PM Internship Scheme 2026-27: ₹9,000/Month + ₹6,000 Grant — Full Guide

India has over 42 crore workers in the unorganised sector, and a large share of its educated youth struggle to land their first real job simply because they have no practical work experience to show. The PM Internship Scheme 2026-27, administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, is the government’s direct answer to that problem. It places young people inside actual companies, across actual departments, doing actual work for 12 months, while the government pays most of their stipend.

This is not a training programme where you sit in a classroom. At least 6 of the 12 months must be spent in real working environments. The remaining time can include structured training the company provides. That distinction matters, and it separates this scheme from the dozens of short-term certificate programmes and bootcamps that flood the market.

Registrations for 2026-27 are currently open. As of now, more than 34,491 internship positions have been listed by partner organisations, spread across 20+ sectors and 33 states and union territories. Here is everything you need to know before you apply.

Quick Overview

What Makes This Scheme Different from Other Government Internships

Several central and state government internship programmes exist, but the PM Internship Scheme operates independently from all of them. If you are currently enrolled in any other Central or State Government internship or apprenticeship programme, including NATS (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme) or NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme), you cannot apply for PMIS simultaneously.

The key differentiator is how it is funded. Companies participating in this scheme can count their contribution toward their mandatory CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) obligations under the Companies Act. Specifically, they can allocate up to 5% of their CSR expenditure toward administrative costs under this scheme. This is why large companies like those in the automotive, oil and gas, banking, and manufacturing sectors have signed up in large numbers. They get CSR credit. You get paid real-world experience. The government covers the majority of the stipend. It is a structured three-way arrangement, not charity.

The Financial Breakdown: What You Actually Receive

Many candidates focus only on the ₹9,000 monthly figure and miss the full picture. Here is what the actual payout structure looks like.

When you join, the government transfers ₹6,000 as a one-time grant directly to your bank account via DBT. This is meant to help you with initial relocation costs, tools, or any setup you need before your first stipend arrives.

Every month for 12 months, you receive ₹9,000. Of this, the government pays ₹4,500 directly to you via DBT. The remaining ₹4,500 comes from the hiring company. Some companies offer additional benefits on top of this, which you can check under “Additional Benefits” in each internship listing.

Total over 12 months: ₹9,000 x 12 = ₹1,08,000, plus the ₹6,000 joining grant, bringing the total to ₹1,14,000. This is the guaranteed floor. Companies may add more.

On top of this, training costs are borne entirely by the company. You do not pay for any training the company provides during the internship.

Insurance Coverage: What You Are Protected Against

All interns are automatically enrolled in two government insurance schemes from day one.

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) provides life insurance coverage of ₹2 lakh in case of death due to any reason. The annual premium for this is paid on your behalf.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) provides accidental death and disability coverage up to ₹2 lakh for accidental death or permanent total disability, and ₹1 lakh for permanent partial disability. The premium for this is also covered.

Additionally, the hiring company may provide supplementary accidental insurance coverage at their own cost. Whether they do this or not varies by company, so check the specific listing before applying.

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

The eligibility rules for PMIS are specific. Read each point carefully before registering, because some of the ineligibility conditions are easy to miss.

You are eligible if all of the following apply to you:

• You are an Indian citizen.
• You are between 21 and 24 years of age as on the last date of application submission.
• You are not currently enrolled in full-time education or working in a full-time job.
• Students in online or distance learning programmes are eligible to apply.
• Your annual family income from all sources does not exceed ₹8,00,000.
• You have completed at least one of the following: High School (Class 10), Higher Secondary School (Class 12), an ITI Certificate Programme, a Diploma from a Polytechnic Institute, or an undergraduate degree such as BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, B.Pharma, etc.

You are NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

• You are a graduate of an IIT, IIM, National Law University, IISER, NID, or IIIT.
• You hold a CA, CMA, CS, MBBS, BDS, MBA, or any master’s or higher degree.
• You are currently enrolled in any skill development, apprenticeship, internship, or student training programme run by the Central or State Government.
• You have previously completed training under NATS or NAPS.
• Your family income exceeds ₹8,00,000 per year from all sources.
• A family member holds a permanent or regular government position.

The income and family government-employment conditions catch many applicants off guard. If your parent or sibling is a permanent central or state government employee, you are not eligible for this scheme.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Before you can apply for any internship listing, you need to create a complete profile on the official portal. Registration and profile completion are two separate stages. Most applicants rush registration but do not complete their profile, which means they cannot apply even after registering.

Official Portal: pminternship.mca.gov.in

Stage 1: Registration

Step 1: Visit the official portal and click on the “Youth Registration” tab on the homepage.

Step 2: Enter your mobile number, confirm the checkbox, and click Submit.

Step 3: Enter the OTP received on your mobile number.

Step 4: Create a new password and submit. You will be redirected to your candidate profile dashboard.

