The Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) Mela was organised by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at the CII Suresh Neotia Centre of Excellence for Leadership in Salt Lake City, Kolkata. The event brought together youth from various districts of East India and prominent companies offering internships under the PMIS. The mela aimed to educate young aspirants about the wide array of opportunities available on the PM internship portal while facilitating direct engagement between industry representatives and potential interns.

Various industries had set up kiosks at the event, providing a platform for attendees to explore available internships, assess career alignment, and understand eligibility criteria. Dedicated registration stations enabled participants to complete their profiles and apply for internships on the official portal, with on-ground assistance ensuring a seamless experience.

Round table interactions were organised where current PMIS interns shared their experiences, key learnings, and challenges with officials from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Five outstanding interns from Round 1 of the scheme were felicitated for their exceptional performance.

PMIS, announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, offers 12-month paid internships in India’s top companies for youth aged 21 to 24 who are not engaged in full-time education or employment. The scheme targets over one crore internships in the next five years. Round 2 of the pilot phase is currently underway, with over one lakh internship opportunities from 300+ top companies across 740 districts. East India alone has more than 12,500 opportunities, with over 4,000 in West Bengal, positioning the region as a significant hub for skill development and employability.

The PMIS Mela in Kolkata attracted over 900 youth from across East India, with more than 400 eligible candidates successfully completing their registration after receiving personalised counselling and industry guidance.