Banned for one year |
If there’s a real emergency, like a medical problem or a death in the family, you can take a break of up to two months. You won’t be paid during the break, but you can come back and finish.
How to apply
- Go to pminternship.mca.gov.in and register using Aadhaar verification (eKYC).
- Fill in your personal details, education and skills, and upload proof of your qualifications. The portal makes a resume for you from this.
- Browse the internships. Each listing shows the company, role, city and duration.
- Apply to the ones that suit you.
- Log in regularly to check for offers. If you get one, accept or reject it on the portal.
Before you accept, check the city carefully. Many people accept and then drop out because the place is too far from home.
Documents to keep ready
| Document | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar card | For registration (eKYC) |
| Marksheets and certificates | To upload as proof of education |
| Bank account linked to Aadhaar | Money comes by DBT |
| College NOC | Only for final-year students |
| Income certificate | If the portal asks for it |
The honest part: pros and cons
| What’s good | What’s not so good |
|---|---|
| Big company name on your CV | Only about 7 in 100 applicants got offers in the current round |
| Real work; unskilled roles like cleaning or delivery aren’t allowed | ₹9,000 may not cover rent and food in a big city |
| Every intern gets a mentor or supervisor | 57.4% dropped out in the first round |
| Open to 10th and 12th pass | Not a job; no promise of hiring after |
| Free to apply | Dropping out means a one-year ban |
The numbers on the right matter. In the current round, about 3.5 lakh people applied but only 25,794 offers were made. And an economist quoted by Business Standard said people mostly drop out because they don’t want to move, the pay feels too low, or the work isn’t what they expected.
So, should you apply?
| Apply if… | Think twice if… |
|---|---|
| You’re unemployed | You already have a job offer |
| Your college has weak placements | The internship is in an expensive city far from home |
| You can manage on ₹9,000 a month | You have no family support where the internship is |
| The company is in or near your city | You’re not sure you can finish the full duration |
Tips to get selected
- Complete your whole profile. Half-filled profiles get ignored.
- Apply for roles that match your education. A commerce student applying for engineering roles won’t get picked.
- Look at less popular companies too. Big names get thousands of applications for each seat.
- Choose locations you can actually go to.
- Keep checking the portal, because new listings come in all the time.
Common questions
Is there any fee?
No. If anyone asks for money to “confirm your seat”, it’s a scam.
Can I apply while in college?
Only if you’re in your final year and have an NOC from your college.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes. The company gives you a Certificate of Completion when you finish. If you drop out, you don’t get one.
My father is a contract worker in a government office. Can I apply?
Yes. Only permanent or regular government employees in the family make you ineligible.
Does the company have to give me a job after?
No. Some may offer one, but it’s not promised.
I’m 26. Can I apply?
No. The limit is 25.
Is there a helpline if I have a problem?
Yes. The portal has a grievance section and chatbot for complaints, and there’s a helpline too. Check the portal for the current number.
Official link
- PM Internship portal: https://pminternship.mca.gov.in
Last checked 30 September 2026. We’ll update this post if the rules or amounts change.
