If you have scrolled through Instagram or Facebook lately, you have probably seen this reel. Someone says “if you have a PAN card, the government will give you ₹5,000”, and in a few versions the number jumps to ₹9,000. We got a lot of messages asking how to claim this money.
So here is the straight answer: nobody gets money just for having a PAN card. These reels are talking about the PM Internship Scheme, but they leave out the most important part. In this post we explain what the scheme actually is, who can apply, and how much you really get. There is also a quick checker below that tells you in 1 minute whether you are eligible.
What the Reels Say vs What Is True
| Claim in the reel | The reality |
|---|---|
| Have a PAN card, get ₹5,000 | A PAN card gets you nothing. The money is a stipend you earn by doing an internship |
| ₹9,000 every month, sitting at home | You get ₹9,000 a month only after you join an internship at a company and work there |
| Anyone can get it | Only people aged 18 to 25 who meet all the eligibility rules |
| Fill the form on this link, pay a small fee | Applying is completely free and happens only on pminternship.mca.gov.in |
The ₹5,000 figure is also outdated. When the scheme started in 2024, the stipend was ₹5,000 a month. In March 2026 it was raised to ₹9,000. That is why some reels say 5,000 and others say 9,000.
PM Internship Eligibility Checker: Check Now
Are You Eligible for the PM Internship Scheme?
Answer 8 quick questions and find out in 1 minute whether you can apply.
The checker only gives you an estimate. After you apply, the company makes the final selection, so being eligible does not guarantee you an internship.
What Is the PM Internship Scheme?
It is a central government scheme run by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). It started in October 2024. The idea is simple: young people spend a few months working at a big Indian company, pick up real work experience, and get paid a monthly stipend while they learn.
The government’s target is 1 crore internships over 5 years across India’s top 500 companies. Right now the scheme is still in its pilot phase.
What Changed in 2026
In March 2026 the government revised the rules. The age range was widened and the stipend went up, so that more young people could join.
| Rule | Before (2024-25) | Now (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Age limit | 21 to 24 years | 18 to 25 years |
| Monthly stipend | ₹5,000 | ₹9,000 |
| Government’s share | ₹4,500 | ₹8,100 |
| Company’s share | ₹500 | ₹900 |
| Duration | 12 months | 6 to 9 months (decided by the company) |
| Final-year students | Could not apply | Can apply with a college NOC |
| Application rounds | Fixed rounds | Rolling, open through the year |
What You Get
- ₹9,000 stipend every month: ₹8,100 comes from the government by DBT straight into your bank account, and ₹900 comes from the company.
- One-time grant: reports say interns also get a one-time grant of ₹6,000 on joining. Confirm this on the portal, since the 2026 rules have not been fully published on every site.
- Insurance: cover under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana during the internship.
- Real work experience: a certificate from a well-known company, which helps a lot when you look for a job later.
Who Can Apply
- Age between 18 and 25 years on the day you apply.
- Indian citizen.
- Passed at least Class 10. Class 12, ITI, polytechnic diploma and graduates (BA, BSc, BCom, BCA, BBA, BPharm, BTech) can also apply.
- Post graduates (MA, MSc, MCom, MCA) are reported to be included under the 2026 rules, but some sources disagree. If you are a post graduate, check your degree on the portal.
- Not working in a full-time job.
- Not studying full-time in a regular course. Online and distance learners can apply, and final-year students can apply with a NOC from their college.
- Family income below the limit. Reports from 2026 put this limit at ₹12 lakh a year, while the earlier rule was ₹8 lakh. Check the current limit on the portal before applying.
Who Cannot Apply
| Not eligible | Why |
|---|---|
| A family member has a permanent government job | If a parent or spouse is a permanent government employee, you are out. Contract jobs do not count |
| Graduates of IIT, IIM, IISER, IIIT, IISc, NLU or NID | These institutes are excluded from the scheme |
| Holders of MBA, MBBS, BDS, CA, CS, CMA, PhD or MPhil | The scheme is not meant for professional degree holders |
| Already used NATS, NAPS or another government training scheme | The same kind of benefit is not given twice |
| Family income above the limit | The income condition is not met |
| Working full-time | The scheme is for young people who are not employed |
Documents You Need
Keep these ready. The form takes about 15 minutes if everything is in hand.
- Aadhaar card
- Active mobile number linked to Aadhaar (OTP comes here)
- Class 10, Class 12, ITI, diploma or degree marksheets and certificates, in PDF
- A bank account in your own name, linked to Aadhaar
- Passport size photo
- Income certificate, or a self-declaration if asked
- NOC from your college (only for final-year students)
Notice that a PAN card is not what gets you paid. Your identity is mainly verified through Aadhaar.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Open the official website pminternship.mca.gov.in. Do not use any other link.
- Click “Register” and sign up with the OTP sent to your mobile number.
- Complete e-KYC with Aadhaar OTP or DigiLocker.
- Fill in your profile: education, address, bank details, and upload your certificates as PDF.
- Browse internships by district, state or type of work and apply. You can only have a limited number of active applications at a time, so choose carefully.
- Companies review profiles and send offers. When you get one, accept it within the time given.
- Join the company on the date in your offer letter. Your monthly stipend starts after that.
For help, call the official helpline at 1800-116-090.
How to Stay Safe from PAN Card Reels
These reels do two kinds of damage. First, people get false hopes. Second, and worse, scammers put their own links in these reels and ask for Aadhaar, PAN, bank details and OTP in the name of a form.
In July 2026, PIB Fact Check called out a fake internship Google Form doing the rounds on social media, and asked people not to share personal details through such forms.
- Apply only on pminternship.mca.gov.in.
- There is no application fee. If someone asks for money, it is a scam.
- Never share your OTP, bank password or ATM PIN with anyone.
- Do not trust “internship links” that arrive on WhatsApp or Telegram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get ₹5,000 or ₹9,000 just for having a PAN card?
No. A PAN card does not get you any money. ₹9,000 a month is the PM Internship stipend, and you get it only after you join an internship at a company.
Can Class 12 pass students apply?
Yes. The minimum is Class 10 pass. Class 12, ITI and diploma holders can apply too, as long as they are 18 to 25 and meet the other conditions.
Can I apply while I am still in college?
If you are in your final year, yes, with a NOC from your college. Online and distance learners can also apply. Students in the 1st or 2nd year of a regular course cannot apply yet.
What is the last date to apply?
The scheme now runs in rolling rounds through the year. Companies keep adding new internships, so check the portal regularly. Good internships fill up fast.
Will I get a permanent job after the internship?
No, it is only an internship, not a job guarantee. But experience and a certificate from a big company make it much easier to find a job afterwards.
Is there any fee to apply?
No, applying is completely free. Anyone asking for money is running a scam.
Final Word
The PM Internship Scheme is genuinely useful, but it needs to be understood properly. It is not free money for sitting at home. It is a stipend you earn while learning on the job. If you are between 18 and 25 and not working right now, run your details through the checker above once.
And the next time a reel says “PAN card hai toh paise milenge”, send them this post.
This information is based on news reports and scheme updates available up to October 2026. Rules can change, so check the latest details on pminternship.mca.gov.in before you apply.