NHRC Winter Internship 2025: Dates, Eligibility, Stipend, Application Process

The NHRC Winter Internship Programme (WIP) 2025 is one of the most recognised human rights internships offered to students across India. It is a four week in person programme organised by the National Human Rights Commission to help students learn how human rights are protected, promoted and monitored through real work, expert sessions and field visits.

The upcoming winter batch will be held from 15 December 2025 (Monday) to 9 January 2026 (Friday) at the NHRC office in New Delhi.

This NHRC programme attracts applicants from law, human rights and social science backgrounds. Students attend lectures, interact with NHRC officials, participate in research projects and visit important institutions connected with rights enforcement.

With a limited intake of 80 interns, the selection is competitive and based on academic merit and the quality of the applicant’s write up.

This article gives you a clear look at the key details, eligibility, dates, benefits and selection process for the NHRC Winter Internship 2025, so you can prepare your application confidently.

Overview of NHRC Winter Internship 2025

About NHRC Winter Internship Programme

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory public body set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. It is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights, which covers the right to life, liberty, equality and dignity of every individual as guaranteed by the Constitution and international covenants.

Under Section 12(h) of the Act, NHRC is also mandated to spread human rights literacy and awareness. To support this, the Commission has been running structured Summer and Winter Internship Programmes for students from law and social science backgrounds for many years.

The NHRC Winter Internship Programme (WIP) 2025 is a four week full time internship where selected students learn how human rights issues are handled in practice. Through lectures, group projects, field visits and interactions with NHRC officials, interns see how complaints are examined, how investigations are monitored and how policy level recommendations are made.

For many students, this internship acts as a bridge between classroom theory and real world human rights work, and often becomes a strong talking point in future applications for higher studies, fellowships or public sector roles.

Also read: RBI Summer Internship 2026: Full Details

NHRC Winter Internship 2025 Highlights

Before you start filling the form, it helps to know what makes the NHRC Winter Internship 2025 stand out.

• Four week offline internship held from 15 December 2025 to 9 January 2026 at the NHRC office in New Delhi.
• Limited intake of 80 students from across India, with an additional waitlist for Delhi NCR candidates.
• Open to law, LLM, human rights and social science students from regular courses of UGC recognised universities, subject to a 65% academic cut off.
• Stipend of ₹12,000 for interns who successfully complete all requirements of the programme.
• Travel allowance in the form of sleeper class train fare for selected outstation students, as per NHRC rules.
• Structured teaching and field exposure through classroom sessions, research projects, book reviews, film screenings and visits to key institutions.
• Merit based selection using Class XII marks, graduation marks and a 250 word write up that also acts as your Statement of Purpose.
• Additional recognition through awards and prizes for the best group research project, book review and declamation performance.

In short, it is a short but intensive human rights internship that gives you academic credit, practical insights and a strong line on your CV, all within one winter break.

Eligibility Criteria

The NHRC Winter Internship 2025 follows a clear eligibility framework. These criteria ensure that applicants have the required academic background and interest in human rights work. Check each point of NHRC internship eligibility carefully before applying.

• LLB students
  • Students who have completed the first year and are currently in the second or third year of a three year LLB programme.
• Five year integrated law students
  • Students who have completed three years or Semester VI of BA LLB, BBA LLB or any other integrated law course and are now in the fourth or fifth year.
• LLM students
  • Students enrolled in a full time LLM course from a UGC recognised university.
• Human rights and social science students
  • Students pursuing a PG Diploma in Human Rights or an MA in Human Rights.
  • Postgraduate students in Political Science, Sociology, Social Work (MSW), Criminology, Public Administration, Rural Development, History, Economics, Commerce, Anthropology, International Relations or Mass Communication.
  • Students in their final year of these programmes may be given preference.
• Regular courses only
  • Applicants must be enrolled in regular degree programmes offered by UGC recognised universities.
• Minimum academic score
  • Applicants must have secured at least 65 per cent marks in Class XII and in all subsequent semesters completed so far.
• Age limit
  • The applicant should not be older than 28 years on 1 October 2025.
• Mandatory documents
  • Attested mark sheets for every semester and every year from Class X onward must be uploaded. Missing documents lead to rejection.
  • A valid Letter of Recommendation (LOR) in the NHRC Annexure I format is compulsory.
• Reservation categories
  • Reservation for SC, ST, OBC and PwD candidates is followed as per Government of India guidelines.
  • A self attested caste certificate or disability certificate is required if applying under a reserved category.
• Past NHRC interns
  • Students who have already completed an NHRC one month Summer or Winter Internship Programme are not eligible to apply again.

