Updated: 27 October 2026
Reader questions — 28 October 2026
Is the PM Internship Scheme 2026 real or fake?
It is REAL — a genuine Government of India scheme run by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (Prime Minister Internship Scheme, PMIS Pilot, guidelines dated 12 March 2026). The official portal is pminternship.mca.gov.in. Beware of fake sites: never pay anyone for registration, selection, or an offer letter — the real scheme charges no fee for applying. If a site or person asks for money, it is fraud. As checked on 28 October 2026, the portal itself returned errors, so check the portal listing directly for current openings.
Quick facts
- Scheme: Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS), Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
- Who it is for: Indian youth aged 18 to 25 on the date of application, if they meet the rules below.
- Current status: Pilot extended till December 2026, on a rolling basis. No single scheme-wide last date was verified; each posting has its own closing window.
- Stipend: Rs 9,000 per month, plus Rs 6,000 one-time grant.
- Official portal: pminternship.mca.gov.in
Eligibility – please read this first
Correction – MBA: Completed MBA holders are NOT eligible. Paragraph 5.2.3 of the MCA guideline dated 12 March 2026 lists MBA or equivalent among ineligible qualifications. Statements below in this article that say MBA holders can now apply are superseded for MBA holders. General postgraduate degrees listed in the guideline, such as MA, M.Sc., M.Com, MCA and M.Tech, are eligible.
- Indian citizen, aged 18 to 25 on the date of application.
- Education: Class 10, Class 12, ITI, diploma, graduation, or an eligible postgraduate degree.
- Final-year UG or PG students: only if they meet paragraph 5.2 and submit an institutional NOC in the prescribed format (Addendum, 8 April 2026).
- Not eligible: graduates of IIT, IIM, IISER, NID, IIIT or a National Law University; holders of CA, CMA, CS, MBBS, BDS, MD, MS, MBA or equivalent, MPhil or PhD; and candidates in certain government skill, apprenticeship, internship or training programmes, including NATS or NAPS.
- Family income: ineligible if the income of any family member exceeded Rs 12 lakh in the preceding financial year. Family means self, parents and spouse.
- Family government job: ineligible if any family member is a permanent or regular government employee.
- Online or distance learners are eligible.
Stipend and benefits
- Rs 9,000 per month: Rs 8,100 from the Government by DBT to an Aadhaar-seeded bank account, plus Rs 900 from the company. The company share may vary with attendance, and the Government share is pro-rated accordingly.
- Rs 6,000 one-time grant: Rs 3,000 within 15 days of joining and Rs 3,000 within 15 days of completing 3 months.
- Insurance: Government life and personal accidental insurance equivalent to PMJJBY and PMSBY. A company may add accidental cover.
How to apply – guideline steps
- Register on the portal.
- The portal generates a resume from the information you provide.
- Browse by sector, functional role and location, and apply to openings matching your preferences, including state, district, sector, role and qualification.
- Registration and application remain open on a rolling basis throughout the pilot period.
- The portal shortlists a pool for each opportunity, with broader representation and diversity, including SC, ST, OBC and PwD candidates, and sends shortlisted applications to the company.
- The company selects under its own process and sends an offer.
- If you receive an offer, convey acceptance through the portal.
New FAQs – checked against the guideline
Can MBA holders apply?
No, not with a completed MBA. Paragraph 5.2.3 lists MBA or equivalent as ineligible. Other listed postgraduate degrees, such as MA, M.Sc., M.Com, MCA and M.Tech, are eligible.
What is the family income limit?
You are ineligible if the income of any family member exceeded Rs 12 lakh in the preceding financial year. Family means self, parents and spouse.
What if a family member is in a government job?
You are ineligible if any family member is a permanent or regular government employee.
When is the stipend and grant paid?
The Rs 9,000 monthly stipend is split as Rs 8,100 from the Government by DBT and Rs 900 from the company. The Rs 6,000 grant is paid as Rs 3,000 within 15 days of joining and Rs 3,000 within 15 days of completing 3 months.
