Youth Internship Programme Aims to Skill One Crore Youth in Five Years

The Union Budget 2024-25 has unveiled an ambitious Youth Internship Programme, aimed at tackling the critical issue of youth unemployment in India. This program is designed to equip one crore (10 million) young individuals with valuable work experience over the next five years, significantly boosting their employability and bridging the gap between education and employment.

Key Details of the Youth Internship Programme

Phased Implementation

The Youth Internship Programme will be rolled out in two phases. In the first phase, over the next two years, 30 lakh (3 million) youth will be provided internships across India’s top 500 companies, with an allocated budget of ₹19,000 crore. The second phase will expand this effort, with a total target of one crore youth to be covered over five years.

Stipend and Financial Support

Interns under this scheme will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000, which amounts to an annual financial support of ₹60,000. In addition to the stipend, interns will also receive a one-time assistance of ₹6,000 to help cover incidental expenses. The financial support is designed to ensure that youth, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds, can participate in the programme without financial constraints.

Eligibility Criteria

The internship is open to youth aged between 21 and 24 years who are neither employed nor engaged in full-time education. The selection process will be conducted through an online portal, where candidates will be shortlisted based on objective criteria, with a focus on those with lower employability.

Certain groups will be ineligible for the program, such as those with qualifications from elite institutions like IITs and IIMs, candidates whose family members are government employees, or those who are assessed under Income Tax.

Involvement of the Private Sector

Corporate Participation through CSR

India’s top 500 companies are expected to participate in this programme, contributing to the initiative through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. Companies will contribute ₹6,000 annually towards the stipend for each intern, in addition to bearing the training costs. The programme is structured to ensure that companies not only offer internships but also provide real-world working experiences that align with their core business operations.

CSR and Administrative Costs

Companies will fulfill part of their CSR obligations by supporting the internship programme. While the government will bear the majority of the financial support for the interns, companies will manage training and administrative costs, which can also be counted as CSR expenditure. This partnership model between the government and the private sector is central to the programme’s success.

Potential Benefits of the Programme

For Youth:

• Real-world Experience: Interns will gain practical knowledge and skills by working in real job environments, significantly enhancing their resumes and increasing their employability.
• Career Opportunities: By working with some of India’s top companies, interns will have the opportunity to network and potentially secure long-term employment.
• Financial Support: The stipend and additional financial assistance will help interns manage their expenses, making the program accessible to a broader demographic.

For Companies:

• Talent Pipeline: The programme offers companies a chance to identify and nurture potential employees, creating a steady pipeline of skilled workers.
• Skill Development: Companies will contribute to the development of the next generation of professionals, aligning their CSR activities with national employment goals.
• CSR Fulfillment: The programme allows companies to fulfill their CSR obligations in a meaningful way, directly contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development.

Also read: Budget 2024-25 Highlights – Skilling, Employment and Higher Education

The success of the Youth Internship Programme will largely depend on the seamless cooperation between the government and participating companies. While the programme holds tremendous potential to transform the employment landscape for India’s youth, its impact will hinge on effective implementation and continuous support from all stakeholders involved.

In the coming months, as more details are revealed, the focus will shift towards how the programme will be operationalized and the specific roles that companies and state governments will play in its execution. The initiative promises to be a game-changer in addressing youth unemployment in India, providing a structured pathway from education to employment.