Stage 2: Profile Completion (Do Not Skip This)

After registration, you must complete your profile in full before any application is possible. The profile sections are:

• eKYC: Aadhaar-based identity verification. This is the first mandatory step inside the profile.
• Personal Details: Full name, date of birth, gender, category.
• Contact Details: Current address, pin code, state.
• Education Details: Your highest completed qualification, institution, year of passing, and marks.
• Bank Details: Account number and IFSC for DBT transfers. Use an account that is Aadhaar-seeded. Stipend and joining grant will come here.
• Skills and Certifications: List any relevant skills or certifications you have. This improves how companies match your profile to available opportunities.

All sections must be saved before the application button activates.

How to Apply for an Internship

Step 1: After completing your profile, navigate to the “Internship Opportunity” section. This shows all available internships that match your profile.

Step 2: Each listing shows the internship title, sector, field, number of available positions, candidates who have already applied, location, required qualifications, and any additional benefits. Click “View” to read the full details before deciding.

Step 3: Click “Apply” on the internship you want. A confirmation popup will appear asking if you are sure you want to apply.

Step 4: Answer 3 screening questions that appear in the popup. These questions are specific to the internship or company. You must complete them to submit your application. Read each question carefully because your answers are visible to the company during shortlisting.

Step 5: Submit your application. You can apply for up to 3 internship opportunities for free.

Once applied, the company reviews profiles and conducts its own selection process. Shortlisted candidates are contacted through the portal and on their registered mobile number.

What to Look for in Each Internship Listing

Not all 34,000+ listings are equally useful. Before applying, check these specific fields in each listing:

Location: Some internships require relocation. Check whether the listed location matches your ability to commute or relocate.

Sector and Field: Within a sector like “Automotive,” the actual role could be mechanical engineering, HR, supply chain, or marketing. The “Field” field is more specific than the sector name.

Additional Benefits: Some companies offer mess facility, transport allowance, accommodation support, or supplemental insurance on top of the ₹9,000 stipend. These details are in the listing.

Candidates Already Applied: This figure gives you a rough sense of competition. A listing with 2 spots and 500+ applicants versus one with 50 spots and 100 applicants are very different in terms of selection probability.

Sectors and Available Opportunities: Full Breakdown

Here is the current sector-wise distribution of internship opportunities under PMIS 2026-27:

Oil, Gas and Energy has by far the most listings, followed by Banking and Financial Services. If your qualification is in engineering, science, or commerce, these three sectors likely have the most relevant openings for your background.

Documents Required

Keep these ready before you start profile completion. Uploading documents mid-process when they are not at hand leads to incomplete profiles and missed application windows.

• Aadhaar Card: Required for eKYC. The mobile number registered with Aadhaar must be active for OTP verification.
• Educational Certificates: Marksheet and certificate for your highest completed qualification.
• Bank Account Details: Account number and IFSC. The account must be Aadhaar-seeded for DBT to work.
• Age Proof: Class 10 certificate or Aadhaar generally serves this purpose.
• Passport-Size Photograph: Recent photo. This is listed as optional but completing it strengthens your profile.
• Skills or Certification Documents: Any additional certificates you have, such as computer courses, language proficiency, or domain-specific training. These are not mandatory but improve your matchability with companies.

How to Download Your Internship Certificate

The internship certificate is issued by the company through the portal once the internship period is complete. It is a QR-secured PDF, which means any employer or institution can scan the QR code to verify its authenticity. Here is how to download it:

Step 1: After your internship ends and the company marks it as completed in the system, log into the portal using your intern credentials.

Step 2: Go to the “My Internship” section.

Step 3: Click on the “Internship Certificate” tab. This tab only becomes visible and accessible after the company has approved the certificate issuance. If you cannot see this tab, your company has not yet approved the certificate on their end. Follow up with your internship supervisor.

Step 4: Click on “Internship Completed” and fill out the exit survey form. This survey is mandatory before the download link activates.

Step 5: After submitting the survey, click “Download Certificate.” A QR-secured PDF will download automatically.

The certificate carries the PMIS branding, your name, the company name, the duration, and the sector. It is a government-backed document, which carries more weight than a privately issued internship letter when you apply for jobs later.

What Happens After the Internship: Employment and Career Prospects

The scheme does not guarantee a job offer. This is stated explicitly in the official guidelines. The internship does not create any employer-employee relationship between you, the company, and the Ministry.

However, companies are allowed to offer employment to interns who perform well. Given that the scheme involves 500+ top companies across India, the networking and visibility you gain are real. Companies that hire from their own internship cohorts is a common pattern across sectors, especially in banking, FMCG, and manufacturing.

Even without a direct job offer, completing a 12-month internship at a recognised company puts concrete, verifiable work experience on your CV. Combined with the QR-verified certificate, this is a meaningful credential for future job applications. For candidates who currently have little more than their degree to show, this matters considerably.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving the profile incomplete after registration

Registration just creates your login. Until eKYC, education, bank details, and skills are all saved, you cannot apply. Many candidates register, do not complete their profile, and then find they cannot apply when they revisit the portal weeks later.

