PM Internship Scheme 2026: What Changed and How to Apply

The PM Internship Scheme 2026 now looks quite different from the version launched in October 2024. The stipend is higher, more people are eligible, internships are shorter, and companies can post openings at any time during the current round. If you are between 18 and 25 and want paid experience at a large company, this guide covers who can apply, what you get, the deadlines for Round III and how to apply on the official portal.

PM Internship Scheme 2026 at a glance

What changed in 2026

The government revised the scheme in March 2026 to deal with low joining and completion numbers. ThePrint reported these changes:

• Stipend nearly doubled, from ₹5,000 to ₹9,000 a month.
• Age band widened from 21–24 to 18–25.
• Shorter internships of six to nine months instead of a full year. Each company states the duration in its listing.
• Rolling postings: companies can add openings at any time in Round III, and candidates get more flexibility on joining dates.

In April 2026 the MCA also opened the scheme to final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students, provided they submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their institution. The PIB release says more than 300 companies took part in the pilot. The Indian Express reports that the scheme has also widened from the original top-500 companies to include MSMEs and sunrise sectors.

The scheme fits into a wider push on youth employability. Our look at Skill India’s first ten years gives that background.

Is the revamp working?

The early numbers are better, though there are still gaps:

• ThePrint reported on 13 October 2026 that more than 30,000 candidates had joined companies in Round III, and officials expected the figure to approach 40,000 by the end of October. The round’s target is 1.1 lakh enrolments.
• According to The Indian Express, citing MCA data, the joining rate (interns who joined compared with opportunities posted) rose to 9.5% in Round III, from 6.9% in Round I and 6.1% in Round II.
• The completion rate remains low: 42.6% in Round I and 39.4% in Round II. Interns who dropped out told the paper the main reasons were a lack of specialised skills training and on-the-job learning. They said experiences in manufacturing and IT were noticeably better.

The scheme’s long-term aim, set out at launch, is one crore internships over five years once it is fully rolled out. Officials told ThePrint that Round III may be the last pilot phase, but no final decision has been taken on the next steps.

Eligibility: who can apply

Based on the PIB release and district notices such as this one from Coimbatore, you can generally apply if you:

• Are an Indian citizen aged 18 to 25
• Hold the qualification asked for in the listing. This can be a class 10 or 12 pass, an ITI certificate, a polytechnic diploma or a graduate degree such as BA, BSc, BCom, BBA, BCA or BPharm.
• Are a final-year UG or PG student with an institution NOC (allowed from April 2026)
• Are not in full-time employment or full-time education, except for the final-year student exception above

The scheme also has exclusion rules covering, for example, graduates of certain premier institutes, people with professional qualifications such as CA or MBA, and candidates from households above specified income or tax thresholds or with a family member in a permanent government job. These rules have been revised over time, so read the current eligibility page on the portal before you apply.

How to apply for the PM Internship Scheme 2026

1. Go to pminternship.mca.gov.in and register with your mobile number and Aadhaar-based e-KYC.
2. Complete your profile: education, address, skills and preferred sectors and locations. A resume is generated from it.
3. Upload your documents. Final-year students also need to upload their NOC.
4. Browse the listings. Each one shows the company, location, duration and required qualification and has its own internship ID.
5. Apply to the roles you want and track offers on your dashboard.
6. Accept an offer and join on the agreed date. Round III joining runs until January 2027.

Example: Chennai Petroleum Corporation (CPCL) has posted 12 nine-month internships under PMIS with a ₹9,000 monthly stipend. Applications are open on the portal from 21 October to 11 November 2026, as set out in its official notification. PSUs and private firms post openings like this throughout the round, so it is worth checking the portal every week.

Tips to actually get, and finish, an internship

• Apply near home. Moving to another city on ₹9,000 a month is hard, and relocation is one reason people drop out.
• Read the role description. Interns who left mid-way often said there was too little real skills training, so pick roles with a clear learning plan.
• Use the official channels only. No fee is charged, and you should never pay an agent to “guarantee” a placement.
• Keep your profile current. Postings come in throughout the round, so update your skills and preferences.

Looking for other government support for your family? Our roundup of new government schemes for women, seniors and families in 2026 and our explainer on PM Surya Ghar Yojana are good next reads. If you are wondering how AI is changing entry-level work, see how AI is changing education in 2026.

If you’re choosing between an internship and an MBA, note the CAT 2026 exam date and admit card schedule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the stipend under the PM Internship Scheme 2026?

₹9,000 a month, plus a one-time grant of ₹6,000.

What is the age limit for PMIS 2026?

18 to 25 years. It was widened from 21–24 in the March 2026 revamp.

Can college students apply?

Final-year UG and PG students can apply if their institution gives them an NOC confirming that the internship will not interfere with their studies.

What is the last date to apply in Round III?

There is no single deadline for the whole round. Companies post openings until December 2026 and candidates can join until January 2027, but each listing has its own closing date.

Is there an application fee?

No. Applications are free and are accepted only through the official PMIS portal.