PM Internship Scheme
Last updated: April 23, 2026 | Reviewed by: Research Desk, Policy & Careers (tracking PMIS since pilot launch, Oct 2024)
Can I apply for PM Internship Scheme?
Yes, you can apply in April 2026 if you are an Indian aged 18-25, not in a full-time job, and either a graduate OR a final-year UG/PG student with a college NOC. Selected interns get ₹9,000 per month + ₹6,000 one-time grant, insurance, and a certificate for a 6-12 month stint in 300+ partner companies. Apply only at pminternship.mca.gov.in. Round III is live; applications are rolling through April 2026.
This guide is written for students searching “PM Internship Scheme 2026 apply online” We reviewed MCA press notes, Lok Sabha replies from Feb-March 2026, and live portal data to give you what actually matters: eligibility, money, and how to avoid rejection.
What is the PM Internship Scheme, really?
The PM Internship Scheme (PMIS) is a paid, government-facilitated internship, not a job scheme. Launched as a pilot on October 3, 2024, after the 2024-25 Budget, it places youth in top companies to learn on the job.
The government’s stated goal is skill-building, not placement. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs told Parliament the scheme focuses on “building industry-relevant skills, improving employability, providing exposure to corporate work environments”.
Our take after tracking two rounds: It works best if you need structured corporate exposure and can commit 6-12 months near a company hub. It is not a short summer internship.
What’s New in April 2026 (Why it’s trending)
Three changes made headlines this week:
- Final-year students allowed: Announced April 22, 2026 by MCA after consultation with the Department of Higher Education. You no longer need to wait for graduation.
- Stipend hiked: From ₹5,000 to ₹9,000/month effective March 2026 to improve retention.
- Round III live: Started March 20, 2026 with revised guidelines; portal is accepting applications now.
MCA says this aligns with NEP 2020’s push for experiential learning while studying.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Money: ₹9,000/month + ₹6,000 joining grant + accident/life insurance. Certificate on completion.
- Duration: 6-9 months advertised; pilot structure runs up to 12 months. At least 50% must be hands-on work, not classroom.
- Scale: 300+ companies onboard. Round I: 621,000 applications → ∼28,000 joined. Round II: 455,000 applications → ∼24,600 joined. Over 16,060 interns had joined by March 15, 2026.
- Target: 10 million internships over 5 years, but pilot is extended till Dec 2026 with ∼1.1 lakh opportunities planned.
- Funding reality: Budget was cut 56% to ₹4,788 crore for FY27 after low utilisation (only ₹32 crore spent in FY25, ₹526 crore revised estimate for FY26).
Can You Apply? Eligibility Criteria
Answer these honestly:
- Age Profile: You must be an Indian citizen, typically aged between 21 and 24 yearsHowever, the pilot phase has recently expanded to include final-year UG and PG students aged 18 to 25 years
- In full-time job? Must be NO.
- Studying full-time? Must be NO — unless you are in final year. Then you need an NOC.
- Educational Qualifications: You must have completed at least Class 10, Class 12, or hold a diploma or degree such as a BA, B.Com, B.Sc, BBA, BCA, or B.Pharma.
- Excluded? You are NOT eligible if you are from IIT/IIM/IISER, a CA/CMA, or your family has a government job or income >₹8 lakh/year.
Ineligibility: You are not eligible to apply if you are currently working full-time, enrolled in full-time education (unless you fall under the final-year exception), or if you already hold a higher qualification such as a Master’s degree, MBA, CA, or MBBS. Graduates from premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, and NLUs are also excluded, as are candidates whose family income exceeds ₹8 lakh for FY 2023-24
Final-year NOC: Must be signed by HoD/Dean/Principal/TPO and state internship won’t affect academics.
Is PM Internship Scheme Worth It? Honest Pros and Cons
Good for you if:
- You need a paid, long internship with a certificate from a recognised company
- You live within 5-10 km of industrial hubs (location is the #1 reason for dropouts, per Minister’s Lok Sabha reply)
- You can commit 6+ months without expecting a job offer
Think twice if:
- You need >₹15,000/month to survive in metros — ₹9,000 is better than unpaid, but tight
- You want a 2-month summer internship — PMIS is longer
- You are from an excluded category (see above)
Data point: Over 7,292 candidates exited early as of March 2026. Low stipend and location mismatch were cited officially.
How to Apply Online for PM Internship Scheme
Do this on a laptop. Portal: pminternship.mca.gov.in
Application Steps
- Visit the official website: Go to the official portal at pminternship.mca.gov.in.
- Register: Click on the “Register” link available on the homepage.
- Enter your details: Fill in your personal and academic information and submit it. The portal will automatically generate a resume based on the inputs you provide.
- Select your preferences: You can choose up to 5 internships based on your preferred location, sector, and qualifications.
- Submit and confirm: Submit your final application and download the confirmation page. It is highly recommended to keep a printed copy of this confirmation for future reference.
Required Documents When completing your application, you will need to upload the following documents:
- Your Aadhaar Card
- The final examination certificate or marksheet for your most recent academic qualification
- If you are a final-year undergraduate or postgraduate student, you must additionally provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your institution.This NOC ensures that the internship will not interfere with your academic studies
Pro tip from portal testing: Upload a single PDF for certificates (<2MB). Many rejections happen due to blurry NOCs.
Documents Checklist
- Aadhaar (ID proof)
- Class 10 + highest qualification marksheet
- Passport-size photo (white background)
- Bank passbook for DBT
- Final-year only: NOC on college letterhead (see [sample NOC format] – internal link)
- Disability/EWS certificate if applicable
Important Dates for 2026
- Round III opened: March 20, 2026
- Final-year eligibility notified: April 22, 2026
- Application window: Rolling through April 2026 (no fixed last date announced; apply early as companies close roles individually)
- Selection: Ongoing — check portal weekly
- 3 Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
Based on our analysis of Round I & II data:
- Wrong location preference: 70% of offers were in 7 metros. Select realistic cities.
- Incomplete NOC: Must mention “will not interfere with academic requirements” verbatim.
- Applying while in full-time course (not final year): System flags enrollment via DigiLocker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I get the ₹6,000 immediately?
After onboarding verification, usually with first stipend.
Is PM Internship Scheme a government job?
No. MCA clarifies interns are not employees.
Can I do it remotely?
Very few roles are remote. Portal filters show <5% work-from-home.
What after completion?
You get a digital certificate from MCA + company. No placement guarantee.
Sources: https://pminternship.mca.gov.in/
Hardik Maurya
I am a dedicated news blogger and writer with 5 years of experience in the field. My goal is to provide you with clear, honest, and well-researched information on the news that matters most.
I specialize in breaking down complex government schemes, tech updates, and current events into simple language. I believe that everyone deserves access to reliable news they can actually use, which is why I prioritize accuracy and transparency in every article I write for this blog.