The PM Internship Scheme, introduced in the 2024 Union Budget, aims to provide 10 million internships in top companies over five years. With the pilot phase offering 125,000 opportunities, the program is ambitious and much needed for enhancing youth employability.
However, like any big plan, it’s facing its fair share of hiccups, from applicants backing out to the need for better preparation.
The scheme is on track to hit its initial targets, but the journey so far has been far from smooth. Here’s what the pilot phase is teaching us.
When Interns Ghost The Offers
Despite receiving over 620,000 applications, the scheme faced an unexpected twist—many candidates simply walked away after being offered internships. Initial acceptance rates hovered around one-third, only improving to two-thirds as the week progressed.
Why the sudden cold feet? Some admitted they had applied only because their parents pushed them to. A case of “apply first, think later,” it seems.
This raises a serious question: Are the right people applying? To make the program effective, both the government and companies need to ensure internships go to those genuinely interested, not just those ticking boxes to please their families.
As promising as the scheme sounds, its execution hasn’t been entirely seamless. Hindustan Times reported it could not independently verify the dropout rates mentioned in earlier coverage. This lack of clarity doesn’t help in building trust around such a large initiative.
While the pilot is expected to meet its target of 125,000 interns, handling dropout rates and non-serious applicants should be a priority. If this isn’t addressed, scaling the scheme for millions could become a logistical nightmare.
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Big Names, Bigger Expectations
Top firms like Reliance Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, HDFC Bank, and Maruti Suzuki are part of the pilot phase, offering internships to candidates. Their involvement is a strong endorsement of the scheme’s potential. However, managing such large-scale participation isn’t easy, especially when dropouts start to mount.
For companies, this could mean wasted resources and strained HR departments. Internships are about meaningful experiences, not just filling seats. Companies will need to rethink their strategies if they want to make the most of this initiative.
A Numbers Game Or A Genuine Opportunity?
The scheme’s goal of creating 10 million internships in five years sounds impressive, but the dropout rates from the pilot phase raise important concerns. If the focus is just on hitting big numbers, the program risks losing its purpose of enhancing employability.
To make a lasting impact, the scheme must address why so many applicants are backing out. Are they overwhelmed by the scale of the program? Are the internships matching their skills and interests? These are the questions the government and companies need to answer.
The PM Internship Scheme is a bold and much-needed initiative, but the pilot phase has revealed areas that need attention. Dropouts and non-serious applications may seem like minor issues now, but they highlight deeper challenges in execution.
The government and companies must work together to focus on quality over quantity. If the scheme can balance its ambitious goals with thoughtful planning, it has the potential to be a game-changer for India’s youth. For now, it’s a promising start, but the road ahead requires sharper focus and better preparation.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Hindustan Times, Economic Times, Times of India
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: PM Internship Scheme, Youth Employability, Skill Development, Government Initiatives, Internships in India, Career Opportunities, Corporate Partnerships, Employment Growth, Indian Budget 2024, Internship Trends, Youth Empowerment, Skill Enhancement, Education to Employment, Indian Youth Jobs, Internship Challenges
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.
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