Female Participation Jumps to 41% in Second Round of PM Internship Scheme

The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) has witnessed a notable increase in female applicants, with participation climbing from 31% in the first round to 41% in the second round of the pilot project. According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the rise is the result of targeted outreach initiatives and strategic changes made to the scheme’s implementation process.

What Drove the Increase?

The MCA credited two primary factors for the surge in female participation,

Mass Outreach Programmes Conducted in collaboration with state governments and MCA’s regional offices to raise awareness about the scheme. Improved Scheme Features with Adjustments to the application process and information-sharing helped make opportunities more transparent and accessible to women.

Internship Opportunities and Applications

In the second round, which began in January 2025,

327 companies posted over 118,000 internship opportunities (including both new and previously unfilled positions). Opportunities spanned 735 districts across India. Over 455,000 applications were received from 214,000 candidates. This marks a substantial expansion compared to the first round, reflecting growing awareness and interest in the scheme.

Changes That Made a Difference

The ministry introduced several user-friendly features in the second round,

• Exact internship locations and geo-tagging on the portal to help applicants choose roles closer to home.
• Company names and profiles made visible to increase transparency.
• Information on additional benefits offered by companies, beyond the government-stipulated stipend.
• These steps aimed to make the scheme more appealing, especially to women who may have location or travel constraints.

Government and State-Level Support

Appointed nodal officers in regional offices to drive awareness campaigns. Encouraged state and union territory governments to designate nodal departments or officers to facilitate information flow. Conducted Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives to connect directly with students and job seekers.

Impact on Female Recruitment

While the first round saw 28% female recruits—closely matching the 31% female application rate—the second round’s jump to 41% female applicants suggests stronger representation in the final selection process this time.

With the selection process still ongoing, final recruitment figures will provide a clearer picture of the scheme’s impact on women’s internship participation.