New Delhi: Internshala's Annual Internship Trends Report 2024 highlights a 25% increase in internship opportunities compared to last year, marking a 135% growth over the past five years.

The report underscores the growing importance of internships as a bridge between academia and industry, offering students valuable real-world experience and preparing them for professional success.

Management internships led the trends, comprising 42% of all opportunities, with roles in marketing, finance, sales, and HR. Engineering internships accounted for 20%, spanning software development, product management, and various engineering fields. Media-related internships followed at 13%, while education and design sectors each contributed 4%.

The report also emphasizes a shift toward skill-based hiring, with internships becoming a key strategy for companies to scout future talent. The average stipend for internships was ₹8,000 per month, with top offers reaching ₹1,00,000.

Additionally, 22% of internships offered pre-placement offers (PPOs), highlighting their potential as pathways to full-time employment.

Inclusivity and remote work were significant themes, with 66% of employers open to hiring women returning to work, and 49% offering remote internship options. Skills like MS Excel, social media marketing, JavaScript, and AutoCAD were highly sought after.

Geographically, Delhi-NCR dominated internship opportunities, but the rise of remote roles is enabling wider access for students in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Internshala's Founder, Sarvesh Agrawal, expressed optimism for 2025, anticipating internships to become more inclusive and skill-focused, solidifying their position as a cornerstone of India's career ecosystem.