PMIS Frequently Asked Questions in English

Table of Contents

FOR CANDIDATES

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. What is the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS)?

The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme is a Government of India initiative aimed at providing internship opportunities to youth in top 500 companies of India. The program offers youth exposure to real-life business environments across sectors, helping them gain valuable skills and work experience. This scheme targets to offer one crore internships to youth over five years.

2. What is an internship? Why should I enrol myself in an internship program?

Internship is an arrangement between the intern and the company in which the company provides an opportunity to the intern to get training, gain experience and skills within the real-life environment of the business or organization that helps in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, in turn, assisting enhancement of her/his

3. Through the PM Internship Scheme, what kind of internships will I get?

Eligible candidates will get internships in different roles across sectors including IT and Software Development, Banking and Financial Services, Oil, Gas & Energy, Metals & Mining, FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), Telecom, Infrastructure & Construction, Retail & Consumer Durables, Cement & Building Materials, Automotive, Pharmaceutical, Aviation & Defence, Manufacturing & Industrial, Chemical, Media, Entertainment & Education, Agriculture and Allied, Consulting Services, Textile Manufacturing, Gems and Jewellery, Travel & Hospitality and Healthcare. Click here to see the companies that are offering opportunities in different sectors.

4. What kind of companies will I get to intern with?

Selected candidates will have the opportunity to intern with the top 500 companies from across India. Interning with these industry-leading companies will allow you to gain valuable experience, acquire new skills, and build important professional networks. The Company can also provide internship in its forward and backward supply chain and in other companies in its Group or otherwise.

5. What is the duration of the internship?

Internships under the PM Internship Scheme will be for a duration of one year (12 months).

6. Will I be sitting in a classroom during my internship?

At least half of the internship period (6 months) must be spent in the actual working experience/ job environment, and not in the classroom. While a certain part of the internship will include relevant training, a significant duration (at least 6 months) of your internship will focus on real-world experience in professional setups.

7. Will I get a job after my internship?

The PM Internship Scheme provides a valuable opportunity to learn and enhance your skills by working with top companies in India. While the scheme does not guarantee a job upon completion, the knowledge, practical experience, and professional networks you develop during the internship will significantly enhance your career prospects.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

8. Can I apply for the PM Internship Scheme?

To apply for the PM Internship Scheme, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be an Indian
  • You must be aged between 21-24 years (as on the last date for submission of the application).
  • You must not be employed full-time or engaged in full-time education (candidates enrolled in online or distance learning programmes are eligible).
  • You must have completed your Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or its equivalent, Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or its equivalent, or hold a certificate from an Industrial Training Institute (ITI), a diploma from a Polytechnic Institute, or a graduation degree such as BA, Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, B.Pharma, etc.

 For more information, click here.

9. Can international candidates apply for the PM Internship Scheme?

No, international candidates are not eligible to apply for the PM Internship Scheme.

10. Can I apply for an internship opportunity if I am enrolled in an online/distance/ correspondence course?

Yes, Candidates enrolled in online/ distance/correspondence learning programmes are eligible to apply.

11. Is there any provision for reservation to promote diversity and inclusion?

While the PM Internship Scheme does not have formal reservation provisions, the portal is designed to promote diversity and social inclusion. The algorithm ensures fair representation of all segments of the population, including SCs, STs, OBCs, and PwDs. The shortlisting process emphasizes diversity and inclusion, allowing companies to

select candidates based on their own criteria, while the portal ensures that candidates from diverse backgrounds are considered for internships. This approach helps promote social inclusivity in the program.

INELGIBILITY CONDITIONS

12. Who is not eligible for the PM Internship scheme?

You are not eligible to apply for the PM Internship Scheme if:

  • You are below 21 years or above 24 years of age (as on the last date for application submission).
  • You are currently engaged in full-time employment or full-time
  • You have graduated from specific institutions like IITs, IIMs, National Law Universities, IISER, NIDs, or
  • You hold qualifications such as CA, CMA, CS, MBBS, BDS, MBA, PhD, or any master’s or higher degree (recognized by the UGC).
  • You are undergoing any skill, apprenticeship, internship, or training programme under a Central or State Government
  • You have already completed an apprenticeship under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) or National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
  • The income of any of your family members (self, parents, or spouse) exceeds ₹8 lakh for FY 2023-24.
  • Any member of your family (self, parents, or spouse) is a permanent/regular government employee (excluding contractual employees). “Government” includes Central and State Governments, Union Territory administrations, Central and State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), statutory organizations, and local

For more information, click here.

