Why Are Youth Rejecting PM Internship Offers?

The Indian government revealed on Monday that location considerations, internship duration, and the pursuit of higher education are among the primary reasons candidates are declining offers under the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) pilot project. Launched as part of the 2024-25 Budget, the PMIS aims to provide internship opportunities to 1 crore youth in India’s top 500 companies over five years, with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs overseeing its implementation.

The pilot project, initiated on October 3, 2024, targets 1.25 lakh internship opportunities within a year. In the first round, 280 partner companies offered over 1.27 lakh positions, receiving 6.21 lakh applications from 1.81 lakh candidates. Of the 82,000 offers made, only 28,000 were accepted, with over 8,700 candidates joining internships.

The second round, starting January 9, 2025, saw 327 companies post 1.18 lakh opportunities, attracting 4.55 lakh applications from 2.14 lakh applicants. As of August 12, 2025, over 82,000 offers were extended, with 24,000 accepted.

Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra, addressing the Lok Sabha, highlighted insights from a concurrent evaluation, feedback surveys, and stakeholder consultations, including candidates, industry associations, and state governments. The data revealed that location preferences, the duration of internships, and candidates prioritizing higher education significantly contributed to the low acceptance rates.

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With over 3.38 lakh candidates registered in the first round and 3.46 lakh in the second, the government plans to refine the scheme based on stakeholder feedback and evaluation outcomes before its full-scale rollout. The findings underscore the need for tailored adjustments to align the PMIS with the aspirations and practical needs of India’s youth.

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