What happens after an offer?
The company sends the offer, and you convey acceptance through the portal.
Preparing for a government job, or hunting for your first real job after college? There is a central government scheme that places you inside large companies for genuine work experience — and pays you every month for it. It is called the PM Internship Scheme.
The internet is full of half-baked and outdated information about it. Some sites still quote the old ₹5,000 stipend; others invent fake “last dates”. In this guide we lay out the complete truth under the 2026 rules — who can apply, how much money you get, how to apply step by step, and which fake websites to avoid. Read to the end: the FAQ section answers the questions everyone is asking right now.
Last Updated: 23 October 2026
What Is the PM Internship Scheme 2026?
The PM Internship Scheme (officially the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, abbreviated PMIS) is a central government programme run by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 and launched on 3 October 2024.
The objective is straightforward — give young Indians real workplace exposure inside major companies, alongside their classroom learning, so they become job-ready. The government’s stated target is one crore internships over five years.
The scheme is running in a pilot phase, and three rounds have taken place so far:
- Round 1: started October 2024 — companies made about 60,866 offers; roughly 8,760 candidates joined.
- Round 2: started January–February 2025 — over 71,000 offers; about 7,300 joined.
- Round 3: started April 2026 — now running on a rolling model, where companies keep posting new openings through the year. This round recorded a far better offer-to-joining conversion (nearly 57%).
PM Internship Scheme — Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) |
| Run By | Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India |
| Launch Date | 3 October 2024 (announced in Union Budget 2024-25) |
| Beneficiaries | Indian youth aged 18 to 25 years |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹9,000 (raised from March 2026) |
| One-Time Grant | ₹6,000 (in two instalments of ₹3,000) |
| Internship Duration | 6 to 9 months (for new internships) |
| Family Income Limit | Under ₹12 lakh per year |
| Application Mode | Online, completely free |
| Official Website | pminternship.mca.gov.in |
What Changed in 2026? (The March 2026 Revamp)
In March 2026 the government overhauled the scheme, because in the earlier rounds too many candidates who received offers never joined. The new rules:
- Higher stipend: raised from ₹5,000 to ₹9,000 per month to cut drop-outs.
- Wider age band: was 21–24 years; now 18–25 years.
- Flexible duration: was a fixed 12 months; now 6 or 9 months depending on the role.
- PG and MBA included: postgraduates and MBA holders can now apply — earlier restricted.
- Final-year students: since an April 2026 announcement, final-year UG/PG students can apply with an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from their institution.
- Bigger company pool: the CSR-spending mandate for companies was removed; more than 549 companies now participate — including Reliance Industries, TCS, HDFC Bank, Maruti Suzuki and Larsen & Toubro.
- 19 sectors across 32 states/regions: openings in banking and finance, oil and gas, automotive, FMCG, telecom, IT, pharma, infrastructure, semiconductors, renewable energy and GCCs.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)
Under the 2026 rules:
- Citizenship: must be an Indian citizen.
- Age: 18 to 25 years on the date of application.
- Education: at least Class 10, Class 12, ITI, diploma or graduation. Postgraduates and MBA holders are now eligible too.
- Family income: under ₹12 lakh per year.
- Final-year students: UG/PG students in their final year can apply with an institutional NOC.
- Online/distance learners: candidates studying through online or distance mode are eligible.
Who is not eligible: anyone already in full-time employment, or enrolled in a full-time course (except final-year students with an NOC), cannot apply. Registration and application are completely free — there is no fee at any stage.
Stipend and Benefits — How Much Do You Get?
- ₹9,000 per month — the government sends the larger share straight to your bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT); the host company contributes its part.
- ₹6,000 one-time joining grant — paid in two instalments of ₹3,000.
- Insurance cover — for the full internship period.
- Real work experience — 6–9 months inside a major company, the kind of line on a CV that actually moves a job interview.
