Applications are invited for NHRC Summer Internship Programme 2026 offering structured exposure to human rights research institutional processes and policy engagement along with stipend support.
About NHRC
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 to promote and protect human rights through research awareness programmes advisory functions and institutional monitoring mechanisms. The Commission works with public authorities academic institutions and civil society organisations to strengthen access to justice and ensure accountability in governance structures relating to human rights protection.
NHRC has been conducting Summer and Winter Internship Programmes since 1998 and 2000 respectively to familiarise students with the functioning of national level human rights institutions and contemporary issues in rights protection policy and administration.
About the Internship
The NHRC Summer Internship Programme 2026 is a four week academic and research oriented internship scheduled from June 1 to June 25, 2026. The programme is designed to introduce participants to institutional mechanisms of human rights protection and the working structure of NHRC through lectures assignments discussions and research activities.
Selected interns will attend expert lectures participate in group discussions prepare research presentations and undertake project based learning exercises relating to human rights governance constitutional safeguards and policy frameworks. The internship also provides opportunities to interact with officials and understand practical dimensions of institutional human rights work.
Participants are required to complete written assignments and academic tasks during the internship period as part of evaluation.
Mode of Internship
This is an offline internship conducted physically at the NHRC office in New Delhi.
Location
This internship is conducted at the NHRC headquarters in New Delhi.
Internship Duration
The internship will run from June 1, 2026 to June 25, 2026.
Stipend
Interns who successfully complete the internship programme will receive a stipend of ₹12,000.
Travel reimbursement equivalent to 3rd AC railway fare between the place of educational institution and Delhi will also be provided to eligible candidates.
Number of Seats
The programme will select up to 100 interns along with an additional waitlist of 20 candidates from Delhi NCR.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are open to:
- Students pursuing 2nd or 3rd year of a 3 year LL.B. course
- Students pursuing 4th or 5th year of a 5 year integrated law programme
- Students pursuing LL.M. programmes
- Students pursuing PG Diploma in Human Rights
- Postgraduate students in Political Science Sociology Social Work Criminology Public Administration Rural Development History Economics Commerce Anthropology Mass Communication International Relations and related social science disciplines
Applicants must be enrolled in regular courses of UGC recognised universities and must have secured at least 60 percent marks in Class XII and the first six semesters of their degree programme. The applicant should not be more than 28 years of age as on April 1, 2026.
Applicants are also required to submit attested copies of academic mark sheets along with a Letter of Recommendation issued by the Head of Department Dean or Principal of their institution.
Selection Process
Applicants must submit a 300 to 500 word write up explaining their reasons for applying to the internship programme and their interest in human rights work. This write up will be treated as the Statement of Purpose and considered during the evaluation process.
Selection will be based on marks obtained in Class XII graduation level performance and evaluation of the Statement of Purpose submitted by the candidate. Preference may be given to applicants demonstrating research interest in human rights related themes.
Awards and Recognition
Certificates will be issued based on attendance discipline and completion of assigned academic work during the internship programme.
Additional recognitions include monetary awards for group research projects including ₹15,000 for the best group research project ₹10,000 for the second best project and ₹5,000 for the third best project. Book prizes may also be awarded to participants performing well in book review and declamation activities conducted during the internship.
Important Date
The last date to submit the online application for the NHRC Summer Internship Programme 2026 is April 27, 2026.
