Internships have experienced significant growth over the past decade. The rising number of internship opportunities and the millions of students applying for them year-on-year makes it evident that internships have gone mainstream and are now an essential part of a student’s career journey. Recognising the continually rising internship needs of Indian students, Internshala has brought out this Annual Internship Trends report. This report sheds light on the key internship trends of 2024, their implications for Indian youth, and what students anticipate from internships in 2025.
135% growth in internships in the past 5 years since 2020
Internship opportunities for Indian students saw a 25% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. This additionally marks an impressive 135% growth in the past 5 years since 2020, bringing attention to the growing focus on practical education and experiential learning among both the industry as well as the internship seeking youth of India. With organisations prioritising skill-based hiring, internships have become a strategic tool to source and develop future talent. The consistent rise in internships highlights their increasing importance in bridging the gap between academia and industry. As companies recognise the value of internships in talent acquisition and skill development, 2025 is expected to witness further growth, potentially exceeding the 25% mark seen this year.
Management, engineering, education, media, and design among the top fields for internship opportunities
In 2024, the field of management dominated the internship space, accounting for 42% of all positions. These internships encompassed roles in marketing, sales, finance, digital marketing, operations, and human resource management. Engineering followed with 20% of opportunities, offering roles in software development, web development, product management, and various engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. Media-related internships represented 13% of the total, covering journalism, public relations, creative writing, videography, and so on. Education and design each held a 4% share, with roles in teaching, subject matter expertise, online tutoring, graphic design, UI/UX design, and animation.
The diversity in the internship profiles reflects the multifaceted nature of today’s job market, catering to a broad range of student interests and career aspirations. The demand for digital skills and tech-enabled roles is also influencing the hiring patterns. Moving into 2025, these fields are likely to remain dominant, with potential growth in emerging areas like artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, green technologies, and blockchain development.
Average stipend offered in 2024 was INR 8,000 per month
The financial aspects of internships saw a notable range in 2024. The highest stipend offered was an impressive ₹1,00,000 per month, while the average monthly stipend stood at ₹8,000. This disparity highlights the varied nature of internships, influenced by the complexity of roles, company size, and industry sectors. Such lucrative stipends are leveraged by employers to attract top talent, setting a precedent for competitive pay in 2025. Employers are increasingly using stipends as a tool to secure high-caliber interns in the competitive market.
Employers looked for these skills while hiring interns
English Proficiency (Spoken and Written) required in 15% internships, MS-Excel required in 4% internships, Social Media Marketing required in 4% internships, Digital Marketing required in 4% internships, Effective Communication required in 3% internships, Creative Writing required in 3% internships, Adobe Photoshop required in 2% internships, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) required in 2% internships, MS-Office required in 2% internships, Email Marketing required in 2% internships among the top 10 skills mentioned in required skills of the internship opportunities in 2024, from a gamut of 500+ skills.
Field-wise, top skills asked for internship opportunities in the field of management included MS-Excel, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), MS-Office, Email Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Sales, Search Engine Marketing, and Content Marketing.
Top skills asked for in the field of engineering included JavaScript, HTML, CSS, ReactJS, Node.js, REST API, MySQL, PHP, AutoCAD, Java, MongoDB, Machine Learning, Android, Flutter, and C++ Programming.
Top skills asked for in the field of media included Creative Writing, Editing, Blogging, Copywriting, and Animation.
Top skills asked for in the field of design included Adobe Photoshop, Video Editing, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro, Canva, Video Making, Adobe After Effects, UI & UX Design, CorelDRAW, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Adobe Indesign, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC.
66% employers were open to hiring women returning to work as interns
An encouraging trend in 2024 was the significant focus on inclusivity, with 66% of employers opting the option of hiring women looking to restart their careers for the internship opportunities. This reflects a broader societal and corporate effort to enhance gender diversity and leverage untapped talent pools. Companies are increasingly investing in returnship programs and offering tailored support such as flexible hours and mentorship for women. As this trend gains momentum, 2025 could see a rise in dedicated programs and policies aimed at supporting women professionals, including partnerships with women’s networks and communities.