Note: interns from the earlier pilot rounds (Rounds 1–2) continue under the old rules — the ₹9,000 stipend and 6–9 month duration apply to new internships.
How to Apply — Step-by-Step Guide
The entire process is online and free. Apply only on the official portal pminternship.mca.gov.in:
- Open the portal — go to pminternship.mca.gov.in and click Register / Login.
- Enter your mobile number — tick the confirmation box and click Get OTP.
- Enter the OTP — submit the OTP sent to your phone. An Aadhaar consent pop-up appears — tick Agree and continue.
- Set a password — create a strong password for your account.
- Fill the Candidate Profile — the profile needs e-KYC, personal details, contact details, education details and bank details.
- Complete e-KYC — via Aadhaar OTP or the DigiLocker app. Without this, full internship details and the Apply button stay hidden.
- Upload documents — certificates as PDF. Incomplete profiles cannot apply.
- Search and apply — filter listings by state, district, sector or keyword, pick a matching opening and hit Apply.
- Track on the dashboard — your candidate dashboard shows the application status.
Got an offer? You must accept it within 14 days, or it lapses automatically. After selection, the internship usually starts within 30–60 days.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card (for e-KYC)
- Mobile Number (for OTP)
- Educational Certificates (Class 10/12/ITI/Diploma/Degree — as PDF)
- Bank Account Details (for DBT; an Aadhaar-seeded account works best)
- NOC from college (for final-year students)
- Passport-size Photo (if the portal asks)
What Is the Last Date? — The Honest Answer
Many websites publish invented “last dates” for the PM Internship Scheme. Do not trust them. Here is the truth:
- Round 3 runs on a rolling model — companies post new openings throughout the year.
- There is no single last date for the scheme. Each posting has its own closing window, shown with the listing on the portal.
- The pilot phase runs till December 2026, targeting about 1 lakh internships.
- Apply to whatever is live — postings close once slots fill.
Note: the portal occasionally goes down briefly for maintenance or technical reasons — if it doesn’t open, wait a while and retry. Always apply only on pminternship.mca.gov.in.
Any website giving one “last date for the whole scheme” is guessing — or selling something.
Beware of Fraud — Scam Alert
The scheme is 100% free. Watch out for:
- No fee, ever — “PMIS registration ₹199” cyber-cafe boards, Telegram “selection guarantee” messages, WhatsApp forwards with bit.ly links are all scams by definition.
- Only one genuine address: pminternship.mca.gov.in — no .com, .in, .org or lookalike with an extra word.
- The genuine app: “PM Internship Scheme” on Google Play, publisher Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
- Genuine offers appear only on your portal dashboard and registered email. Nobody calls to “confirm” with an OTP.
- No official will ask for your Aadhaar PDF, bank login, or a “DBT activation” payment. DBT activates itself once your account is Aadhaar-seeded.
- Already paid someone? Call 1930 immediately and file at cybercrime.gov.in.
Need Help? — Official Contact
- Helpline: 1800-11-6090 (multilingual, toll-free)
- Email: pminternship[at]mca.gov.in
- Complaints on the portal: log in, open Complaints in the left menu, choose DBT, Internship or Portal, attach screenshots and mention your Candidate ID.
- Office: PMIS Cell, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, 3rd Floor, Kartavya Bhawan 1, Kartavya Path, New Delhi 110001
Official Links
- Official portal: pminternship.mca.gov.in
- Scheme guidelines: “Guidelines” section on the portal (PDF)
- MyScheme page: myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pmis
Round-Wise Performance — Is the Scheme Actually Working?