13. Can I apply for an internship opportunity if I am enrolled in an online/distance/ correspondence course?

Yes, Candidates enrolled in online/ distance/correspondence learning programmes are eligible to apply.

14. Will having a master’s degree help me while applying for the PM Internship Scheme?

Candidates possessing a master’s degree or having qualifications such as CA, CMA, CS, MBBS, BDS, MBA cannot apply for an internship opportunity under the PM Internship Scheme.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

15. Will I get financial assistance for doing my internship?

After joining the internship, each intern will receive a monthly assistance of ₹5,000 for the entire duration of the 12-month internship. Of this amount:

  • Partner companies will release ₹500 each month based on the intern’s attendance and related company policies regarding good conduct,
  • Once the Company makes the payment, the Government will pay ₹4,500 to the candidate through the Direct Benefit Transfer to the intern’s Aadhaar seeded bank
  • Additionally, a one-time grant of ₹6,000 will be provided by the Government of India to each intern after joining the This amount will be disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) after joining the internship.
  • Insurance coverage shall be provided to each individual intern under insurance schemes of the Government of India, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, for which premium amount shall be provided by Government of In addition, the company may also provide additional accidental insurance coverage to the interns.

16. Will I get travel allowances or other support during the duration of the internship?

  • Partner companies may consider providing additional financial assistance or any other facilities as per their The internships that you opt for may or may not have any other benefits attached to them.
  • A one-time grant ₹6,000 will be provided by the Government of India to each intern after joining the This grant is to support you at the beginning of your internship journey.
  • Throughout your internship, you will receive monthly assistance of ₹5,000.

17. Will the insurance cover continue after the internship?

No, upon the completion of your internship the benefits of the insurance will lapse.

18. Will I receive financial assistance during the sabbatical (break) period?

Financial assistance will not be provided during the sabbatical (break) period.

19. Will I get any financial assistance to purchase clothes for my internship?

No specific financial assistance shall be provided for the purchase of clothes. However, after you join your internship, a onetime grant of ₹6000 will be transferred to your Aadhaar seeded bank account by the Government of India as financial assistance.

20. What is a Aadhaar seeded bank account?

Aadhaar seeding is essential for receiving Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) provided by various Government schemes.

Click here to understand the process of Aadhaar seeding

APPLICATION PROCESS

21. How will the interns be selected?

Interns will be selected through an objective, fair, socially inclusive and tech-driven process. Eligible candidates will register on the PM Internship portal (https://pminternship.mca.gov.in/), complete their profile, generate their CV, and submit their preferences from the list of opportunities available.

  • The shortlisting process will be based on the candidates’ preferences and the requirements posted by the The shortlisting criteria is aimed at promoting diversity and social inclusivity in the internship program. Portal uses tools to give representation to all segments of the population, including SCs, STs, OBCs as well as PwDs.
  • Depending on the number of offers for each internship, approximately twice /thrice as many names, along with the Resume of the candidates, will be sent to the company for
  • Then the company the will select candidates and make internship offers based on their respective selection

22. Which documents will I require for registering on the PM Internship Scheme portal?

Eligible candidates must keep the following documents handy while registering on the portal:

  • Aadhaar card
  • Educational certificates (Completion / final examination / assessment certificates will be considered)
  • Recent passport-size photograph (optional)

For other things, self-declaration shall suffice. No proof of documents is required.

23. How many internship opportunities can I apply for?

Candidates can apply for up to 5 internship options in one cycle, which can be selected based on their preferred location, sector, role, and qualifications.

24. Can I change my five internship preferences on the portal?

Yes, you are permitted to change your five preferences on the portal as many times as you want to, before the application deadline. However, once you submit your preferences, you cannot make changes anymore.

25. What if I am not selected for any of my five preferred opportunities?

Candidates can reapply for the future cycles of PM Internship Scheme if he/she is not selected for any of the five applied opportunities.

26. What is the maximum number of internships offers I can receive?

A candidate can receive up to two internship offers. Once an offer is received, the candidate may accept/reject the offer within the stipulated time window.

