Paid Winter Legal Internship at National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi: Apply by October 15!

National Human Rights Commission invites applications for its paid Winter Internship Programme 2026. Apply by 15 October.

About National Human Rights Commission

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) works to promote and protect human rights and generate public awareness. As part of this mandate, it has conducted Winter Internship Programmes since 1998 and Summer Internship Programmes since 2000, introducing students to human rights issues through training, research, and institutional exposure.

About the Opportunity

NHRC’s Winter Internship Programme (WIP) 2026 invites eligible students from across India for four weeks of human rights learning. Approximately 55–60 sessions are proposed, alongside research projects, book reviews, discussions, interactions with Commission members and senior officers, and field visits.

Duration, Mode and Location

The in-person programme runs from 14 December 2026 to 8 January 2027 at NHRC in New Delhi. Attendance at every session is mandatory, and leave applications will not be entertained.

Number of Positions

Up to 100 students will be admitted. A further 20 students from Delhi/NCR may be waitlisted and called to join no later than the programme’s second day if an intern withdraws.

Stipend and Facilities

• A total stipend of ₹12,000 is payable to selected interns who successfully complete the programme.
• Selected interns from outside Delhi are eligible for AC 3-tier train fare to New Delhi and back to their place of study by the shortest route.
• Interns must arrange and pay for their own accommodation and local transport.
• Library and internet access, a kit/bag, and temporary identity card are provided. Lunch, tea, and snacks are provided on working days, with packed lunches for field visits.

Deadline

Submit the online application by 15 October 2026 at 6:00 PM (18:00 hours).

Eligibility Criteria

• Three-year LL.B.: students who have completed the first year and are pursuing the second or third year.
• Five-year integrated law courses, including BA LL.B. and BBA LL.B.: students who have completed three years or Semester VI and are pursuing the fourth or fifth year.
• Students pursuing an LL.M., PG Diploma in Human Rights, or MA in Human Rights.
• Postgraduate students in Political Science, Sociology, Social Work, Criminology, Public Administration, Rural Development, History, Economics, Commerce, Anthropology, Mass Communication, International Relations, or other social sciences; final-year students receive preference.
• Only regular-course students of UGC-recognised universities are eligible.
• At least 60% marks in Class XII and in each of the first six semesters of graduation/five-year integrated courses, as specified in the notice.
• Applicants must be no older than 28 years on 1 October 2026.

Previous participants in NHRC’s regular one-month Winter/Summer Internship Programmes are ineligible under the notice. The application portal states a broader exclusion for anyone who has previously completed an NHRC internship; such applicants should clarify their eligibility with NHRC.

Selection Process

Selection carries 100 marks: Class XII results (30), graduation results (40), and the 250-word statement of purpose (30). Human rights research potential receives preference. Government reservation guidelines for SC/ST/OBC/PwD categories apply, with efforts to represent States and Union Territories subject to applications and merit.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Attend classroom sessions and interact with NHRC members and senior officers.
• Undertake human rights research and submit group project presentations, reports, and book reviews on time.
• Participate in films and discussions on topics such as child labour, trafficking, elderly persons’ rights, health, and education.
• Join proposed field visits to police stations, prisons, NGOs, courts, commissions, and other human rights institutions.

Certificates and Awards

Participation certificates depend on attendance, punctuality, discipline, session participation, and timely assignments. Group research projects ranked first, second, and third receive ₹15,000, ₹10,000, and ₹5,000 respectively. Specified book review and contest winners may receive books valued up to ₹1,000 each.

Documents Required

• Attested scanned Class X and XII marksheets and each of the first six semester marksheets of graduation/five-year integrated study, as required by the notice.
• A recommendation in the Annex I format from the current institution’s Principal/Dean/HoD, with name, signature, date, and institutional seal. It must relate to the current course and be dated after publication of the advertisement.
• A 250-word write-up on “Reason for joining as Intern in NHRC”, serving as the statement of purpose.
• Self-attested caste/disability certificate, where applicable.
• The portal also requests the current institution’s student ID, last examination marksheet, graduation documents if completed, and a passport photo. Prepare document PDFs of up to 2 MB and a JPEG photo of up to 70 KB.

Contact

Programme enquiries: 011-24663371 or internships.nhrc@gov.in, Monday–Friday, 10 AM–6 PM. Technical assistance: 011-24663294.

Application Procedure

Apply through NHRC’s online portal. Read the guidelines, verify your mobile number and email, enter educational qualifications from Class X onward, and upload the required documents. Enter examination marks as percentages and avoid prefixes such as Mr/Mrs/Ms in the form.

Complete final submission before the deadline and retain the issued application number. Incomplete applications, missing attested documents, and applications sent by email or post will not be accepted. The selected candidates list will be displayed on NHRC’s website. Read the complete notice and recommendation format before applying.