Odisha Gears Up for Effective Implementation of PM Internship Scheme

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to enhance youth employability, the Odisha government has intensified efforts to implement the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS) effectively across the state. A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at Lok Seva Bhavan on Tuesday focused on strategizing the seamless execution of the scheme, ensuring maximum participation and industry collaboration.

The meeting was attended by Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India, and Anu Garg, Development Commissioner of Odisha, along with senior officials from key departments. Secretary Mukerjee highlighted Odisha’s proactive participation in the first phase of PMIS, revealing that the very first intern under the scheme hailed from the state. She stressed the importance of building on this momentum as the state prepares for Round 2 of the program.

PMIS is designed to provide structured internships for eligible candidates aged 21 to 24 years in top companies across India. Each intern will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000, with ₹500 contributed by the host company and ₹4,500 disbursed by the Government of India through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Additionally, interns will receive a one-time joining grant of ₹6,000 and insurance coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). The scheme aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by offering hands-on industry experience and skill enhancement.

Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to PMIS, directing departments such as Skill Development & Technical Education, School & Mass Education, Higher Education, Labour & ESI, and Housing & Urban Development to work in close coordination. He also stressed the need for an extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign to ensure maximum outreach among eligible youth.

To facilitate a smooth rollout, hands-on training sessions for State Nodal Officers are currently underway. The application process for Round 2 internships is set to open on February 15, 2025. Field officials from the School and Mass Education and Higher Education departments, along with principals of Government ITIs, Polytechnics, and district-level Model Career Centers, will play a crucial role in mobilizing candidates and assisting with the application process.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Chithra Arumugam, Principal Secretary of the Labour & Employees’ State Insurance Department; Shalini Pandit, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School & Mass Education Department; Arvind Agrawal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department; and Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Skill Development & Technical Education Department, along with representatives from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.