The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has announced the Online Short-Term Internship Programme (OSTI) for September 2026. The two-week online internship will be held from 14 to 25 September 2026, and eligible students can submit their applications until 19 August 2026 at 6:00 PM.
The NHRC Online Short Term Internship 2026 is open to eligible undergraduate, postgraduate, integrated-course and research students across India. The programme is conducted online as a full-time internship from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
During the internship, selected students take part in sessions on human rights issues, interactions with NHRC members and experts, group project work, book reviews, human rights films and virtual field visits. Students who successfully complete the programme receive a ₹2,000 stipend, while the certificate is awarded according to NHRC’s attendance, participation and submission requirements.
Applications for the September 2026 batch must meet the prescribed academic, age and document requirements. Students who have previously attended any internship programme organised by NHRC are not eligible to apply again.
NHRC OSTI September 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | NHRC Online Short-Term Internship Programme (OSTI) |
| Organisation | National Human Rights Commission, India |
| Current Batch | September 2026 |
| Internship Dates | 14 to 25 September 2026 |
| Duration | 2 weeks |
| Mode | Online |
| Working Hours | 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday |
| Application Last Date | 19 August 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Age Limit | Maximum 28 years as on 1 August 2026 |
| Minimum Marks | 60% in Class XII and the first four semesters of graduation/five-year integrated course |
| Statement of Purpose | 250 words |
| Stipend | ₹2,000 on successful completion |
| Previous NHRC Interns | Not eligible to apply again |
Read Also: NHRC Summer Internship 2026
NHRC OSTI September 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 19 August 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Internship Start Date | 14 September 2026 |
| Internship End Date | 25 September 2026 |
| Programme Duration | 2 weeks |
Candidates should apply only for the September 2026 NHRC OSTI using the current notification and deadline. Dates from earlier February, March or August 2026 batches should not be used for this application cycle.
Who Can Apply for NHRC OSTI 2026?
The NHRC Online Short Term Internship September 2026 is open to students from different academic streams, provided they fall within the course and year requirements specified by NHRC.
- Students in the 3rd year or above of any integrated five-year postgraduate course.
- Students in the 3rd or final year of a graduation course.
- Students in any semester or year of a postgraduate degree.
- Students pursuing a three-year LL.B. programme.
- Students in any semester or year of a postgraduate diploma course.
- Research scholars from any stream.
The programme is therefore not restricted to law or human rights students. Applicants from other disciplines can also apply if they meet the applicable course, academic and age requirements.
Minimum Marks Required
Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in Class XII and 60% in the first four semesters of their graduation course or five-year integrated course.
If an institution awards marks in CGPA or SGPA, the applicant must clearly mention the equivalent percentage along with the formula used for conversion. NHRC states that failure to provide either the calculated percentage or the conversion formula can result in rejection of the application.
NHRC Internship Age Limit
The maximum age limit for the NHRC OSTI September 2026 is 28 years as on 1 August 2026. Applicants older than 28 years on this date are not eligible for the current batch.
Can Previous NHRC Interns Apply Again?
No. Students who have already attended any internship programme organised by NHRC are not eligible to apply for the September 2026 OSTI.
Read Also: NHRC Winter Internship 2026
Who Can Apply for NHRC OSTI 2026?
The NHRC Online Short Term Internship September 2026 is open to students from different academic streams, provided they fall within the course and year requirements specified by NHRC.
- Students in the 3rd year or above of any integrated five-year postgraduate course.
- Students in the 3rd or final year of a graduation course.
- Students in any semester or year of a postgraduate degree.
- Students pursuing a three-year LL.B. programme.
- Students in any semester or year of a postgraduate diploma course.
- Research scholars from any stream.
The programme is therefore not restricted to law or human rights students. Applicants from other disciplines can also apply if they meet the applicable course, academic and age requirements.
Minimum Marks Required
Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in Class XII and 60% in the first four semesters of their graduation course or five-year integrated course.
