UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme falters as funds largely remain unused

Q1. With reference to the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS), consider the following statements: 1. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. 2. The top 500 companies for the scheme are identified on the basis of their average CSR expenditure of the last three years. 3. In 2025, the scheme's coverage was extended to all registered MSMEs in addition to the top 500 companies. 4. The entire monthly stipend payable to an intern is funded out of the participating company's CSR pool. Which of the statements given above are NOT correct?

1. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
2. The top 500 companies for the scheme are identified on the basis of their average CSR expenditure of the last three years.
3. In 2025, the scheme's coverage was extended to all registered MSMEs in addition to the top 500 companies.
4. The entire monthly stipend payable to an intern is funded out of the participating company's CSR pool.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 3 and 4 only
• C. 1, 3 and 4
• D. 2 and 4 only

Q2. With reference to the eligibility and stipend structure of the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS), consider the following statements: 1. Candidates in the age group of 21 to 24 years who are not engaged in full-time employment or full-time education are eligible. 2. Final-year graduate and post-graduate students have been brought within the scope of the scheme by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. 3. Interns receive a monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,000, of which Rs 4,500 is paid by the Government through Direct Benefit Transfer and Rs 500 from the partner company's CSR funds. 4. Each intern is entitled to a one-time financial assistance of Rs 6,000 in addition to the monthly stipend. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

1. Candidates in the age group of 21 to 24 years who are not engaged in full-time employment or full-time education are eligible.
2. Final-year graduate and post-graduate students have been brought within the scope of the scheme by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
3. Interns receive a monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,000, of which Rs 4,500 is paid by the Government through Direct Benefit Transfer and Rs 500 from the partner company's CSR funds.
4. Each intern is entitled to a one-time financial assistance of Rs 6,000 in addition to the monthly stipend.

• A. 1, 2 and 3 only
• B. 2, 3 and 4 only
• C. 1, 3 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS) as distinguished from the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), consider the following statements: 1. While NAPS is administered by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, PMIS is administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. 2. PMIS restricts internship placements to the top 500 companies identified on the basis of their average CSR expenditure of the last three years, a restriction that does not apply under NAPS. 3. Unlike NAPS, the entire monthly financial assistance under PMIS is met from the Corporate Social Responsibility funds of the participating companies, with no contribution from the Consolidated Fund of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. While NAPS is administered by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, PMIS is administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
2. PMIS restricts internship placements to the top 500 companies identified on the basis of their average CSR expenditure of the last three years, a restriction that does not apply under NAPS.
3. Unlike NAPS, the entire monthly financial assistance under PMIS is met from the Corporate Social Responsibility funds of the participating companies, with no contribution from the Consolidated Fund of India.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS), which targets internship opportunities for one crore youth in India's top 500 companies over five years, was announced in which one of the following Union Budgets?

• A. Union Budget 2022-23
• B. Union Budget 2023-24
• C. Union Budget 2024-25
• D. Union Budget 2025-26

Q5. Which one of the following Union Ministries is the nodal ministry for the implementation of the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS)?

• A. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
• B. Ministry of Labour and Employment
• C. Ministry of Education
• D. Ministry of Corporate Affairs