UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19 March 2025
PM Internship Scheme in news- Key Highlights

Why in News:
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged more companies to participate in the PM Internship Scheme (PMIS), emphasizing its national importance.
Introduction
- Audible enclaves are localized pockets of sound that remain unaffected by external noise. These technological innovations enable sound delivery to a specific individual even in a crowded environment.
- Researchers have developed these enclaves using parametric array loudspeakers and high-frequency sound waves, creating a new frontier in personalized auditory experiences.
About the PM Internship Scheme
The scheme aims to tackle youth unemployment by providing internship opportunities to one crore young individuals over the next five years. Participants will receive:
- A monthly stipend of ₹4,500 from the government.
- An additional ₹500 from companies under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives for a one-year internship.
- A one-time grant of ₹6,000 upon enrollment.
- Insurance coverage under the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age: 21-24 years.
- Education: Minimum Class 10 qualification; however, graduates from premier institutions (IITs, IIMs) and professionals like Chartered Accountants (CAs) are excluded.
- Employment Status: Must be unemployed and not engaged in full-time work.
- Income Limit: Annual family income should not exceed ₹8 lakh; families with government employees are not eligible.
Benefits of the Scheme
- The PM Internship Scheme enhances employability by providing real-world industry experience, similar to Singapore’s Skills Future Internship Programme, which prepares students for high-demand jobs.
- It promotes social mobility by offering opportunities to students from diverse economic backgrounds, much like Germany’s Vocational Training System, which supports young professionals through paid apprenticeships.
- The scheme helps develop essential workplace skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, making interns more job-ready.
- By creating a skilled workforce, it contributes to national economic growth and reduces unemployment.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships, the initiative ensures a steady flow of industry-ready professionals, similar to Canada’s Mitacs Internship Program, which connects students with industry leaders.
Key Features of the PM Internship Scheme
- The Government of India provides ₹4,500 per month to selected interns through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- An additional ₹500 is contributed by companies through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
- Interns also receive a one-time grant of ₹6,000 per annum to cover incidental expenses.
- Companies have complete autonomy in selecting candidates from a shortlist, ensuring transparency and flexibility.
- The PM Internship Scheme is part of the Prime Minister’s Package for Employment and Skilling, introduced in Budget 2024-25 with a total allocation of ₹2 lakh crore.
Enhancements in the Second Phase
To improve accessibility and efficiency, the government has introduced:
- PMIS Mobile App – allowing candidates to track applications and access opportunities.
- Referral Program – enabling registered candidates to refer others and earn rewards.
- Improved Dashboard – making the PMIS portal more user-friendly with detailed role descriptions.
- Outreach Events – conducted in 80+ educational institutions and Rozgar Melas to increase awareness.
Conclusion
- The PM Internship Scheme is a crucial step in leveraging India’s demographic dividend by equipping youth with practical industry experience. While industry participation has increased, greater engagement from top companies is essential for the scheme’s success.
- The government remains committed to ensuring transparency, accessibility, and inclusivity, aiming to make the program a cornerstone of employment generation and skill development in India.

Genome study: 180 million genetic variants found in 9,772 individuals
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 09th April 2025 Home / Genome study: 180 million genetic variants found in 9,772 individuals Why

RBI slashes repo- rate
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10th April 2025 Home / RBI slashes repo- rate Why in News? RBI reduced the repo

What does a bear market mean for Wall Street?
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10th April 2025 Home / What does a bear market mean for Wall Street? Why in

Cabinet approves irrigation scheme for ‘modernising’ water management
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10th April 2025 Home / Cabinet approves irrigation scheme for ‘modernising’ water management Why in News?

India ends transshipment facility for Bangladesh exports, cites congestion
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10th April 2025 Home / India ends transshipment facility for Bangladesh exports, cites congestion Why in

Centre approves ₹63,000-crore deal for procuring 26 Rafale-M jets from France
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10th April 2025 Home / Centre approves ₹63,000-crore deal for procuring 26 Rafale-M jets from France

Donald Trump raises taxes on Chinese imports to 125%, pauses tariffs on most nations for 90 days
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 10th April 2025 Home / Donald Trump raises taxes on Chinese imports to 125%, pauses tariffs

Union Cabinet approves ₹22,919 Cr scheme for promoting electronics component manufacturing
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 09th April 2025 Home / Union Cabinet approves ₹22,919 Cr scheme for promoting electronics component manufacturing