Government’s PM Internship Scheme Receives Over 6.2 Lakh Applications for 1.3 Lakh Opportunities
New Delhi, 3rd December 2024: The PM Internship Scheme has drawn an overwhelming response, with over 6.2 lakh applications submitted for approximately 1.3 lakh internship slots, the government informed Lok Sabha on Monday.
Launched as a pilot project in October, following its announcement in the Union Budget, the scheme aims to provide hands-on training to students and create a talent pool for industries. The government has earmarked Rs 840 crore for the program, which plans to train one crore students over five years.
The initiative, initially focusing on the top 500 companies with the highest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending, has gained significant traction from the corporate sector. “The scheme has received an encouraging response from both students and companies,” said Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, during the parliamentary session.
The first batch of internship offer letters was scheduled for distribution this week but has been postponed, according to sources. Despite the delay, the government has assured that the program is on track.
To ensure the scheme’s effectiveness, a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework has been established to assess outcomes and make necessary adjustments. Malhotra emphasized that this framework would play a critical role in tracking the scheme’s success and aligning it with industry needs.
With its ambitious goal of bridging the gap between academic learning and practical experience, the PM Internship Scheme is expected to be a game-changer in workforce development, addressing the talent demands of India’s rapidly growing industries.
