NHRC Summer & Winter Internship 2026: Eligibility, Benefits & Application Process
About the Program
The National Human Rights Commission Summer/Winter Internship is a 4-week in-office program that allows students to gain practical experience in human rights. The NHRC internship 2026 will be conducted in person at the NHRC headquarters in New Delhi. Interns will engage in research projects, attend lectures by subject experts, and participate in institutional visits (such as jails or police stations) to observe how human rights are protected.
Key Highlights
- Summer Internship Application Timeline: Applications open in March-April
- Winter Internship Application Timeline: Applications typically open in October
- Duration: 4 weeks (approximately 25 days)
- Stipend: ₹12,000 awarded upon successful completion + travel allowance
- Number of Interns: Approximately 100 interns
- Location: Manav Adhikar Bhawan, New Delhi
- Application Mode: Online
NHRC Internship Requirements: Who Can Apply?
To apply for the NHRC summer and winter internships, you must meet all of the following criteria and submit attested copies of certain documents:
A. Essential Criteria
- Eligible candidates include students in the 2nd or 3rd year of a 3-year LL.B. program.
- Students who have completed 3 years or Semester VI of a 5-year integrated law course and are continuing in the 4th or 5th year are eligible.
- LL.M. students can also apply.
- Postgraduate students from disciplines such as Human Rights, Political Science, Sociology, Social Work (MSW), Criminology, Public Administration, Rural Development, History, Economics, Commerce, Anthropology, Mass Communication, and International Relations are eligible.
- Preference will be given to final-year postgraduate students from the above disciplines.
- Applicants must be enrolled in regular courses at UGC-recognized universities only.
- A minimum of 60% marks is required in Class XII and in the first six semesters of the degree program.
- The maximum age limit for applicants is 28 years.
B. Documents Required
- Attested copies of Class X, Class XII, and first six semesters’ mark sheets must be submitted.
- A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from the Principal, HOD, or Dean, duly signed, dated, and stamped as per Annexure I.
- Applicants belonging to reserved categories must submit self-attested caste certificates (SC/ST/OBC) or, if applicable, disability certificates (PwD).
Note: Students who have previously attended any NHRC summer or winter internship are not eligible to apply again. Also, incomplete applications without any of the above documents will be rejected.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official NHRC Internship page
- Click on ‘Summer/Winter Internship’
- Register on the portal with your email and mobile number
- Fill out the application form with your personal and academic details.
- Upload scanned copies of the required documents
- Submit a Statement of Purpose of 300 to 500 words on the topic: ‘Reason for Joining as an Intern in NHRC’ in a PDF format.
- Track the status of your application on the NHRC website 2–3 weeks after the deadline.
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Selection Process
The selection for NHRC internship 2026 is purely merit-based and follows a structured 100-point scale:
- Class XII marks: 30 marks
- Graduation marks: 40 marks
- Statement of Purpose: 30 marks
What Happens During the NHRC Internship?
The Summer/Winter Internship Program is a full-time, in-office program. The basic structure of the internship program includes the following:
- Attending around 55 to 60 sessions on various human rights issues
- Classroom-based learning sessions
- Interaction with the NHRC Chairperson, Members, and senior officials
- Research project work on human rights topics
- Book review activities
- Screening and discussion of films on issues like child labor, anti-trafficking, elderly rights, health, and education
- Field visits to police stations, jails, NGOs, Parliament House, and national commissions/legal institutions such as NCW, NCPCR, NGT, and the Supreme Court of India
Competitions and Awards
The NHRC internship program includes the following contests offering cash prizes:
- Group Research Project: Interns work in groups on a human rights research topic. The best projects win cash prizes of ₹15,000, ₹10,000, and ₹ 5,000.
- Declamation Contest: A speech competition on a human rights topic. Top performers win awards worth up to ₹1,000 each.
- Book Review Activity: Includes writing a review of a human rights book. Top 5 interns win a cash prize worth up to ₹1,000 each.
Perks & Benefits Offered
The NHRC Summer/Winter Internship offers many benefits, including:
- Stipend of ₹12,000
- 3rd AC train fare reimbursement (to and fro) from your place of study to Delhi
- Interns will receive a kit/bag and a temporary identity card
- Library and internet facilities will be provided
- Tea and snacks will be served twice a day
- Government-recognized certificate upon successful completion of the internship
FAQs
Answer: The NHRC internship is a structured program run by the National Human Rights Commission of India. It gives law and social science students practical experience in the human rights field. The in-office program runs for four weeks during summer and winter cycles.
Answer: No, interns are responsible for making their own arrangements for boarding and lodging in New Delhi. However, outstation students are eligible for the travel allowance (3rd AC railway fare).
Answer: To be eligible for the 4-week NHRC summer/winter internship, you must be pursuing LLB, LLM, PG Diploma, or Master’s in a relevant field.
Answer: Yes, a recommendation letter from the Principal, Dean, or HoD of your current institution is required for the application to be considered valid.