If you meet all eligibility conditions, you can move to the application stage. Accuracy in your documents and academic details is important, as the Commission verifies each submission before shortlisting.

Read Also: Accenture Summer Internship 2026

Internship Structure and Learning Components

The NHRC Winter Internship Programme 2025 is planned as a four week full time attachment with the Commission. The structure is designed to give you a balanced mix of classroom learning, research work and field exposure, so you see how human rights are protected in practice.

Across the internship period, you can expect the following core learning components.

• Orientation and daily schedule
  • The programme begins with an orientation where interns are briefed about NHRC, internship guidelines, reporting time, dress code and code of conduct.
  • You follow a full working day timetable with sessions, group work and assignments spread through the week.
• Thematic sessions by experts
  • Subject experts and senior NHRC officers take sessions on core human rights concepts, laws, case studies and recent developments.
  • Topics may include child rights, women’s rights, rights of persons with disabilities, custodial violence, trafficking, health and education.
• Interactions with NHRC leadership
  • Interns get an opportunity to interact with the Chairperson, Members and senior officials of the Commission.
  • These interactions help you understand how complaints are received, examined and monitored at the national level.
• Group research project
  • Interns are divided into small groups and assigned a human rights theme for research.
  • Each group prepares a written report and makes a presentation before a panel at the end of the internship.
  • The quality of analysis, teamwork and presentation skills all contribute to your final assessment.
• Book review exercise
  • Every intern has to read a book related to human rights or a connected field and submit a structured review.
  • This activity builds your reading, critical thinking and academic writing skills.
• Films and discussions
  • Selected films and documentaries on human rights themes are screened during the programme.
  • Each screening is followed by guided discussion to help you reflect on the issues shown and connect them with law and policy.
• Field visits
  • Interns are taken for visits to relevant institutions such as commissions, courts, correctional or policing bodies and partner organisations.
  • These visits show how rights are enforced and monitored at the ground level.
• Continuous assessment and feedback
  • Your performance is judged on attendance, punctuality, discipline, participation in discussions, quality of project work and submission of assignments.
  • Feedback from mentors and coordinators helps you understand your strengths and areas to improve.

When you treat each component seriously, the winter internship becomes more than just a certificate. It turns into a compact learning experience that shapes how you think about rights, governance and public systems.

Read Also: Indian Army Internship Program 2025-26

Stipend and Benefits

The NHRC Winter Internship Programme 2025 offers the following benefits to students who complete the full four week internship.

These benefits help students gain valuable experience while receiving basic financial support during the internship.

Seats, Mode and Internship Location

The NHRC Winter Internship Programme 2025 has a limited number of seats and follows a strict offline format. Here is a clear breakdown of the intake and location.

Since the NHRC internship is fully in person, applicants should be prepared to stay in Delhi for the entire duration without breaks.

How to Apply

Applications for the NHRC Winter Internship Programme 2025 must be submitted only through the official online form. Follow the steps below to complete your application correctly.

