Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman interacted with 86 interns from the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) representing 24 partner companies in New Delhi. The Minister discussed the interns' experiences, aspirations, and motivations for joining the scheme, emphasizing that PMIS was designed after extensive industry consultations to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and workplace readiness.
The scheme provides practical industry exposure and hands-on training, with several interns receiving full-time job offers from their respective companies. Minister Sitharaman highlighted that the scheme is not restricted to academic qualifications alone and enables youth to pursue internships in areas of interest. She advised interns to work with focus and responsibility, noting that even small mistakes can affect end consumers and company reputation.
Specific success stories were highlighted, including Dhruv Gupta from Delhi (IT background interning with NSE) who gained finance sector exposure and now aims for a fintech career; Naina from Uttar Pradesh who moved to Daman for an Alkem internship and received a full-time job offer; and Parul Rajput from Haryana interning with Hero MotoCorp who emphasized quality and safety responsibilities in two-wheeler production.
PMIS is part of the Prime Minister's five-initiative package aimed at facilitating employment, skill development, and opportunities for Indian youth over five years, providing paid internships in leading companies across India to enhance employability through practical experience. The event reaffirmed the government's commitment to nurturing a future-ready workforce aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.