If an institution awards marks in CGPA or SGPA, the applicant must clearly mention the equivalent percentage along with the formula used for conversion. NHRC states that failure to provide either the calculated percentage or the conversion formula can result in rejection of the application.
NHRC Internship Age Limit
The maximum age limit for the NHRC OSTI September 2026 is 28 years as on 1 August 2026. Applicants older than 28 years on this date are not eligible for the current batch.
Can Previous NHRC Interns Apply Again?
No. Students who have already attended any internship programme organised by NHRC are not eligible to apply for the September 2026 OSTI.
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Documents Required for NHRC OSTI 2026
Applicants for the NHRC Online Short Term Internship September 2026 must submit the prescribed academic documents along with the Statement of Purpose and Letter of Recommendation. Missing any of the mandatory documents can lead to rejection.
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class X Marksheet | Attested copy |
| Class XII Marksheet | Attested copy |
| Graduation / Integrated Course Marksheets | Attested copies of the first four semesters |
| Statement of Purpose | Approximately 250 words explaining the purpose of joining the NHRC Online Short Term Internship |
| Letter of Recommendation | Must be submitted in the prescribed Annex-I format from the Principal, HOD or Dean of the applicant’s institution |
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
The Letter of Recommendation (LOR) must follow the format prescribed by NHRC in Annex-I. It should carry the name, signature, date and rubber stamp or official seal of the Principal, Head of Department or Dean of the institution where the applicant is studying.
NHRC also permits the recommendation to be submitted in the prescribed format through the concerned Principal, HOD or Dean. Applicants should use the official Annex-I format rather than submitting a general recommendation letter.
NHRC Internship Statement of Purpose
Applicants must submit a Statement of Purpose of around 250 words on their reason for joining the NHRC Online Short Term Internship. The SOP is not only a document requirement; NHRC states that it will also serve as a basis for selection.
What to Include in the NHRC SOP
NHRC gives preference to applicants who demonstrate research potential in areas related to human rights. Where relevant, students can strengthen their SOP by referring to:
- Academic or research interest in human rights issues
- Relevant research projects or academic work
- Moot court participation
- Relevant internships or practical exposure
- Co-curricular activities connected with the subject
The SOP should remain focused on why the applicant wants to join NHRC and how their academic, research or practical exposure relates to the internship.
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NHRC OSTI Programme Structure
The NHRC Online Short Term Internship September 2026 is designed as a full-time online programme with around 30 to 35 sessions on different human rights issues.
The programme combines expert interactions with project-based and activity-based learning. The official September notification lists the following components:
| Programme Component | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Expert Sessions | Interactions with the NHRC Chairperson and Members, domain experts and senior Government of India officials. |
| Group Project | Group project work based on human rights issues. |
| Book Review | Interns take part in a book review activity during the programme. |
| Human Rights Films | Films on subjects such as child labour, bonded labour, anti-trafficking, health, mental health and education. |
| Virtual Field Visits | Online exposure to institutions such as a jail, police station and NGO or shelter home. |
What Happens During Virtual Field Visits?
Virtual field visits are intended to help interns understand how selected institutions function in practice. NHRC states that interns may virtually visit a jail, police station and NGO or shelter home, observe their working and raise relevant questions during the interaction.
Working Hours and Attendance
The September 2026 OSTI is a full-time internship from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Applicants should ensure that they can remain available during these hours before submitting the application.
Attendance is compulsory. NHRC requires interns to attend all sessions, and applications for leave will not be entertained during the internship period.
Can Students Attend College Alongside the NHRC Internship?
Students should apply only if they can remain available for the full internship schedule. Since the programme runs from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays and attendance at all sessions is mandatory, applicants should check for clashes with regular classes, examinations or other academic commitments before applying.