• Visit the official NHRC website
  • Go to the internships section and open the link titled “Winter Internship 2025”.
• Fill in the online application form
  • Enter all personal and academic details exactly as they appear in your records.
  • Do not use prefixes such as Mr, Ms or Mrs while filling your name.
• Upload all required documents
  • Attach scanned, attested copies of mark sheets from Class X onwards.
  • Upload a valid Letter of Recommendation in the prescribed Annexure I format.
  • Ensure each file is clear, complete and correctly labelled.
• Submit your 250 word write up
  • Write a short note on “Reason for joining as an Intern in NHRC”.
  • This acts as your Statement of Purpose and is part of the merit score.
• Verify all details before submitting
  • Check your marks, percentages and document uploads carefully.
  • Any mismatch or incorrect information can lead to rejection.
• Submit the form online
  • Applications sent through email or post will not be accepted.
  • Only applications submitted using the official online form are considered.

Once the application window closes, NHRC reviews each submission and publishes the list of selected interns on its official website.

Documents Required

All applications for the NHRC Winter Internship Programme 2025 must include complete and properly attested documents. Missing or unclear files lead to immediate rejection, so make sure each document is ready before you begin the online form.

• Class X mark sheet
  • Scanned and attested by the HoD or authorised faculty member.
• Class XII mark sheet
  • Attested copy with clear scores and year of passing.
• Graduation mark sheets
  • Attested mark sheets of every year and every semester completed so far.
• Current course mark sheets
  • Attested mark sheets of all semesters completed in your present programme (LLB, LLM, MA, PG Diploma or other eligible courses).
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
  • Must follow the NHRC Annexure I format.
  • Should include name, signature, date and official seal of the Principal, Dean or HoD.
• Write up (250 words)
  • Your note on “Reason for joining as an Intern in NHRC”, submitted within the online form. This is treated as your Statement of Purpose.
• Caste or disability certificate (if applicable)
  • Self attested certificate must be uploaded if applying under SC, ST, OBC or PwD category.

Keep all files scanned clearly, properly named and in the correct format. Any missing or incorrect document may lead to rejection of the application.

Selection Process

The NHRC Winter Internship selection process follows a merit based selection system. Your academic record and the quality of your 250 word write up together decide your final score.

The selection is calculated out of a total of 100 marks as shown below.

• Write up as a key filter
  • Your note on “Reason for joining as an Intern in NHRC” is judged for clarity, relevance and research interest. NHRC prefers applicants who show a genuine interest in human rights work.
• Reservation policy
  • SC, ST, OBC and PwD candidates are considered as per Government of India guidelines. A valid certificate must be submitted if applying under a reserved category.
• State and UT representation
  • NHRC aims to give representation to as many States and Union Territories as possible, subject to applications and merit.
• Document verification
  • All uploaded mark sheets and details are verified. Any mismatch in marks, percentage or CGPA may result in rejection or disqualification from future programmes.
• Final selection list
  • The list of selected interns will be published on the official NHRC website after document scrutiny and merit evaluation.

Applicants with consistent academic performance and a clear, well written 250 word note stand a strong chance of selection.

Tips to Improve Your Selection Chances

The NHRC Winter Internship Programme receives applications from students across the country, so your form needs to be clear, complete and well prepared. These simple points can help strengthen your application.

• Write a focused 250 word note
  • Use your write up to explain why you want to intern with NHRC and what you hope to learn. Keep it specific and relevant to human rights work.
• Show any previous work or interest
  • If you have taken part in projects, assignments or activities related to rights, governance, research or social issues, mention them briefly.
• Keep all documents complete and clear
  • Upload clean, attested copies of every mark sheet from Class X onwards. Missing documents lead to rejection.
• Check your academic details accurately
  • Ensure all percentages, marks and semester records match your official documents. Any mismatch may disqualify your application.
• Prepare a proper LOR
  • Request a short, specific Letter of Recommendation in the Annexure I format. It should have the correct name, date, signature and official seal.
• Submit the application early
  • Do not wait for the last day. Early submission helps you avoid upload errors and gives time to correct any issues.

A well organised application with a clear write up and accurate documents gives you a strong advantage in the selection process.

FAQs on NHRC Winter Internship Programme