27. What If I do not wish to accept the internship(s) I have been shortlisted for?

Candidate can accept/reject their offer of However, in case a candidate rejects an internship, he/she will only be able to reapply in future cycles of the PM Internship Scheme.

28. If I accept an internship offer, how will I get the final offer letter?

Your final offer letter will be uploaded on the PMIS portal, apart from being sent to your registered email address.

OTHER ASSISTANCE

29. Is there a guarantee of employment after completing the internship?

No, the PMIS does not guarantee employment after completing the internship. However, companies may choose to offer employment to interns who demonstrate exceptional performance during their tenure. It is important to note that an internship offer does not create any contractual or legal employer-employee relationship between the Ministry, the company, and the intern. Additionally, the internship should not be construed as an offer or promise of future employment by either the company or the Ministry.

30. Can I extend the internship beyond 12 months?

No, the internship duration is fixed at 12 months. Extensions are not permitted under the PM Internship Scheme.

31. Can I take leaves during my internship?

Yes, you can take leaves in accordance with the partner company’s policies.

32. Will I get holidays?

Yes, selected candidates will be eligible for holidays as per their company’s holiday list.

33. In case of a medical or any other emergency, what do I do?

In such cases, interns may be granted a sabbatical (break) of up to two months, subject to company’s policies.

34. Can I rejoin the internship after a sabbatical (break)?

Yes, interns may rejoin and complete the remaining duration of the 12-month internship period if the break does not exceed two months.

35. What happens if the sabbatical (break) period is more than two months?

If the sabbatical (break) is more than two months, the intern will be required to discontinue the internship. The candidate may then reapply in the next internship offer cycle.

36. If I take a sabbatical (break) of less than two months, will I still get an internship certificate?

Yes, if the sabbatical (break) is less than two months, the candidate will still receive a certificate after the completion of internship as per the satisfaction of the company.

37. Can I request for a sabbatical (break) for reasons other than medical emergencies or family-related issues?

A sabbatical (break) may be granted in case of family emergency such as the demise of a family member, or such extenuating and emergency circumstances. Interns should consult with their supervisor or mentor to discuss their specific situation. The final decision of granting / not granting the break will rest with the company.

38. What happens if I need to leave the internship (drop out) before completion?

If an intern drops out of the internship before completion, he/she must inform his/her supervisor and the program coordinator.

39. Will I still get an internship certificate if I leave before completion (drop out)?

No, interns who drop out of the internship will not receive the completion certificate.

40. Can I apply again to other internships after leaving my current internship?

If you leave your current internship before completion, you will not be allowed to apply for any other internship under the PM Internship Scheme for a period of one year from the date of your joining.

41. Can I reapply for an internship after the one-year period?

Yes, dropped-out interns are eligible to reapply for an internship under the PM Internship Scheme after a year.

42. Will there be any training provided before the internship starts?

No. Relevant training will be provided as part of every internship under the PM Internship Scheme.

43. Are there any performance evaluations during the internship?

Yes, interns will be evaluated periodically based on their performance, attendance, and adherence to company policies. Feedback will be provided to help interns improve and grow professionally. These evaluations will be carried out by the partner companies.

44. What kind of projects will I work on as an intern?

Interns will work on a variety of projects depending on the company’s needs and the intern’s skills.

45. What kind of clothes should I wear during my internship?

Dress code requirements may vary depending on the company. Generally, interns would be expected to dress professionally and adhere to the company’s dress code policies.

46. Will I receive a certificate after completing the internship?

Yes, interns who successfully complete the internship will receive a certificate of completion under the PM Internship Scheme from the Partner companies.

47. How will the Ministry recognize interns for their performance?

The Ministry will establish a transparent process to recognize and award interns based on their exceptional performance, innovation, and other criteria.

48. How would my grievance or queries be resolved?

Interns can submit their grievances or queries through the grievance redressal tools on the Internship Portal, including chatbots. Additionally, a multilingual call center will be available to address grievances received through the helpline. The system will facilitate easy registration of queries, real-time tracking, and updates on the resolution status.

FOR INDUSTRY/COMPANY CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION

49. What are the criteria for shortlisting the Top 500 companies for the PM Internship Scheme?

The top 500 companies have been identified by the Ministry based on their average CSR expenditure of the last three years.

50. My company is not included in the initial list of 500 companies. Can we still participate in the Prime Minister Internship Scheme?

