New Delhi, March 16 The Ministry of Corporate Affairs said on Monday that 7,292 candidates had left the internship program without completing it under the Prime Minister Internship Scheme.
The scheme has been implemented as a pilot project in two phases.
The first phase of the project began on October 3, 2024, receiving approximately 6.21 lakh applications from over 1.81 lakh candidates. Partner companies offered internships to over 60,000 candidates, and 8,760 interns joined the program.
In the second phase, which commenced from January 9, 2025, approximately 4.55 lakh applications were received from over 2.14 lakh candidates. Partner companies offered internships to over 71,000 candidates, and more than 7,300 interns joined the program, the Ministry informed the Lok Sabha.
Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Harsh Malhotra, in written replies, stated that the scheme is not designed to provide placement offers.
He stated that the scheme is designed to enhance industry-relevant skills, improve job readiness, and foster professional exposure through structured internships in India's top-performing companies and institutions to create a skilled workforce ready for employment.
"As of March 9, 2026, 7,292 candidates have left the internship without completing it, in both phases of the PMIS pilot project," the Minister said.
The 12-month completion dates for internships under the first phase are from November 2025 to March 2026, and from April 2026 under the second phase, depending on the joining date of the interns.
"As of March 9, 2026, 3,605 interns from Round I have completed the internship," the Minister said.
According to him, for the financial year 2025-26, Rs 10,831.07 crore has been allocated to the Ministry for the scheme, while the actual expenditure is estimated at Rs 87.46 crore.
"However, the main scheme could not be commenced, and the pilot project has been continued," the Minister said.
The monthly financial assistance for PMIS interns has been increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 9,000, effective March 2026, the Minister said.