Govt mulls including MSMEs in PM internship scheme

MSMEs employ over 247 million people, accounting for over a third of Indian employees.

- Manas Pimpalkhare & Rituraj Baruah

The PM Internship Scheme, which has fallen short of its target despite a positive response to the pilot phase, may draft in millions of small businesses to help boost employment in the country.

The Union ministry of corporate affairs, the nodal ministry for the initiative, is discussing the inclusion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to two officials aware of the development, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Changes to the scheme being discussed may be announced in the upcoming Union Budget for 2025-26, the officials said.

Bringing MSMEs under the internship scheme, which provides a government-funded stipend and a one-time payment to interns hired by companies, could yield better results.

MSMEs currently employ over 247 million people, accounting for over a third of India's employment.