Yes, companies, banks, or financial institutions that are not part of the initial 500 companies may still participate in the scheme. However, they must obtain approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which will assess their inclusion based on the representation of sectors and regions underrepresented in the scheme.

51. My company cannot directly provide internships. What other options do I have?

If a company is unable to offer internship opportunities directly, it may still participate in the Prime Minister Internship Scheme by tying up with:

  • Companies in its forward or backward supply chain (e.g., suppliers, customers, or vendors).
  • Other companies or institutions within its group.

INTERNSHIP DETAILS

52. Can the internship be extended beyond 12 months?

The internship duration is fixed at 12 months. Extensions are not permitted under the Prime Minister Internship Scheme.

53. Is it mandatory for the companies to provide training to interns?

Yes, it is mandatory for the companies to provide relevant training to interns. Additionally, the companies must ensure that at least half of the internship period must be spent in the actual working environment, and not in training.

54. Are companies required to assign supervisors or mentors to interns?

Yes, companies must assign supervisors or mentors to each intern upon joining. Additionally, companies are encouraged to provide or enhance the soft and employability skills of each intern.

55. Do interns qualify as employees under the extant labour laws?

It is clarified that an offer of internship would not give rise to any contractual or legal relationship of employer-employee between the Ministry, or the concerned company, and the selected intern. It is further clarified that such an offer of internship can neither be construed to be in the nature of an offer or promise of future employment by the company or Ministry, during or after the period of internship. Further, Ministry of Labour in its OM dated 27.09.2024 has clarified that for the purpose of PM Internship Scheme, interns do no qualify as employees. The said O.M. is attached in Annexure- I.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INTERNS

56. What will be the break-up of the monthly financial assistance to be given to interns?

Interns will receive a monthly assistance of ₹5,000 for the entire duration of the 12- month internship. Of this amount:

  • The company will release ₹500 each month from its CSR funds, based on the intern’s attendance, conduct, and relevant company
  • The government will then pay ₹4,500 directly to the intern through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the intern’s Aadhaar-seeded bank The company may provide additional monthly assistance from its own funds.

57. Can a company provide more than ₹500 as monthly assistance to the interns?

Yes, if a company wishes to provide more than ₹500 as monthly assistance, it can do so from its own funds, in addition to the ₹500 covered by CSR funds.

INSURANCE COVERAGE TO INTERNS

58. Are the companies liable to provide insurance coverage to interns?

No, the companies are not liable to provide insurance coverage to interns. Each intern will be covered under the Government of India’s insurance schemes:

  • Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
  • Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)

The premium for these insurance schemes will be paid by the Government of India.

The company may choose to provide additional accidental insurance coverage to the interns.

59. How can companies post internship opportunities?

Partner companies will be provided with a dedicated dashboard on the portal where they can directly post their internship opportunities.

INTERNSHIP POSTING

60. What information should be included in the internship posting? Internship postings should include details such as:

  • Location of the internship
  • Roles and Functions of internship
  • Minimum educational qualification required
  • Any facilities provided by the company (e.g., accommodation, transportation, food )

61. Can Partner Companies edit or remove their posted internship opportunities?

Yes, Partner Companies will have the option to delete or edit an internship opportunity in case of any error in initial posting of the However, it is important to note that these alterations must be made within the specified window for posting the internship opportunity.

62. What type of internship roles can be posted by company on the portal?

The company must post those internship roles which would encourage skill enhancement of interns. Companies should not offer internships for roles that do not involve skilling, such as cleaning, delivery, porter, security guard, or office boy.

63. How does the company confirm an intern’s participation in the scheme?

Once an intern joins the internship, the company must confirm their participation on the portal.

64. Is there any mechanism available to companies to deal with cases of misbehaviour/ underperformance/absenteeism of the intern?

Yes, the interns may be required to sign a statement of declaration which would clearly state that in case of any misbehaviour/misdemeanour/absenteeism, the company can terminate their internship. As a part of the grievance redressal mechanism, one nodal person from the company can be assigned to raise such issues through the PM Internship Scheme portal.

65. Would the companies be required to devise a monitoring and evaluation framework of interns?

Yes, the companies can devise a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the performance of interns and provide them with regular feedback. The mechanism can also be used to decide on the future employability prospects of the intern.