Read Also: NITI Aayog Internship 2026
NHRC OSTI Selection Process
NHRC shortlists applicants after checking their eligibility, academic records, required documents and Statement of Purpose (SOP). The SOP is an important part of the selection process and should clearly explain the applicant’s purpose for joining the internship.
NHRC gives preference to students who demonstrate research potential in areas related to human rights. Applicants may strengthen their application by mentioning relevant research projects, moot courts, internships and co-curricular activities in the SOP.
What Does NHRC Check During Selection?
- Whether the applicant meets the prescribed course and year eligibility
- Minimum academic marks required for the programme
- Submission of the required attested marksheets
- Submission of the prescribed Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose and demonstrated interest or research potential in human rights
- Accuracy of marks, CGPA, SGPA and percentage details entered in the application
Applicants who have already attended any internship programme organised by NHRC are not eligible for selection again.
How Will Selected Candidates Be Announced?
NHRC states that the final list of selected interns will be displayed on the official NHRC website. Applicants should therefore check the NHRC website for the selection result rather than relying only on unofficial updates.
NHRC Internship Stipend
Students who successfully complete the NHRC Online Short Term Internship will receive a stipend of ₹2,000.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Stipend | ₹2,000 |
| Stipend Eligibility | Available to student interns who successfully complete the programme |
| Certificate | Certificate of participation, subject to NHRC’s prescribed participation and submission criteria |
Certificate Requirements
The NHRC certificate is awarded based on the intern’s punctuality, discipline and participation in online sessions, along with timely completion of the programme assignments.
- Attend all internship sessions
- Maintain punctuality and discipline
- Participate in online sessions
- Submit the Group Project Presentation on time
- Submit required project reports
- Complete the book review activity within the prescribed timeline
Attendance at all sessions is mandatory, and NHRC states that applications for leave will not be entertained during the internship.
Read Also: IIT Kanpur Summer Internship 2026
How to Apply for NHRC OSTI 2026
Applications for the NHRC Online Short Term Internship September 2026 must be submitted online. Candidates can apply through the NHRC website or the NHRC India Mobile App.
- Open the NHRC internship application: Visit the official NHRC website or use the NHRC India Mobile App and open the application for the September 2026 Online Short Term Internship.
- Fill in the required details: Enter personal, educational and contact information carefully as asked in the application form.
- Enter academic marks correctly: Provide the required marks or percentage details for Class XII and the applicable graduation or integrated-course semesters.
- Add CGPA or SGPA conversion details: If marks are awarded in CGPA or SGPA, mention the equivalent percentage and the formula used to calculate it.
- Upload academic documents: Submit the required attested Class X, Class XII and applicable semester marksheets.
- Upload the Letter of Recommendation: Use the prescribed Annex-I format signed and stamped by the Principal, HOD or Dean.
- Submit the Statement of Purpose: Add the required 250-word SOP explaining your purpose for joining the NHRC Online Short Term Internship.
- Review the application: Recheck academic marks, percentage conversion, documents and other information before submitting the form.
- Submit before the deadline: Complete the application by 19 August 2026 at 6:00 PM.
Applications sent by email or post will not be accepted. Candidates should use only the online application options specified by NHRC.
Important Application Instructions
- Do not use prefixes such as Mr., Mrs. or Ms. while entering your name in the application form.
- Use the prescribed Annex-I Letter of Recommendation format.
- Check that all required academic documents are properly attested before submission.
- If marks are in CGPA or SGPA, provide both the equivalent percentage and conversion formula.
- Make sure the academic marks entered in the form match the submitted marksheets.
- Do not submit the application by post or email.
- Submit the complete application before 6:00 PM on 19 August 2026.
Reasons an NHRC OSTI Application May Be Rejected
NHRC can reject applications that do not meet the prescribed eligibility or documentation requirements. Candidates should particularly check the following points before submitting the form:
- Required attested academic marksheets are not submitted.
- The 250-word Statement of Purpose is missing.