22% internships came with a pre-placement offer
Internships are increasingly becoming a pathway to full-time employment. In 2024, 22% of internships included pre-placement offers (PPOs) contingent on intern performance. This highlights the dual benefit of internships – they provide students with hands-on experience while also enabling employers to identify and nurture early talent for future full-time roles at their organisation. The prevalence of PPOs is likely to increase in 2025 as organisations seek to optimise their talent pipelines and reduce onboarding time for new employees.
49% internship opportunities were work-from-home opportunities
The distribution of in-office and remote internships was nearly balanced in 2024, with 51% being in-office and 49% work-from-home opportunities. This balance highlights the adaptability of employers in accommodating diverse preferences and circumstances. The continuation of hybrid work models in 2025 is expected, providing flexibility for both employers and interns. This adaptability could also result in a rise in international remote internships, giving students access to global opportunities.
Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Jaipur, Kolkata among top cities where employers are hiring interns
Internship opportunities in 2024 were concentrated in major urban centers, with Delhi-NCR leading at 31%, followed by Mumbai at 17%, Bangalore at 11%, and Pune at 5%. Other notable cities included Hyderabad at 4%, Chennai at 3%, Jaipur at 3%, and Kolkata at 2%, with 24% of opportunities spread across other Indian cities. This data highlights the dominance of metro cities as hubs for internships, driven by their dense corporate presence. However, the growing digitisation and adoption of remote work have started decentralizing opportunities with 49% virtual opportunities from across India and abroad. In 2025, tier-2 and tier-3 cities might witness growth in internship opportunities as companies expand their reach and tap into new talent pools.
Internship duration ranged from 1 week to 6 months
The duration of internships varied widely in 2024, ranging from 1 week to 6 months, with an average duration of 3.7 months. This flexibility allows students to align internships with academic schedules while gaining substantial work experience. Some of the in-office opportunities also allow for hybrid models or part-time work based on students’ availability and college schedules.
Perks and Benefits
Employers offered a range of perks to attract interns in 2024. Internship certifications (31%) and letters of recommendation (25%) were the most common benefits, followed by flexible working hours (19%), a five-day work week (12%), informal dress codes (9%), and free snacks and beverages (4%). These perks reflect the competitive nature of the internship market, where employers strive to enhance the overall experience. Additionally, some forward-thinking companies are introducing mental health support and access to online learning resources as part of their internship offerings. In 2025, additional benefits like wellness programs, mentorship opportunities, and career coaching could gain prominence, further enriching the internship experience.
Fresh graduates and final year students were recruiters’ top choice candidates
Fresh graduates constituted 30% of shortlisted candidates in 2024, followed by third-year students at 21%, fourth-year students at 19%, and second-year students at 17%. This distribution indicates a balanced interest across different academic stages, with fresh graduates leading the way.
Educational backgrounds of students being shortlisted for internships
A significant proportion of 33% interns were pursuing B.Tech degrees, followed by 11% interns pursuing MBA, 8% pursuing B.Com, 6% pursuing BE, 5% pursuing B.Sc, %% pursuing BCA, and 4% pursuing a BA. The remaining 28% were enrolled in over 100 other degree programs. This diversity reflects the inclusivity of internships, catering to varied academic backgrounds and disciplines. One key thing to notice is the increasing interest of students from not just professional programmes like B.Tech, MBA, and BCA, but also from degree programmes like B.Com, B.A., and B.Sc. Companies are increasingly valuing interdisciplinary skills, and for 2025, we anticipate growing representation from all degree programmes.
Conclusion
The trends observed in 2024 paint a promising picture for the internship ecosystem in India. With consistent growth, increased inclusivity, and enhanced opportunities across diverse fields, internships are solidifying their role as a crucial bridge to professional success. As we look to 2025, we anticipate further innovation in internship structures, greater emphasis on inclusivity, and expansion into emerging industries. The focus on holistic intern experiences, including competitive stipends, comprehensive perks, and structured learning paths, will likely define the next phase of growth in this dynamic space.