66. What are the sources of recruiting interns for this scheme?

The company can recruit the interns from the designated portal only. The list of potential candidates matching the job description as specified by the company would be reflected on the portal. The algorithm of the portal would reflect a probable list of candidates, which would be approximately twice or thrice the number of internship openings. The companies can exercise their discretion in selecting the candidates from the portal.

67. Does an internship offer create an employer-employee relationship?

No, an internship offer does not establish an employer-employee relationship between the Ministry, the concerned company, and the selected intern.

68. Can an internship offer be construed as a promise of future employment?

No, an internship offer cannot be interpreted as a promise of future employment by the concerned company or the Ministry, either during or after the internship period.

69. Are interns required to follow the rules and regulations of the establishment?

Yes, interns must adhere to the rules and regulations of the establishment, including those related to timings, holidays, leaves, conduct, and discipline.

RECOGNITION OF PERFORMANCE

70. How can companies recognize outstanding interns?

Companies may recognize outstanding interns in several ways, such as:

  • Publicly acknowledging their achievements on the company’s website or social
  • Featuring them in company newsletters or success
  • Providing awards or
  • Offering opportunities for further development or advancement

71. How will the Ministry recognize the companies for their performance?

The Ministry will establish a transparent process to recognize and award companies based on their exceptional performance, innovation, and other criteria.

CASES OF DROP-OUTS

72. What happens if an intern withdraws or drops out of the internship before completion?

If an intern withdraws or drops out, the company must communicate this information to the government via the portal by marking the intern as a “Dropout.” This will prevent further payments from being disbursed to the candidate.

73. What are the general criteria for considering an intern as a dropout?

An intern may be considered a dropout if they:

  • Stop attending to their internship requirements suddenly and without
  • Fail to respond or rejoin despite two attempts at communication by their mentor or
  • Express an unwillingness to continue.

INTERNSHIP MODALITIES

74. Will company guidelines govern the leave policy of interns?

Yes, the leave policy for interns will be governed by the company’s internal guidelines. This may include policies for sick leave, casual leave, and other types of leave.

75. Can interns take a sabbatical?

In exceptional circumstances such as medical emergencies or family emergencies, interns may be granted a sabbatical of up to two months in accordance with company policies and/or directives from the Ministry.

76. Will interns receive financial assistance during a sabbatical?

No financial assistance will be provided during a sabbatical period.

77. What happens if an intern’s sabbatical exceeds two months?

If the sabbatical period exceeds two months, the intern will be required to discontinue their internship and may reapply in the next internship offer cycle.

78. Are the companies liable to provide facilities such as accommodation, transportation, canteen etc.?

Companies are not obligated to provide facilities such as accommodation, transportation, or canteens to interns. However, they have the flexibility to offer these facilities if they deem it necessary or beneficial.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

79. Do the companies have to provide a Certificate of Completion to interns?

Yes, the companies must provide a certificate of Completion to the interns. It must also be ensured that the certificate is only disbursed by the partner company.

PORTAL QUESTIONS

80. What user types are allowed to access the portal from the industry/company side?

The following user types have access to the portal:

  • Company Admin: Responsible for setting up the company profile and assigning a Nodal Officer for the company and network entities and overseeing the company’s internship
  • Nodal Officer: Serves as the single point of contact with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), manages the internship plan, assigns HRs, and handles
  • HR: Manages internship postings, oversees applications, and assigns
  • Supervisor/Mentor: Point of Contact for Responsible for managing the day-to-day activities, learning and development and workstreams of the interns.

81. What is the role of a Nodal Officer?

The Nodal Officer serves as the single point of contact for all communication w.r.t. the Prime Minister Internship Scheme. They manage the company’s internship plan, assign HRs, and act as the appellate authority for grievances.

82. What is the recommended number of interns which can be assigned to one HR?

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) recommends a ratio of 1 HR for every 100

83. Can network entities post internships on behalf of the parent company?

No, group companies, subsidiaries, associated contractors, vendors, and distributors cannot post internships on behalf of the parent company. They can only post internships for their own organisation.

84. How can Company Admins view grievances registered by candidates?

The Admin User can check for grievances registered in the system by a particular candidate against the Parent Company or the Group Entity.

85. Can HR users see the number of supervisors created for their company?

Yes, HR users can view the number count of supervisors created for their company.