Are you looking to gain practical experience with India’s premier human rights body? The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is now accepting applications for its prestigious Winter Internship Programme 2026.
This four-week offline programme provides selected students with an inside look at how human rights are safeguarded in India. Selected candidates will also receive a stipend, travel allowances, and exposure to premier legal and administrative institutions.
What Is the NHRC Winter Internship?
The NHRC is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Under Section 12(h) of the Act, the Commission is tasked with spreading human rights literacy and awareness. The NHRC has conducted student internship programmes regularly for more than two decades.
The Winter Internship Programme 2026 runs from December 14, 2026, to January 8, 2027. It takes place offline at Manav Adhikar Bhavan in New Delhi. Interns will attend around 55 to 60 dedicated classroom sessions, interact with senior commission officials, conduct research projects, review books, and participate in discussions on pressing social issues.
The programme also includes planned institutional field visits to police stations, prisons, non-governmental organisations, Parliament, the Supreme Court of India, and various national commissions. Attendance is strictly compulsory, and the Commission will not entertain leave requests during the programme.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The Commission has reserved up to 100 seats for students enrolled in regular courses at UGC-recognised universities:
- Law Students (3-Year LL.B.): Students who have finished their first year and are currently in their second or third year.
- Law Students (5-Year Integrated Course): Students who have completed their first three years (or Semester VI) and are studying in their fourth or fifth year.
- Postgraduate Law: Students currently pursuing an LL.M. degree.
- Human Rights Students: Candidates pursuing a Master of Arts or PG Diploma in Human Rights.
- Social Science Postgraduates: Students enrolled in PG courses in disciplines such as Political Science, Sociology, Criminology, Social Work, Public Administration, Rural Development, History, Economics, Commerce, Anthropology, Mass Communication, or International Relations (preference is given to final-year students).
Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in Class XII and in every individual semester of their degree up to the sixth semester. The maximum age limit is 28 years as of October 1, 2026. Students who have previously completed a regular one-month NHRC summer or winter internship are not eligible. Reservation rules apply as per Government of India guidelines for SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates.
Stipend, Travel Allowance, and Perks
Selected interns receive significant support during their time in the national capital:
- Stipend: Interns who successfully finish the programme will receive a stipend of Rs. 12,000.
- Travel Fare: Candidates travelling from outside Delhi will be reimbursed for AC 3-tier sleeper train fare via the shortest route between their place of study and New Delhi.
- Daily Refreshments: The Commission provides an internship kit, temporary ID card, library access, daily snacks, tea twice a day, and working-day lunches (including packed meals during field visits).
Please note that interns must arrange their own accommodation and daily local commute within Delhi.
Selection Process and Evaluation
Selection is entirely merit-based and calculated out of a total score of 100 marks:
- Class 10 Marks: 30 marks
- Graduation Marks: 40 marks
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): 30 marks
As part of the online application, candidates must submit a 250-word Statement of Purpose titled “Reason for joining as an Intern in NHRC”. Evaluators give preference to candidates who display strong research aptitude in human rights.
The programme also rewards performance. Group research projects carry cash prizes of Rs. 15,000 for first place, Rs. 10,000 for second place, and Rs. 5,000 for third place. Top performers in book reviews and declamation events also receive book awards.
How to Apply Before the Deadline
The deadline to submit online applications is October 15, 2026 (6:00 PM IST). Follow these steps to complete your submission:
- Visit the official application portal via the NHRC notification link.
- Register and verify your contact details using OTP.
- Fill in personal details and academic scores starting from Class X.
- Upload academic marksheets, a formal recommendation letter from your institution, and your photograph.
- Enter your 250-word Statement of Purpose and submit the form.
Make sure to note down your generated application number for tracking results.
Why This Internship Matters for Your Legal Career
Securing an internship at a statutory national body gives your legal CV an immediate boost. Working with NHRC gives you practical exposure to human rights enforcement, institutional oversight, and public interest litigation pathways that standard law firm internships cannot offer. You also build a peer network across multiple disciplines from across India.
If you meet the criteria, apply well before the deadline to ensure your application is submitted smoothly without last-minute portal issues.
Story reported by Lawctopus. This article is BareLaw’s independent explanation and analysis.
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