Applying without reading the role description

The sector name in the listing does not tell you the actual role. A company in the “Automotive” sector may have a listed position in HR or accounts, not vehicle engineering. Read the full description before applying.

Using a bank account that is not Aadhaar-seeded

DBT transfers fail if your bank account is not Aadhaar-linked. Verify with your bank before submitting your bank details on the portal. A failed DBT transfer delays your stipend and requires a correction process that takes time.

Answering the 3 application questions carelessly

These questions are the only direct communication you have with the company before shortlisting. They are visible to the hiring team. Generic or careless answers reduce your chances of selection, even if your educational background is a good fit.

Applying for all 3 slots without research

You get 3 free applications. Do not use them up quickly on listings you have not researched properly. Check the location, additional benefits, application count versus available seats, and the role description for each before applying.

How PMIS Compares with Other Skill and Financial Opportunities

If you are already on scholarshipsfree.com looking for financial support, PMIS sits in a different category from scholarships. Scholarships support your education. PMIS supports your transition from education into the workforce. The two are not mutually exclusive if you are enrolled in a distance or online programme while interning.

For students and young people who are between degrees or waiting for admissions, this is worth combining with other opportunities. The National AI Skilling Initiative 2026, for instance, provides free AI training backed by MIB and Google, which can add a verifiable technical skill to your profile before or during a PMIS internship in the IT sector.

For those from economically weaker backgrounds who are currently in college, there are also state-level financial support programmes worth exploring alongside. The eKalyan Scholarship 2026 for Jharkhand students and the Tata Steel Millennium Scholarship are examples of programmes that can provide income support while you are studying, which may then free you up to take the PMIS internship without worrying about immediate income gaps during the transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if I am currently enrolled in a correspondence or online degree programme?
Yes. Candidates enrolled in online or distance learning programmes are explicitly eligible for PMIS. The ineligibility condition applies only to full-time degree programmes or full-time employment.

Does the ₹8 lakh income limit apply to my own income or my family’s?
It applies to the total annual income of your entire family from all sources combined. Your own individual income is not assessed separately.

What if I have already completed an NATS or NAPS apprenticeship? Can I still apply?
No. Candidates who have already completed an apprenticeship or training under NATS or NAPS are not eligible. This is different from currently being enrolled in one. If you completed it in the past, you are ineligible.

How much of the 12 months will be actual work versus classroom training?
At least 6 months must be spent in real working environments. The remaining time can include relevant training provided by the company. The exact split depends on the company’s internship structure, but the 6-month minimum for real work is a scheme-level requirement.

Can I apply to companies in a sector unrelated to my educational background?
Yes. The portal shows you opportunities based on your profile, but you are not restricted to your own field of study. Many positions in banking, FMCG, and retail are open to candidates from arts, commerce, and general science backgrounds.

Is reservation available for SC, ST, OBC, or PwD candidates?
The scheme does not have formal reservations, but the portal is designed to ensure fair representation across all segments. Companies cannot discriminate on the basis of caste, religion, or disability. If you face any such issue, you can report it to [email protected].

Will the internship certificate be useful if I want to apply abroad for higher studies?
A QR-verified 12-month internship at a recognised Indian company is a credible addition to any international university application. It demonstrates practical experience rather than just academic credentials, which many programmes explicitly value. How much weight individual universities place on it depends on their admissions criteria.

What should I do if my DBT payment does not arrive?
First, verify that your bank account is Aadhaar-seeded and the account details on the portal are correct. If everything is correct but payment has still not arrived within 7-10 working days of the expected date, contact the helpline at 1800 11 6090 or write to [email protected] with your registered mobile number and application details.

Contact and Official Resources

• Official Portal: pminternship.mca.gov.in
• Ministry of Corporate Affairs: mca.gov.in
• Helpline Number: 1800 11 6090 (toll-free)
• Email: [email protected]

Final Thoughts

The PM Internship Scheme is one of the more practically useful government youth programmes to come out in recent years. The combination of a ₹9,000 monthly stipend, a ₹6,000 joining grant, insurance coverage, company-funded training, and a verifiable certificate from a recognised employer adds up to something genuinely useful for a young person who has finished their education and is trying to get a foothold in the formal workforce.

The ineligibility conditions are the most important thing to double-check before you invest time in registering and completing your profile. The income limit, the government employment rule, the NATS/NAPS completion rule, and the IIT/IIM graduate exclusion are the four conditions that most applicants overlook.

If you are eligible, the application is free, the portal is functional, and the positions are live. There is no fee, no agent, and no third-party portal to go through. For more government-backed financial support and scholarship opportunities while you build your career, browse the full list at ScholarshipsFree India Scholarships.