New Delhi: The Prime Minister Internship Scheme is facing low participation and high attrition in its first year, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha. The scheme aims to train one crore young people over five years. However, only a small share of selected candidates have joined the programme.
In the first round, companies offered internships to more than 60,000 candidates. In the second round, they offered about 71,000. Only 16,000 interns joined across both cycles. The dropout rate is high, with 6,618 interns leaving their posts before finishing the 12-month term. This is about 41 percent of those who joined. Only 95 interns have received job offers so far.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs received a budget of Rs 10,831 crore for the scheme for FY 2025-26. As of September 30, it has used Rs 73.72 crore. The ministry says low interest in available roles, long travel distances and the one-year term are key reasons for low joining and high dropout.
The first phase launched in October last year. It saw 6.21 lakh applications and more than 82,000 offers, but only 8,700 candidates joined. The second phase, which began in January 2025, saw more than 83,000 offers and 24,600 acceptances. Yet, only 7,300 finally joined.
Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of joiners. Applications from several states dropped sharply in the second round. Applications from SC and ST candidates also fell, and fewer SC and ST candidates joined.
Only 17 companies have issued job offers. Muthoot Finance made the highest number of offers, followed by Tech Mahindra and Manappuram Finance. ONGC was the only public sector company to offer a full-time role.
