GD Topic - PM Internship Scheme: How Effective is it in Enhancing Youth Employability?

Entrance exams for admission to the MBA programme have started taking place. Candidates who have taken or are about to take MBA entrance exams must prepare for the Group Discussion Round. Check out the article below for a discussion on the PM Internship Scheme and its effectiveness.

PM Internship Scheme 2024

Group Discussion (GD) is the second step in the MBA admission process. Once the MBA entrance exams are over and the results are announced, top B-schools conduct Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. During GD, a topic is given to the group, and the participants are given five minutes before the discussion starts. Candidates get around 20-25 minutes to discuss the topic and express their opinions. 

Management of Business Studies (MBA) is a two-year post-graduation degree pursued by students from all streams, including Commerce, Science, and Arts/Humanities. To get admission in the MBA course, students have to appear for the MBA entrance exams. Some of the most popular exams include CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, and MAH MBA CET.

Check Out: Best MBA Colleges in India

What is the PM Internship Scheme?

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, introduced the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme 2024. The scheme was inititated to bridge gaps between the skills students learn and the needs of the job market. With the scheme, the government aims to provide 12-month internships to one crore young people in the next five years. To make this scheme successful, the Government of India partnered with over 500 top companies. Companies like ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, and Maruti Suzuki are participating in the scheme.

Eligibility Criteria of PM Internship Scheme 2024

To be eligible for the PM Internship Scheme, a candidate:

• Must have passed Class 10
• Must be between 21 and 24 years of age
• Must be neither employed nor pursuing a full-time course

The online portal of the PM Internship Scheme opened on October 3, 2024, for participating companies. Candidates were allowed to access the portal and apply for internships from October 12. Over 1.5 lakh candidates registered within 24 hours of the portal's opening. The interns will receive a total of ₹5,000, which includes a ₹4,500 monthly stipend from the government and ₹500 per month from the company.

The Government of India launched the PM Internship Scheme's pilot project on December 2, 2024. With the project opening, the portal received over 6 lakh registrations. According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the 1^st cohort of interns from 625 districts have started their internship across 34 states/UTs in India.

Kinds of Internship Provided under the PM Internship Scheme

The participant will get the opportunity to get an internship in the following sectors:

• IT and Software Development
• Banking and Financial Services
• Oil, Gas & Energy
• Metals & Mining
• FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods)
• Telecom
• Infrastructure & Construction
• Retail & Consumer Durables
• Cement & Building Materials
• Automotive
• Pharmaceutical
• Aviation & Defence
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Chemical
• Media
• Entertainment & Education
• Agriculture and Allied
• Consulting Services
• Textile Manufacturing
• Gems and Jewellery
• Travel & Hospitality
• Healthcare 

PM Internship Scheme 2024: A Comprehensive Overview

Here's a brief overview of the PM Internship Scheme 2024:

 Note: Students from IITs, IIMs, National Law Universities, and individuals with professional degrees like CA, MBA, MBBS, etc., are excluded to promote inclusivity for underrepresented groups.

Key Objective of the PM Internship Scheme

The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, has the following goals:

• Bridging the gap between education and employment
• Skill Development
• Building Capacity
• Networking Opportunities
• Encouraging Youth Involvement
• Reducing Regional Disputes
• Career Guidance

Challenges Faced under the PM Internship Scheme 2024

The PM Internship Scheme has faced several challenges. Let us know about some of these challenges here:

1. Regional Disparities: There are fewer local industries and businesses in less industrialized states like Bihar. The government may find it difficult to offer adequate internship opportunities within or near the candidate’s district.
2. Relevance of Skill Development: Although interns get basic training, the scheme must ensure they gain essential digital and soft skills. These skills may not be available in districts with a lack of advanced industry presence.
3. High Dropout Rates and Poor Role Matching: The possibility of dropout rates and disengagement can increase if there is a misalignment between the candidate’s skills and the roles offered.
4. Cultural and Social Barriers: Some regions may face less participation from people, especially among women and marginalized groups. The reason behind this can be cultural norms and a lack of public awareness.
5. High Dropout Rates and Poor Role Matching: The chances of dropout rates and disengagement will increase if there is a misalignment between the candidate’s skills and the roles offered.

Expected Changes in the PM Internship Scheme 2024

To overcome the challenges faced till now, the Government of India is planning to make some changes to its flagship internship scheme to make it more inclusive and effective. Following are the suggested changes in the PM Internship Scheme:

• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs proposed to expand the scope of participating companies. Until now, over 500 top companies have partnered with the government. However, the MCA plans to partner with 1000 top companies, including banks and financial institutions. By adding more companies, the government plans to bring a broader pool of opportunities for interns.
• Another big change that can happen in this scheme is the eligibility criteria. The age limit for the scheme may be revised from 21-24 years to 18-26 years.
• There may be some relaxation in the educational eligibility of the scheme. At present, students pursuing degrees or those without a high school diploma are excluded from the scheme. However, with new changes, they might be included to attract a wider range of applicants.

With these changes, more people will be able to access the scheme and the government will also be able to fulfill its goal of building a skilled workforce and enhancing employability. The changes will be made only after the completion of the pilot project.

Top Group Discussion (GD) Topics for MBA GD/PI 

Candidates preparing for the Group Discussion Rounds for admission in MBA at B-schools can check out the below GD topics:

• Importance of Statue of Unity 
• Citizenship Amendment Act - What and Why 
• Making Aadhaar mandatory is not a good idea- for or against 
• Implications of CAA-NCR 
• Cashless Economy – Is India ready for it? 
• All you need to know about Right To Information
• How can we control banking frauds to reduce NPAs? 
• Statue of Unity - Symbol of Pride or Wastage of Public Money? 
• Rural vs Urban India 
• Environment and us 
• Self Motivation 
• First impression is the last impression 
• Quick Commerce: A Step Toward Progress or a Wasteful Luxury?
• Funding Democracy: Are Electoral Bonds a Boon or Bane?
• Crime Against Women in India: Who Bears the Responsibility?
• Innovation Vs Invention: What does the world need?
• PM Internship Scheme: How Effective is it in Enhancing Youth Employability?
• Job Reservation in Private Sector: A Boon or a Barrier?
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Reforming Criminal Law for Better or Worse?
• Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India: Dream or Reality?
• India’s Historic Performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024
• Global Innovation Index 2024: India Jumps from 81st to 39th Rank in 9 Years
• UCPMP 2024: Strengthening Ethical Standards in Pharmaceutical Marketing
• Global Food and Hunger Crisis: India Ranks 105 at Global Hunger Index 2024
• Making India a Semiconductor Powerhouse: The SEMICON India Programme
• Monkeypox Outbreak: A Wake-Up Call for Better Disease Surveillance
• GST Rate Changes After the 55th GST Council Meeting: Simplification or Complexity?
• Union Budget 2024: Are the New Income Tax Slabs a Win for the Middle Class?