India has recorded a 25 per cent growth in internship opportunities compared to the previous year, as per the Annual Internship Trends report for 2024 released by Internshala, a career platform.
As per the data compiled by the company, internship opportunities for Indian students saw a 25 per cent increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. This additionally marks a 135 per cent growth in the past five years since 2020. Management (42 per cent), Engineering (20 per cent), Media (13 per cent), Education (4 per cent), Design (4 per cent), and others (16 per cent) were among the top fields for internship opportunities.
In 2024, the field of management dominated the internship space, accounting for 42 per cent of all positions. These internships encompassed roles in marketing, sales, finance, digital marketing, operations, and human resource management. Engineering followed with 20 per cent 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 per cent of the total, covering journalism, public relations, creative writing, videography, and so on. Education and design each held a 4 per cent share, with roles in teaching, subject matter expertise, online tutoring, graphic design, UI/UX design, and animation.
Even in 2025, these fields are likely to remain dominant, with potential growth in emerging areas like artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, green technologies, and blockchain development.
Interestingly, this year, inclusivity emerged as a major theme in 2024, with 66 per cent of employers open to hiring women returning to work. Additionally, the adaptability of employers was evident, with 49 per cent of internship opportunities offered as work-from-home roles, balancing the hybrid model preferred by many students and employers alike.
Internships were geographically concentrated in urban hubs, with Delhi-NCR leading at 31 per cent, followed by Mumbai at 17 per cent and Bangalore at 11 per cent. However, the increasing prevalence of remote internships has begun decentralising opportunities, enabling students from tier-2 and tier-3 cities to access high-quality roles.
Average stipend
Average stipend offered in 2024 was Rs 8,000 per month. The financial aspects of internships saw a notable range in 2024. The highest stipend offered was an impressive Rs 1 lakh per month, while the average monthly stipend stood at Rs 8,000.
Moreover, 22 per cent of internships came with pre-placement offers (PPOs), emphasising internships’ role as a pathway to full-time employment.
Employers looked for these skills while hiring interns
English proficiency (spoken and written) required in 15 per cent internships, MS-Excel required in 4 per cent internships, Social Media Marketing required in 4 per cent internships, Digital Marketing required in 4 per cent internships, Effective Communication required in 3 per cent internships, Creative Writing required in 3 per cent internships, Adobe Photoshop required in 2 per cent internships, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) required in 2 per cent internships, MS-Office required in 2 per cent internships, Email Marketing required in 2 per cent 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.
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.
The duration of internships varied widely in 2024, ranging from one 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.
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