The Government started the PM Internship Scheme to help students get work experience before jobs. The idea was good – apply online, get an offer from a company, and start the internship.
But the reality is very different. Even after getting offer letters, most students are not joining. Out of 1.53 lakh offers, only 6% students joined. This is a very low number. Let’s understand why this is happening.
What is the PM Internship Scheme?
- Started in October 2024.
- Plan: In the first year, offer 1.25 lakh internships.
- Goal: connect students with companies so they can learn real work skills.
- Process: Students apply → Companies select → Students join internship.
Sounds simple, right? But many students are not continuing after getting selected.
The Numbers
Here’s how it looked till now:
| Round | Applications | Offers Made | Offers Accepted | Students Joined |
| First Round | 6.21 lakh | 82,000 | 28,000 | 8,700 |
| Second Round | 5+ lakh | 82,000 | 24,000 | Not shared yet |
See the gap? Many apply, many get selected, but very few actually join.
Why Students Are Not Joining
After talking to students and checking surveys, these are the main reasons:
- Location problem – Internships are in big cities, but many students live in small towns. Shifting is difficult.
- Time problem – Internships are long, sometimes 6 months. Students have classes, exams, coaching, so they cannot manage.
- Future study – Many students are preparing for GATE, CAT, UPSC. They don’t want to waste time.
- No clarity – Some offers don’t clearly tell about stipend (money) or job chance after internship. So students don’t feel interested.
What Can Be Improved
If the government wants students to join, some changes are needed:
- Online internships – Students can learn from home. No need to shift cities.
- Short internships: 2 to 3 months is preferable to six months. simple to handle when studying.
- Fixed stipend – If money is guaranteed, more students will join.
- Job chance – If companies say clearly that good interns may get jobs later, students will take it seriously.
Why This Scheme Is Still Important
Even with these problems, the PM Internship Scheme is a good step. It gives a chance to students, especially from small towns, to get industry experience.
If improved, it can help lakhs of students learn skills, build confidence, and get better jobs in the future.
Final Words
Right now, the joining numbers are very low. But this is not the end. With better planning, flexible rules, and clear information, this scheme can become a success.
For students, internships are not just about certificates – they are about learning real work. For the government, the goal is to create a skilled India. Both need to work together to make this dream successful.
This PM internship scheme helps us in order to gain our knowledge and develop our skills