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PM Internship Scheme Gender Gap Narrows: Female Applicants Jump to 41% in Round-II

India’s youth employability landscape is evolving, and the PM Internship Scheme is at the forefront of this change. Recent data reveals a promising shift: female applicants surged to 41% in Round-II after a lackluster 28% participation in the pilot phase. This article unpacks the scheme’s impact, parliamentary scrutiny, and why this trend matters for exams like UPSC, SSC, and PSC. Let’s dive in!

The PM Internship Scheme, launched in 2024 under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), aims to bridge industry-academia gaps by placing one crore youth in top companies over five years. But its pilot round faced criticism from Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance, citing three core issues:
Gender Imbalance: Only 28% of interns were women.
Low Acceptance Rates: Mismatch between roles offered and candidate interests.
Underused Funds: Poor alignment with youth expectations.
The Committee flagged these as symptoms of deeper structural inequities, urging swift corrective action. The government responded proactively:
Tweaked Outreach: Targeted campaigns to encourage female applicants.
Flexible Norms: Addressed age-limit grievances (originally capped at 24).
CSR Integration: Partnered with corporates to fund ₹500/month per intern alongside GoI’s ₹4,500/month stipend.

The Turnaround in Round-II
Female applicant share jumped from 31% (Round-I) to 41% (Round-II), reflecting:
Policy Responsiveness: Quick fixes to inclusivity barriers.
Broader Impact: A template for gender equity in flagship schemes like Skill India.
Economic Significance: Practical exposure reduces skill deficits highlighted in NSSO surveys.
Unresolved Challenges
Despite progress, hurdles remain:
Low Conversion: Candidates decline roles due to mismatched skills or location.
Post-Internship Uncertainty: Limited job guarantees deter applicants.
Funding Flux: Budget allocation slashed from ₹2,000 crore (2024) to ₹380 crore (revised 2024–25), though ₹10,831 crore is earmarked for 2025–26.

Why This Matters for Aspirants
GS II (Mains): Case study for “Human Resource Development” and public-private partnerships.
Prelims: Links to “Social Sector Schemes” and inclusive growth metrics.
Current Affairs: Illustrates policy agility in addressing gender gaps.

5 Sample Q&A for Competitive Exams
Q1: Which ministry oversees the PM Internship Scheme?
Ans: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
Q2: What was the female intern percentage in Round-I of the scheme?
Ans: 28%, as per the Standing Committee on Finance’s 2024 report.
Q3: Identify two factors behind improved female participation in Round-II.
Ans: Targeted outreach campaigns and relaxation of age restrictions.
Q4: How much stipend does an intern receive monthly under the scheme?
Ans: ₹4,500 from the GoI + ₹500 from corporate CSR funds, totaling ₹5,000/month.
Q5: Why did the Standing Committee criticize the scheme’s pilot phase?
Ans: Due to gender imbalance (72:28 male-female ratio), low acceptance rates, and poor fund utilization.