About the NITI Aayog Internship Scheme
NITI Aayog, the Government of India’s most important policy think tank, offers an internship scheme for students who want to learn about governance and public policy from the inside. The latest guidelines for this internship were released in January 2023. The internship is unpaid but provides real and valuable experience by involving students in research, data analysis, and policy-related work.
Interns are placed in different verticals, divisions, or units within NITI Aayog. They get to see how the Indian government functions and contribute by preparing reports, collecting data, and offering fresh policy ideas. This internship is open all year, depending on the organisation’s requirements.
Who Can Apply
Students from recognised universities and institutions in India or abroad can apply. The eligibility conditions are very specific:
- Undergraduate students who have finished or appeared in the exams at the end of the second year (or fourth semester). They must have scored at least 85% marks in Class 12.
- Postgraduate students who have completed or appeared in the exams at the end of the first year (or second semester) of their programme, or are pursuing research or PhD. They must have scored at least 70% marks in graduation.
- Students who have just completed graduation or post-graduation and are waiting to take admission for higher studies can also apply. They must have scored at least 70% marks overall. Also, the gap between the month of result declaration and the start of the internship should not be more than six months.
Duration of the Internship
The internship must last for at least six weeks and can go up to six months. Students who do not complete the full period will not receive a completion certificate.
Application Process
The application process is completely online. Applications can be submitted only between the 1st and 10th of every month through the link that NITI Aayog will provide on its website. You can apply up to six months in advance but not later than two months before your desired internship month.
For example, if you wish to start your internship in April, you can apply anytime from the previous October until February.
Students must clearly mention their area of interest in the application. A student can apply for this internship only once during a financial year. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will be automatically rejected by the system.
Selected students must show original mark sheets and get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their college or institution when they join. The NOC must confirm that the student is not registered in any course that requires them to attend classes during the internship period.
You can apply directly here: Apply for the NITI Aayog Internship
Selection Process
Each division or vertical of NITI Aayog can select up to three interns at a time. This number can go higher only with special permission from the CEO of NITI Aayog. The final decision on the selection of interns rests with the adviser of the concerned division and cannot be challenged.
After the selection, students might be asked to send a soft copy of their NOC in advance. When joining, students must bring the original NOC and mark sheets. If any mismatch or issue is found, the candidate’s selection will be cancelled.
NITI Aayog will post the list of selected interns on its website.
Areas You Can Work In
Interns can choose to work in one of these domains:
Agriculture, Data Management and Analysis, Economics, Education/Human Resources Development, Energy, Foreign Trade/Commerce, Governance, Health, Nutrition, Women and Child Development, Industry, Infrastructure, Mass Communication and Social Media, Mining, Natural Resources, Environment and Forests, Project Appraisal and Management, Programme Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Finance and Budget, Public-Private Partnership, Rural Development and SDGs, Science and Technology, Skill Development and Employment, Social Justice and Empowerment, Sports and Youth Development, Tourism and Culture, Urbanisation and Smart Cities, Water Resources, and LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
What You Need to Remember
- Interns must bring their own laptops. NITI Aayog will provide workspace, internet, and other basic facilities.
- At the end of the internship, students must submit a short report or paper about what they learned.
- Interns must have at least 75% attendance during the internship. Attendance must be marked daily. Without enough attendance, interns will not get a certificate and cannot extend their internship period.
- The adviser of the division will give an official experience certificate in a standard format confirming the work and conduct of the intern.
Important Rules
- The conduct of interns and access to data is the responsibility of the heads of divisions.
- The NITI Aayog can change or review the internship scheme at any time.
- The CEO of NITI Aayog can relax any rule in special cases if a candidate truly deserves it.
Final Thoughts
Though this internship does not pay a stipend, it is a valuable chance to see how India’s most important policy decisions are made. It is perfect for students who are serious about a career in law, public policy, governance, or research. The experience and exposure you get here could shape your future career in a meaningful way.
If you are eligible and interested, keep your documents ready and apply on time. It could be your chance to be part of India’s premier policy-making institution.