According to official replies given in Parliament, the three rounds performed like this:
| Round | Started | Offers Made | Joined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | October 2024 | ~60,866 | ~8,760 |
| Round 2 | January–February 2025 | 71,000+ | ~7,300 |
| Round 3 | April 2026 | ~25,794 | ~14,620 |
Across all rounds, companies posted more than 4 lakh openings. The early problem: only about 1 in 5 offer-holders actually joined — mainly due to the low stipend, relocation needs and role mismatch. After the March 2026 revamp (₹9,000 stipend, 18–25 age band, 6–9 month duration), Round 3’s offer-to-joining rate jumped to nearly 57%. The scheme is learning in public — and improving.
Which Sectors Have Openings?
In 2026 the scheme runs across 19 sectors. The portal shows the most openings in:
- Banking and finance — the largest share of private-sector postings (banks like HDFC Bank hired hundreds)
- Oil and gas — PSUs dominate here (ONGC 841 interns, NTPC 685, Indian Oil 344)
- Manufacturing, metals and mining
- Automotive — Maruti Suzuki and others
- FMCG, telecom, IT, pharma, infrastructure
- New sectors: semiconductors, renewable energy, Global Capability Centres (GCCs)
PSUs (public sector units) account for about 58% of all active internships so far — the biggest single block.
What Happens After You Apply?
- Application: complete your profile and apply to matching openings. There is a limit on active applications at one time, so choose thoughtfully.
- Company review: companies start reviewing profiles in the early weeks — applying early in a round helps.
- Offer: if selected, the offer appears on your dashboard and registered email.
- Accept (14 days): accept within 14 days or the offer lapses.
- Joining: the internship usually starts within 30–60 days of selection.
- Stipend and grant: ₹9,000/month via DBT; the ₹6,000 grant in two instalments.
- Insurance: cover for the full internship period.
Bank Account and DBT — How the Money Reaches You
The stipend comes via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) straight into your bank account — no agent or middleman:
- Your bank account must be Aadhaar-seeded (NPCI-linked) for DBT to activate.
- DBT activates itself — you never need to pay anyone or share an OTP for it.
- If a payment gets stuck, raise a complaint in the portal’s Complaints section under the DBT category with your Candidate ID.
Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
- Incomplete profile — without e-KYC or bank details, the Apply button never appears.
- Bad documents — blurry certificates or wrong formats.
- Missing the offer deadline — 14 days pass and the offer is gone.
- Ignoring location — many candidates skip joining because the posting is in a distant city; check the location before applying.
- Applying on fake sites — only pminternship.mca.gov.in is genuine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much stipend does the PM Internship Scheme give?
After the March 2026 revamp, interns get ₹9,000 per month. There is also a ₹6,000 one-time joining grant (two instalments of ₹3,000) plus insurance cover for the full internship period.
What is the age limit for the PM Internship Scheme?
You must be 18 to 25 years old on the date of application. The earlier 21–24 limit was widened in March 2026.
What is the last date for PM Internship Scheme 2026?
There is no single last date. Round 3 works on a rolling basis till December 2026; each posting carries its own closing date, visible on the portal listing.
Can college students apply?
Final-year UG/PG students can apply with an NOC from their institution. Other full-time students cannot, but online and distance learners can.
Is there any fee for the PM Internship Scheme?
No. Registration and application are completely free. Any website or agent asking for money for PMIS registration is not genuine.
How many days do I get to accept an offer?
You must accept an offer within 14 days, otherwise it lapses automatically.
What is the family income limit?
Family income must be under ₹12 lakh per year.
Can a Class 12 pass student apply?
Yes. The minimum qualification is Class 10 — Class 12, ITI, diploma and graduation holders are all eligible, and PG/MBA holders can now apply too.
How long is the internship?
New internships run 6 or 9 months depending on the role. Earlier rounds were 12 months.
Is insurance provided during the internship?
Yes — insurance cover is provided for the full internship period.
When does the internship start after accepting an offer?
Usually within 30–60 days of selection.
Can I apply to multiple openings?
Yes, but there is a limit on active applications at one time — so pick openings that genuinely match your profile.
This article is published by a private information portal (not a government website). Please verify the latest details on the official portal pminternship.mca.gov.in before applying.
