FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches Mobile App for PM Internship Scheme

In a bid to increase youth employment, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a mobile app for the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme. The app is designed to simplify the application process, which will enable students from all over India to apply for paid internships in the best companies.

Launched in the 2024-25 Union Budget, the scheme aims to offer 10 million internships in the next five years. Interns will be offered a 12-month paid internship and financial support to gain industry experience and acquire key skills. The program is aimed mainly at students from smaller cities and non-premium institutions, making India's workforce development initiatives inclusive.

The pilot phase of the scheme, which was launched in October 2024, has already put up more than 1.18 lakh internship opportunities in its second round. The program includes different sectors such as banking, IT, automobiles, hospitality, and manufacturing, so that all sorts of students ranging from ITI passers to graduates have access to it.

With the rollout of the mobile app, prospective interns are now able to register effortlessly, monitor applications, get customized internship suggestions, and access a dashboard for updates. The app further has a referral program, where users are rewarded for referring friends to the platform.

Addressing the launch function, Sitharaman urged that the scheme will fill the gap in skill development between academia and industry, especially among students from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. "The government believes in giving equal opportunities to all the students regardless of background. This program will equip young minds with hands-on experience, making them industry-ready," she stated.

Industry captains have hailed the move, saying that it will provide a strong talent pipeline for Indian businesses while providing students with industry-relevant exposure.

The PM Internship Scheme mobile application is now live for download, allowing thousands of students to apply for internships more easily and efficiently. With this program, the government is taking a big step towards skill development and employment generation in India.