PM Internship Scheme to open 1 lakh CA firm roles soon

• Government may allow over one lakh CA firms to join PM Internship Scheme.
• Proposed rule change removes CSR requirement, expanding opportunities for youth nationwide.
• Initiative expected to benefit students in Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns significantly.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is requesting updates to the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS) which will create new internship opportunities for chartered accountant (CA) firms throughout the country.

The scheme currently permits participation to only those 500 companies which demonstrate the highest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditures.

Interns receive a monthly payment of ₹5,000 which lasts for 12 months under this program that receives funding from both the government and company CSR donations. The majority of CA firms lack CSR funding which stops them from participating in the program.

ICAI President Prasanna Kumar D has said discussions are underway with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to remove the CSR condition so that effectively all registered CA firms more than one lakh of them can take on interns.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) believes that this change will create numerous job openings for young people who live in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities because chartered accountant (CA) firms maintain strong ties to these communities.

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ICAI establishes its corporate internship program while also developing its corporate Mitra initiative which the Union Budget 2026-27 announced.

The new program requires professional organizations such as ICAI and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India to create training programs which will produce accredited paraprofessionals.

These professionals will assist micro small and medium enterprises with their compliance and bookkeeping and financial service needs at reasonable prices.

The trainees will complete their training through organized theoretical and practical instruction and they will receive stipends during their training. The trainees will support compliance efforts in smaller towns.

The proposed changes to PMIS together with their associated professional training programs will extend program outreach while delivering practical training opportunities to additional students. The program will establish certified professionals who will create a support system for MSMEs throughout India.