Ministry of Corporate Affairs is running Prime Minister's Internship Scheme 2026 for young Indians who want real work experience in the country's top companies. Eligible youth between 18 and 25 years can get a monthly stipend of ₹9,000, a one-time joining grant of ₹6,000, and insurance cover during the internship.
Registration on the official portal pminternship.mca.gov.in is free and applications keep opening in rounds throughout the year. The scheme gives internships to 1 crore youth over five years in the top 500 companies of India, and the rules were updated in March 2026 with a higher stipend and a wider age limit.
Prime Minister's Internship Scheme - Introduction
Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS) was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 and launched on 3 October 2024. Ministry of Corporate Affairs runs the scheme and selects companies from the top 500 firms of India based on their CSR spending. Banking, oil and gas, automotive, FMCG, telecom, IT, pharma, and infrastructure are some of the sectors where internships are available.
The scheme now works on a rolling model. Companies post new internship openings through the year instead of one fixed window, and the third round of the pilot phase is already running in 2026. There is no single last date for everyone, so candidates can apply to any opening that is live on the portal.
The monthly stipend was increased from ₹5,000 to ₹9,000 from March 2026. The government pays the larger share directly to the bank account of the intern through DBT, and the host company contributes its part. New internships run for 6 to 9 months depending on the role, and interns from earlier pilot rounds continue at the old 12-month duration.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS) |
| Launched By | Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India |
| Beneficiaries | Indian youth aged 18 to 25 years |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹9,000 (government DBT share + company contribution) |
| One-Time Grant | ₹6,000 in two instalments of ₹3,000 |
| Internship Duration | 6 to 9 months |
| Family Income Limit | Under ₹12 lakh per year |
| Application Mode | Online, free |
| Official Website | pminternship.mca.gov.in |
Benefits
Selected candidates get a full support package during the internship:
- Monthly stipend of ₹9,000 - the government share comes by DBT and the host company adds its part, so the intern gets a steady monthly amount.
- One-time joining grant of ₹6,000 - paid in two instalments of ₹3,000 each, the first after joining is confirmed and the second after completing three months.
- Insurance cover under PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, with premiums paid by the government.
- QR-verified completion certificate - helps in building the resume and some colleges accept it for academic credit.
All payments are made through DBT to an Aadhaar-seeded bank account. There is no fee for registration or application anywhere in the process.
Eligibility
Check who can apply before starting the registration:
- Indian citizen aged between 18 and 25 years on the date of application.
- Passed at least Class 10, Class 12, ITI certificate, polytechnic diploma, or a graduate degree.
- Not working full-time and not studying full-time. Final-year graduate or postgraduate students, and online or distance learning students, can apply.
- Combined annual family income of the candidate, parents, and spouse should be under ₹12 lakh in the previous financial year.
- No member of the family should be a permanent or regular government employee. Contractual government staff do not count.
For a detailed list with examples, see the PM Internship Scheme eligibility guide.
Who Cannot Apply
Some candidates are not allowed under the scheme rules:
- Graduates or postgraduates of IITs, IIMs, IIITs, IISc, IISER, National Law Universities, or NIDs.
- Candidates with professional qualifications like CA, CMA, CS, MBBS, BDS, MBA, MPhil, or PhD.
- Anyone already getting training under another central or state government scheme, including those who completed NATS or NAPS training.
- Candidates who were terminated from a previous PMIS internship, or who dropped out twice.
Application Process
Application is fully online and takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Follow these steps:
STEP 1 - Go to the official portal at pminternship.mca.gov.in and click on Login/Register. Enter the mobile number, verify it with OTP, and set a password to create the account.
STEP 2 - Complete the e-KYC using Aadhaar OTP or DigiLocker. This step unlocks full internship details and the Apply button on the portal.
STEP 3 - Fill the profile with personal details, education qualifications in order, and upload certificates as PDF. Keep the profile complete because incomplete profiles cannot apply.
STEP 4 - Browse the internship listings and filter by state, district, sector, or keyword. Apply to the openings that match, but remember the limit of 3 active applications at one time.
STEP 5 - Track the application on the candidate dashboard. If selected, accept the offer within 14 days, otherwise it lapses on its own.
STEP 6 - Seed Aadhaar with the bank account before joining and report on the joining date given in the offer letter. The stipend starts once joining is verified.
Documents Required
Keep these documents ready before starting the application:
- Aadhaar Card - needed for e-KYC and DBT payments.
- Educational certificates - Class 10, Class 12, ITI, diploma, or degree as applicable.
- Bank account details - the account must be Aadhaar-seeded for stipend transfer.
- Passport size photo and income proof - income certificate or self-declaration if needed.
References
Relevant resources and official links:
- Official PM Internship Portal
- Official Scheme Guidelines
- Helpline number 1800 11 6090 and helpdesk email pminternship@mca.gov.in
FAQ's
What is the monthly stipend under Prime Minister's Internship Scheme 2026?
Selected interns get ₹9,000 per month. The government sends its share through DBT and the host company pays the rest. A one-time joining grant of ₹6,000 is also given in two instalments of ₹3,000.
What is the age limit for PM Internship Scheme?
Applicants should be between 18 and 25 years on the date of application. The age limit was 21 to 24 years earlier and was widened in the March 2026 update.
Can final-year students apply?
Yes. Final-year graduate and postgraduate students can apply, along with online and distance learning students. They should not be in full-time employment.
How long does the internship last?
New internships run for 6 to 9 months depending on the role and company. Interns from earlier pilot rounds continue at the 12-month duration.
Is there any application fee?
No. Registration and application on the official portal are completely free. Any website or agent asking for money for PMIS registration is not genuine.
Does the scheme guarantee a job after the internship?
No. The scheme does not promise a job, but some companies offer pre-placement offers to interns who complete at least half of the internship. A completion certificate is issued after finishing the full duration.