When the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) was unveiled in the 2024-25 Budget, it was pitched as a watershed moment in India’s effort to bridge the gap between academia and industry. The government’s vision was both ambitious and commendable: to create one crore internships for the youth in the nation’s top 500 companies over five years. A pilot project was launched in October 2024, signalling the seriousness of intent. Yet, months into its rollout, a question lingers uncomfortably in the air: Why are so many students refusing to accept offers?
A bold vision meets lukewarm response
The first round of the PM Internship Scheme was anything but modest. More than 1.27 lakh internship opportunities were posted by 280 partner companies. The enthusiasm on paper was undeniable; over 6.21 lakh applications came in from about 1.81 lakh candidates. Partner companies responded with 82,000 offers, but here lay the first sign of disquiet: Only 28,000 students accepted, and a mere 8,700 actually joined their internships.
In the second round, launched on January 9, 2025, the story repeated itself. 327 companies offered over 1.18 lakh internships, yet the gap between opportunities created and opportunities availed showed little sign of narrowing.
The students’ dilemma
Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Harsh Malhotra, while responding in the Lok Sabha, did not shy away from admitting the mismatch. “Against this, more than 6.21 lakh applications were received from about 1.81 lakh candidates. Partner companies made over 82,000 internship offers, and more than 28,000 candidates accepted offers to join the internship. Over 8,700 candidates joined their internship in round I,” he told the House, as reported by PTI.
The problem is not disinterest, but dissonance. Students are keen on internships but cautious about trade-offs. Malhotra himself conceded the reasons. “Based on concurrent evaluation and feedback survey carried out by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, outbound calls made by the call centre to the candidates and feedback received from various stakeholders, such as candidates, industry & industry associations and state governments, the reasons for applicants not accepting the offer or not joining the internship are location considerations, duration of internship, pursuance of higher education etc,” he told the Lok Sabha, as reported by PTI.
Cracks in the framework
At its heart, the issue lies in alignment. The scheme promises scale, but the youth are looking for feasibility. Many students come from towns and semi-urban centres; relocating for a short-term internship is often financially untenable. Duration, too, emerges as a deterrent; balancing coursework, exam cycles, and higher education ambitions makes it difficult for students to commit.
Moreover, while the scheme ties itself to marquee companies, the postings are not always in sync with student aspirations. A technology graduate may hesitate to relocate to a Tier-2 city for a role that doesn’t match her skillset, while a management student may find little value in an assignment that offers experience without future prospects.
Lessons for the rollout
The government has made it clear that this is still a pilot. Malhotra assured that “the full-scale rollout of the scheme would be based on the feedback received from the stakeholders, consultations and evaluation of outcomes during the implementation of the pilot project,” as reported by PTI.
The data shows the appetite exists, over 3.38 lakh students completed registrations in round one and 3.46 lakh in round two. But the bridge between intention and execution needs reinforcement. Internships today are no longer just about exposure; they are about relevance, accessibility, and integration with the career pipeline.
A moment of reckoning
The PM Internship Scheme is visionary, but its teething troubles underscore a deeper truth: India’s young aspirants are discerning, pragmatic, and unwilling to compromise on fitment. For them, an internship is not a ceremonial gesture but a carefully weighed investment of time, energy, and resources.
If recalibrated with sensitivity to students’ realities, more flexible durations, hybrid opportunities, and financial assistance for relocation, the scheme could indeed live up to its promise of being the largest internship initiative in the world. Until then, the reluctance of students is not rejection, but a reminder that aspiration must meet accommodation.
A bold vision meets lukewarm response
The first round of the PM Internship Scheme was anything but modest. More than 1.27 lakh internship opportunities were posted by 280 partner companies. The enthusiasm on paper was undeniable; over 6.21 lakh applications came in from about 1.81 lakh candidates. Partner companies responded with 82,000 offers, but here lay the first sign of disquiet: Only 28,000 students accepted, and a mere 8,700 actually joined their internships.
In the second round, launched on January 9, 2025, the story repeated itself. 327 companies offered over 1.18 lakh internships, yet the gap between opportunities created and opportunities availed showed little sign of narrowing.
The students’ dilemma
Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Harsh Malhotra, while responding in the Lok Sabha, did not shy away from admitting the mismatch. “Against this, more than 6.21 lakh applications were received from about 1.81 lakh candidates. Partner companies made over 82,000 internship offers, and more than 28,000 candidates accepted offers to join the internship. Over 8,700 candidates joined their internship in round I,” he told the House, as reported by PTI.
The problem is not disinterest, but dissonance. Students are keen on internships but cautious about trade-offs. Malhotra himself conceded the reasons. “Based on concurrent evaluation and feedback survey carried out by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, outbound calls made by the call centre to the candidates and feedback received from various stakeholders, such as candidates, industry & industry associations and state governments, the reasons for applicants not accepting the offer or not joining the internship are location considerations, duration of internship, pursuance of higher education etc,” he told the Lok Sabha, as reported by PTI.
Cracks in the framework
At its heart, the issue lies in alignment. The scheme promises scale, but the youth are looking for feasibility. Many students come from towns and semi-urban centres; relocating for a short-term internship is often financially untenable. Duration, too, emerges as a deterrent; balancing coursework, exam cycles, and higher education ambitions makes it difficult for students to commit.
Moreover, while the scheme ties itself to marquee companies, the postings are not always in sync with student aspirations. A technology graduate may hesitate to relocate to a Tier-2 city for a role that doesn’t match her skillset, while a management student may find little value in an assignment that offers experience without future prospects.
Lessons for the rollout
The government has made it clear that this is still a pilot. Malhotra assured that “the full-scale rollout of the scheme would be based on the feedback received from the stakeholders, consultations and evaluation of outcomes during the implementation of the pilot project,” as reported by PTI.
The data shows the appetite exists, over 3.38 lakh students completed registrations in round one and 3.46 lakh in round two. But the bridge between intention and execution needs reinforcement. Internships today are no longer just about exposure; they are about relevance, accessibility, and integration with the career pipeline.
A moment of reckoning
The PM Internship Scheme is visionary, but its teething troubles underscore a deeper truth: India’s young aspirants are discerning, pragmatic, and unwilling to compromise on fitment. For them, an internship is not a ceremonial gesture but a carefully weighed investment of time, energy, and resources.
If recalibrated with sensitivity to students’ realities, more flexible durations, hybrid opportunities, and financial assistance for relocation, the scheme could indeed live up to its promise of being the largest internship initiative in the world. Until then, the reluctance of students is not rejection, but a reminder that aspiration must meet accommodation.
You may also like
Winning Euromillions numbers LIVE: Full lottery results with Thunderball on August 19
'Gripping' new BBC crime series to land on iPlayer in just a few days
Cheryl's emotional tribute to Liam Payne in first job since his tragic death
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University beacon of knowledge: J&K L-G
What Happens When You Take a Shower at Night? Benefits and Risks Explained
