PM Internship Scheme 2026: New Rules, ₹9,000 Stipend & How to Apply (Round 3 Live)
The PM Internship Scheme is back with a bigger, simpler round. Round 3 of the pilot is LIVE and rolling until December 2026 — with a target of about 1.10 lakh internships this round. The headline change is money: the monthly stipend is now ₹9,000, up from ₹5,000 in the earlier rounds. This page explains the PM Internship Scheme 2026 in full: the new rules, the ₹9,000 stipend, who can apply and the exact steps to apply.
Launched on 3 October 2024 and announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, the scheme aims to give 1 crore young Indians real company experience over five years. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, check: Who is Not Eligible for PM Internship Scheme? Check Now →
What changed in 2026 (old vs new rules)
| Rule | 2024 (rounds 1–2) | 2026 (round 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly stipend | ₹5,000 | ₹9,000 |
| One-time grant | ₹6,000 | ₹6,000 (unchanged) |
| Internship duration | 12 months | 6 or 9 months (set by each posting) |
| Family income limit | ₹8 lakh/year | Under ₹12 lakh/year |
| Companies | Top 500 by CSR spend | Top 2,000 by CSR spend + large companies (turnover above ₹1,000 crore or net worth above ₹500 crore) |
| Application model | Fixed rounds | Rolling — companies post through the year |
PM Internship Scheme 2026: Round 3 status right now
Round 3 is LIVE. It opened on 12 June 2026 and runs until December 2026, or until all ~1.10 lakh slots are filled.
As of this draft, 21,700+ internship roles are listed across 20+ sectors, 32 states/UTs, and 380+ districts.
Companies are still adding postings every week, so the count keeps rising.
Applications stay open while slots remain — there is no single last date for Round 3.
Stipend in 2026: ₹9,000 per month + ₹6,000 grant
Monthly stipend: ₹9,000 — ₹900 paid by the company, ₹8,100 by the government via DBT.
One-time grant: ₹6,000, paid in two ₹3,000 instalments (the first usually within the first month; the second after 2–3 months on the portal).
Who can apply in 2026
- Age 18–25 on the application date.
- Family income below ₹12 lakh/year (one help page on the official portal still shows the old ₹8 lakh figure — use ₹12 lakh).
- Education: Class 12 / ITI / diploma / undergraduate degree holders. Final-year UG and PG students are also eligible with a No Objection Certificate from their institution.
- Must not be in full-time employment or full-time education at the time of joining.
- Not be a family member of a permanent government employee.
- Maximum of 3 active applications at a time. You can receive up to 2 offers but accept only 1.
Who can apply (2026 eligibility)
- Citizenship: Indian citizen.
- Age: 18 to 25 years on the date you submit the application.
- Education: 10th pass and above, up to graduates — including final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students (your institution may need to give a No Objection Certificate).
- Family income: under ₹12 lakh in the preceding financial year — counted across you, your parents and your spouse.
- Not eligible: anyone who (or whose parent/spouse) is a permanent government employee, or whose family income crosses the ₹12 lakh limit.
Who cannot apply
You are out if any of these is true: your family income (you + parents + spouse) exceeded ₹12 lakh last financial year; you, a parent or your spouse hold a permanent government job. The scheme also does not promise a job afterwards — it is paid workplace exposure, and companies may hire strong interns separately, but nothing is assured.
If your family has a government employee, or you’re unsure about the age, income, or education cut-offs, check our detailed guide: Who is Not Eligible for PM Internship Scheme? Check Now
The money, precisely
₹9,000/month: ₹900 from the host company, ₹8,100 from the government directly to your bank account (DBT).
₹6,000 one-time grant: paid in two parts of ₹3,000 (joining-related support).
Duration: 6 or 9 months depending on the posting; at least half must be real work, not classroom training. (Interns from the earlier 12-month rounds continue on the old terms.)
How to apply, step by step
- Go to the official portal: pminternship.mca.gov.in (run by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs). Applications are online and free — there is no fee at any stage.
- Register with your details and verify your mobile number.
- Fill in your profile: education, skills, preferred sectors and locations.
- Browse openings — filter by sector, company and district. New postings appear through the year, so check back if nothing fits today.
- Apply to openings that match (you can hold up to 3 active applications at a time).
- If shortlisted, complete the company’s selection process (varies by posting).
- You can receive up to 2 offers but may accept only 1 — choose carefully.
Documents usually needed: Aadhaar, educational certificates/mark sheets, bank account details (for DBT), passport-size photo, and a No Objection Certificate if you are a final-year student.
After you finish
Interns who complete the internship receive a digital, tamper-proof certificate issued jointly by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the participating company — verified proof of work experience for your resume. It is not a job offer, but it is credible, government-backed experience with some of India’s largest companies.
5 mistakes that cost applicants their chance
- Trusting last year’s numbers — applying with 2024-era expectations (₹5,000, age 21–24) and missing that you are now eligible, or vice versa.
- Applying everywhere at once — you get 3 active applications; spray-and-pray wastes them. Match the posting to your profile.
- Ignoring the income rule — the ₹12 lakh family-income check includes parents and spouse; a wrong declaration can disqualify you later.
- Skipping the NOC — final-year students: get your institution’s No Objection Certificate before you apply, not after shortlisting.
- Waiting for “the last date” — there is none in Round 3. Rolling postings reward the early applicant; good roles fill while others wait.
FAQs
Is the PM Internship Scheme still open in 2026?
Yes. Round 3 runs until December 2026 on a rolling basis — companies keep posting new openings on pminternship.mca.gov.in.
What is the stipend in 2026?
₹9,000 per month (₹900 from the company + ₹8,100 from the government via DBT), plus a one-time ₹6,000 grant in two instalments.
What is the age limit now?
18 to 25 years on the date of application — wider than the 21–24 window of the first rounds.
Does the internship guarantee a job?
No. It is designed for exposure and skill-building. Companies may hire good interns, but the scheme itself promises no employment.
Can final-year students apply?
Yes — final-year UG and PG students are eligible under the 2026 rules, generally with a No Objection Certificate from their institution.
Where do I apply?
Only on the official portal, pminternship.mca.gov.in. It is free; anyone asking for a fee is running a scam.
MyBharatPortal is an independent guide website, not the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Scheme rules can change — always confirm current details on pminternship.mca.gov.in before applying.
