Ministry of Corporate Affairs
PM Internship Scheme 2026 Round 3 – ₹9,000/Month Stipend at India's Top Companies
Objective
PM Internship Scheme gives young Indians aged 18–25 a 6 to 9-month paid internship at India's top 500 companies, bridging the gap between education and employment by providing real-world work experience along with a monthly stipend funded jointly by the government and the company.
Eligibility Criteria
- Indian citizens aged 18 to 25 years as on the date of application (updated from March 21, 2026)
- Educational qualification: passed or pursuing ITI, diploma, Class 12, BA/B.Com/B.Sc, B.Tech, or any degree from a recognised institution
- Annual household income must be less than ₹8 lakh
- Should not be in full-time regular employment at the time of applying
- Not currently pursuing a full-time regular educational course (distance/part-time allowed)
- Should not have completed any degree from premier institutions (IITs, IIMs, IISc, NITs, CA, CMA — these are excluded)
Benefits & Features
- 1₹9,000 per month stipend — ₹8,000 from Government of India + ₹1,000 from the company (updated March 2026)
- 2₹6,000 one-time assistance at the start of the internship for incidental expenses
- 36 to 9 month internship at a company from India's top 500 (by CSR spend)
- 4PM Internship Certificate on completion — recognised across industries
- 5Accident insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh under PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
- 6Opportunity to convert internship into a full-time job based on performance
Required Documents
- Aadhaar card
- Educational qualification certificate (ITI/diploma/degree)
- Income certificate (household income below ₹8 lakh)
- Bank account (Aadhaar-linked for DBT)
- Passport-size photograph
- Age proof (Aadhaar or birth certificate)
How to Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
| Can I apply if I am still in college? | No. You must not be enrolled in any full-time regular educational course at the time of applying. However, distance learning or part-time courses do not disqualify you. |
| What is the age limit for PM Internship Scheme 2026? | As of the March 21, 2026 update, the age limit is 18 to 25 years (earlier it was 21–24 years). This means younger applicants who had aged out of the old criteria can now apply. |
| How long is the internship? | The duration is now 6 to 9 months (changed from 12 months as of March 2026). The specific duration depends on the internship, sector, and the company's requirements. |
| Which companies are participating in PM Internship Scheme? | Companies from India's top 500 by CSR spend — including Reliance Industries, TCS, Infosys, Mahindra, HDFC Bank, Maruti Suzuki, and 500+ others across sectors. |
| Is the stipend taxable? | The government's ₹8,000 contribution is a DBT grant and is generally not taxable. The company's ₹1,000 portion follows normal TDS rules as per the company's policies. |
Official Portal & Helpline
1What Is the PM Internship Scheme?
Millions of young Indians graduate every year and struggle to find their first job because employers want "experience" they've never had a chance to gain. The PM Internship Scheme breaks that catch-22.
Launched by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in FY 2024-25, the scheme places young people aged 18–25 in 6 to 9-month paid internships at India's top 500 companies — including Tata, Reliance, Infosys, HDFC Bank, and Mahindra. You get real work experience, a monthly stipend of ₹9,000, and a PM Internship Certificate that carries real weight.
Round 3 for 2026 is open. New listings are added regularly at pminternship.mca.gov.in.
March 2026 Updates: Age limit expanded to 18–25 (was 21–24). Duration revised to 6–9 months (was 12 months). Stipend split updated to ₹8,000 (govt) + ₹1,000 (company).
2The Stipend — Who Pays What
Your total monthly stipend is ₹9,000, split as:
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Government of India (DBT) | ₹8,000/month |
| The Internship Company | ₹1,000/month |
Plus a ₹6,000 one-time grant at the start — to cover relocation, travel, and initial expenses.
3Who Is Excluded — Read This Carefully
The scheme targets youth who need it most. The following are not eligible:
- Graduates of IITs, IIMs, IISc, NITs, IISER, and other premier central institutions
- CA (Chartered Accountants) and CMA qualifications
- Currently enrolled in full-time college/university (drop/gap year students can apply)
- Household income above ₹8 lakh per year
- Age below 18 or above 25 years
If you're from a local college or polytechnic — you're exactly who this scheme is designed for.
4What Companies Are Involved?
The 500 companies participating are selected based on their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) spending. The list spans:
- IT & Tech: TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies
- Banking & Finance: HDFC Bank, SBI, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra
- Manufacturing: Reliance, Mahindra, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki
- FMCG: HUL, ITC, Nestle
- Pharma: Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy's
Internship roles include finance, marketing, operations, logistics, IT support, customer service, HR, and more — not just technical roles.
5Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Go to pminternship.mca.gov.in
- Register with Aadhaar → verify with OTP
- Build your profile: education, state preference, areas of interest
- Browse available internships by company, sector, or location
- Apply for up to 5 positions per round
- If shortlisted, the company contacts you for an interview or direct selection
- On offer acceptance: complete e-KYC on the portal → ₹6,000 credited to your account
- Start your internship — ₹9,000/month credited on the 1st of each month
6After the Internship — What Next?
The 6–9 month duration gives you meaningful real-world experience while keeping the commitment manageable. At least half the internship period must be spent in the actual working environment (not classroom training). Many companies have committed to offering full-time positions to high-performing interns.
Your PM Internship Certificate is recognised by employers across India as proof of structured, corporate-standard work experience.