- The prescribed Letter of Recommendation is missing or incomplete.
- The application form is incomplete.
- The application is submitted after the deadline.
- The application is sent by email or post instead of through the approved online mode.
- There is a discrepancy in the marks, CGPA, SGPA or percentage information provided by the applicant.
Applicants should take particular care while entering academic scores. NHRC states that a discrepancy in marks, CGPA or percentage can lead to rejection of the application and may also result in the candidate being barred from future NHRC programmes.
Upcoming NHRC Online Internship Batches
The September 2026 NHRC OSTI is not the final online internship batch in the current annual calendar. NHRC has scheduled additional Online Short-Term Internship programmes for November 2026, February 2027 and March 2027.
| NHRC OSTI Batch | Scheduled Dates |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | 18 to 29 May 2026 |
| August 2026 | 3 to 14 August 2026 |
| September 2026 | 14 to 25 September 2026 |
| November 2026 | 16 to 27 November 2026 |
| February 2027 | 1 to 12 February 2027 |
| March 2027 | 8 to 19 March 2027 |
NHRC releases a separate advertisement for each internship batch. The application portal is generally opened around one month before the scheduled programme. Students interested in the November 2026 or 2027 batches should therefore wait for the corresponding official notification before applying.
The dates above are part of NHRC’s Annual Internship Calendar 2026–27. Eligibility rules, application deadlines and other batch-specific instructions should be checked again when the separate notification for that cycle is released.
NHRC Internship Contact Details
Applicants can contact the NHRC Training Division for internship-related queries using the following official contact details:
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Internship Email | internships.nhrc@gov.in |
| Internship Helpline | 011-24663371 / 3283 |
| Calling Hours | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday on working days |
| Technical Help | 011-24663294 |
The internship helpline should be used for programme-related queries, while the separate technical number is meant for difficulties related to the online application system.
FAQs
The NHRC Online Short Term Internship 2026 is a virtual internship programme offered by the National Human Rights Commission, India. It helps students understand human rights, constitutional safeguards, NHRC’s role, and practical issues related to the protection and promotion of human rights.
The updated official application guideline page is for OSTI September 2026. Candidates should check the official NHRC internship portal for the active application schedule and batch-specific instructions
Students pursuing Graduation, LLB, Master’s programmes, integrated law courses such as BA LLB, BBA LLB and B.Com LLB, or relevant human rights-related fields can apply, subject to the eligibility conditions mentioned in the official advertisement.
The maximum age limit is 28 years, computed as on 01 August 2026 for the OSTI September 2026 cycle
No. Candidates who have already completed any internship with NHRC are not eligible to apply again.
NHRC OSTI is conducted online. Selected candidates are expected to attend the virtual sessions and follow the schedule and instructions shared by NHRC.
Applicants must keep scanned documents ready, including Class X certificate, Class XII certificate and marksheet, graduation certificate and marksheet if completed, latest marksheet of the current course, current institute ID card, passport-size photograph and a recommendation letter from the Principal, Dean or Head of Department.
Scanned documents must be uploaded in PDF format with a maximum size of 2 MB each. The passport-size photograph must be in JPEG format and should not exceed 70 KB.
Yes. Applicants need to submit a Statement of Purpose of around 250 words explaining their interest in human rights and why they want to join the NHRC internship.
Candidates must apply through the official NHRC internship portal. They need to verify their mobile number and email ID through OTP, fill in personal and academic details, upload required documents, add the SOP and submit the form online.
The guideline page does not mention a separate interview stage. Shortlisting is based on the application, eligibility, documents, academic details, SOP and NHRC’s review process.
NHRC has offered stipends in earlier OSTI batches. For OSTI September 2026, candidates should verify the exact stipend amount and payment conditions from the active official advertisement or selection communication.
Interns who successfully complete the internship and meet NHRC’s attendance, participation, assignment and submission requirements are eligible for a certificate.
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