Why in the News?

• The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme has come under scrutiny after government data revealed that only one in five selected candidates accepted the internship offer, and 20% of those who joined quit before completing the programme.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• PM Internship Scheme (Overview, Key Features, etc.)
• Criticism of Scheme (Key Findings, Govt Response & Improvements, Broader Significance, etc.)

Overview of the PM Internship Scheme

• The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme is a government initiative aimed at providing young graduates with hands-on exposure to the functioning of Central Ministries, Departments, and public sector institutions.
• The scheme is designed to help students understand policy implementation, administrative processes, and grassroots governance.
• Interns are selected through a national-level application process that assesses academic merit, motivation, and interest in public policy.
• They are placed in various government offices to work on research, data analysis, field studies, project tracking, and documentation tasks.
• The scheme offers a stipend and a structured internship duration, though it does not guarantee a government job.

Key Findings: Low Acceptance and Premature Dropouts

• Recent data shows that only 20% of shortlisted candidates actually accepted the offer, despite rigorous screening and shortlisting processes.
• Even more concerning is that around 20% of those who joined exited early, signalling deeper structural issues.
• Possible Reasons for Low Offer Acceptance

• Low Stipend or Financial Constraints: Many candidates felt the stipend did not sufficiently cover relocation and living expenses in major cities.
• Better Private Sector Opportunities: Graduates often receive higher-paying corporate offers, reducing the attractiveness of government internships.
• Limited Career Pathway: The internship does not guarantee government employment, making it less appealing for students seeking stable career prospects.
• Geographical Mismatch: Many postings required interns to work in distant states or field settings.

• Reasons for Early Dropouts

• Mismatch between job expectations and actual tasks
• Lack of mentorship or structured learning
• Limited exposure to decision-making processes
• Logistical and accommodation difficulties

• These issues collectively hinder the scheme’s objective of building youth capacity in public governance.

Government Response and Planned Improvements

• The government has acknowledged these challenges and is evaluating ways to improve the scheme. Proposed measures include:
• Enhancing Stipend Support
  • There are discussions about revised stipends, especially for postings in Tier-1 cities where expenses are higher.
• Better Orientation and Mentorship
  • A more robust orientation module and structured mentorship framework are being considered to ensure interns gain meaningful exposure.
• Improved Matching Between Interns and Departments
  • The government aims to streamline the process so interns are placed in departments aligned with their academic background and career interests.
• Strengthening Monitoring Mechanisms
  • Digital tracking of intern performance, attendance, and learning milestones could offer more accountability and clarity.
• Exploring Hybrid or Remote Internship Models
  • To widen participation, hybrid internship models, allowing remote work for certain tasks, may be evaluated.
• These reforms could potentially make the internship more attractive and reduce early dropout rates.

Broader Significance: Youth Engagement in Governance

• Internships in public administration play a crucial role in strengthening democratic participation.
• With India's vast demographic dividend, where over 65% of the population is below 35 years, programmes like the PM Internship Scheme can bridge the gap between young citizens and the institutional processes that shape policy.
• A more successful internship model can benefit the government by:

• Creating a pipeline of trained young professionals
• Encouraging innovative thinking and technological adoption in ministries
• Enhancing citizen-centric governance
• Improving transparency through data-driven interns’ work

• For youth, the benefits include exposure to real-world challenges, development of policy skills, and insights into governance mechanisms.

Challenges Ahead

• Despite its goals, the scheme faces systemic challenges:

• Perceptions of limited growth opportunities
• Competition from private sector internships
• Difficulty attracting talent from rural or low-income backgrounds
• Need for structured learning outcomes and certifications

• Unless these concerns are addressed comprehensively, the scheme may continue to face participation constraints.