Challenges in the Prime Minister Internship Scheme: A Closer Look

The Prime Minister Internship Scheme faces challenges with low offer acceptance due to location, extended internship periods, and disinterest in roles. Despite over 16,000 interns joining, many offers are rejected. The scheme offers financial assistance and has received substantial applications in its pilot rounds but struggles with non-acceptance issues.

The Prime Minister Internship Scheme is encountering obstacles with low acceptance rates for internship offers. Key concerns include the location, lengthy internship duration, and lack of interest in available roles, according to government reports.

Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Harsh Malhotra, highlighted in a Lok Sabha address that the ideal travel distance for interns is between 5-10 km, and the current 12-month internship period is longer compared to typical skilling programs. The scheme, which includess independent evaluations and feedback from stakeholders, also offers interns a monthly financial assistance of Rs 9,000.

The initiative has seen significant interest, with over 10 lakh applications across two rounds, but the high offering of over 80,000 internships has not translated equally into acceptances. Partner companies are contributing Rs 900 of the stipend from their CSR funds, aiming to draw more interns into the program while dealing with these deterrents.

(With inputs from agencies.)