{"id":48703,"date":"2026-03-03T12:20:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T06:50:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/?p=48703"},"modified":"2026-03-03T12:52:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T07:22:33","slug":"mea-internship-program-apply","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/mea-internship-program-apply\/","title":{"rendered":"MEA Internship 2026 (Term I: Apr\u2013Sep) \u2013 Apply Online, Eligibility, Stipend &amp; Dates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The <strong>MEA Internship 2026<\/strong> (Ministry of External Affairs) is now open for <strong>Term I: April \u2013 September<\/strong>. Students and graduates can apply through the <strong>official Ministry of E xternal Affairs Internship portal<\/strong> between the notified dates. Each term is capped at <strong>30 interns<\/strong>, making this one of the most selective <strong>government internships in India<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Selected candidates receive an <strong>honorarium of \u20b910,000 per month<\/strong> and a one-time <strong>airfare reimbursement<\/strong> for travel to New Delhi, where the internship is based. The duration ranges from <strong>1\u20133 months<\/strong>, depending on the assignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, you\u2019ll find everything you need to know about the <strong>MEA Internship Term I (Apr &#8211; Sep)<\/strong>: <strong>eligibility and age limit, stipend, apply online process, SOP format, required documents, selection process, and important dates<\/strong>. We also share a ready-to-use SOP template and portfolio tip to give you an edge in the shortlist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ABB7C245;padding-top:5px;padding-bottom:5px;padding-left:10px;padding-right:10px;border-radius:8px;\">\n  <details>\n    <summary><strong>\ud83d\udd3d Table of Contents<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <ol>\n      <li><strong><a href=\"#about-mea-internship\">About the MEA Internship 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n      <li><strong><a href=\"#eligibility\">Eligibility and Age Limit<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n      <li><strong><a href=\"#stipend-benefits\">Stipend, Airfare &#038; Duration<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n      <li><strong><a href=\"#application-process\">How to Apply Online<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n      <li><strong><a href=\"#sop-documents\">SOP &#038; Documents Checklist<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n      <li><strong><a href=\"#selection-process\">Selection Process &#038; Tips<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n      <li><strong><a href=\"#important-dates\">Important Dates (Term I: Apr\u2013Sep)<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n      <li><strong><a href=\"#faqs\">FAQs on MEA Internship<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n    <\/ol>\n  <\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height: 15px;\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffdeed\"><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/web-stories\/paid-government-internships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Paid Government Internships: Top 10<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"about-mea-internship\">About the MEA Internship Programme 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Ministry of External Affairs Internship Programme<\/strong> is a flagship initiative designed to give students and young graduates exposure to India\u2019s foreign policy and diplomatic work. The internship is hosted at the <strong>MEA headquarters in New Delhi<\/strong> and opens in two terms each year: <strong>April\u2013September (Term I)<\/strong> and <strong>October &#8211;  March (Term II)<\/strong>. Each term admits a maximum of <strong>30 interns<\/strong>, making it highly competitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Quick Facts \u2013 MEA Internship Term I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Seats:<\/strong> Maximum 30 interns per term<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Duration:<\/strong> 1 to 3 months<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Honorarium:<\/strong> \u20b910,000 per month<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Travel support:<\/strong> One-time return airfare (capped)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official<\/strong> <strong>Portal:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/internship.mea.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\"><strong>internship.mea.gov.in<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why this internship stands out<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Work directly with MEA divisions on live policy assignments and research notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understand the functioning of India\u2019s foreign policy and global engagement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Receive an official <strong>completion certificate<\/strong> from the Ministry of External Affairs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boost your CV with one of the most <strong>prestigious government internships in India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#EEF7FF;padding:12px;border-radius:8px;\"><p><strong>Note:<\/strong> The MEA internship is open every term, but demand is high. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the intake window to avoid last-minute technical issues on the portal.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height: 15px;\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffdeed\"><strong>Read Also: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/iit-bombay-research-internship-apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IIT Bombay Research Internship: Apply Now<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"eligibility\">Eligibility and Age Limit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>MEA Internship 2026<\/strong> has strict eligibility criteria to ensure that only qualified candidates apply for Term I(April \u2013 September). Applicants must meet both academic and age requirements at the time of application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ABB7C245;padding:12px;border-radius:8px;\">\n<h3><strong>Eligibility at a glance<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Education:<\/strong> Final-year undergraduates, postgraduates, or research scholars from recognised universities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fields of study:<\/strong> International relations, political science, law, economics, management, engineering, or related subjects.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Age limit:<\/strong> Applicants must not be older than <strong>25 years<\/strong> as of the application deadline.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Nationality:<\/strong> Open only to <strong>Indian citizens<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Additional requirements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Consistent academic record with at least <strong>60% marks or equivalent CGPA<\/strong> in the last examination passed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A polished resume and <strong>Statement of Purpose (SOP)<\/strong> are mandatory for application submission.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applicants must be available for a full-time internship of <strong>1\u20133 months<\/strong> at the MEA headquarters in New Delhi.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#EEF7FF;padding:12px;border-radius:8px;\">\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Incomplete applications, missing documents, or exceeding the age limit will lead to automatic rejection. Double-check your details before submitting on internship.mea.gov.in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height: 15px;\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffdeed\"><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/drdo-internship-apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DRDO Internship 2026: Eligibility, Application &amp; Tips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"stipend-benefits\">Stipend, Airfare &amp; Duration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>MEA Internship Term I (Apr\u2013Sep)<\/strong> provides financial and logistical support despite being a short-term programme. While the internship is not salaried like private-sector roles, interns receive an honorarium and travel benefits to offset expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color: #abb7c245; padding: 12px; border-radius: 8px;\">\n<h3><strong>What MEA interns receive<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Honorarium:<\/strong> \u20b910,000 per month (fixed)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Airfare:<\/strong> Reimbursement of one-time return economy airfare from place of residence to New Delhi (subject to cap)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> Ministry of External Affairs Headquarters, New Delhi<\/li>\n<li><strong>Certificate:<\/strong> Official completion certificate from MEA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Duration of MEA internship 2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Internship length: Minimum <strong>1 month<\/strong> and maximum <strong>3 months<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The duration is decided based on the division\u2019s requirements and the intern\u2019s availability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extensions beyond 3 months are not permitted under MEA guidelines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color: #eef7ff; padding: 12px; border-radius: 8px;\">\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> The honorarium and airfare reimbursement are processed only after successful completion of the internship. Interns must submit proof of travel and attendance to claim benefits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height: 15px;\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffdeed\"><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/dpiit-internship-scheme-apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DPIIT Internship Scheme 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"application-process\">How to Apply Online for MEA Internship 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Applications for the <strong>MEA Internship 2026 Term I (Apr\u2013Sep)<\/strong> are accepted only through the official portal: <a href=\"https:\/\/internship.mea.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">internship.mea.gov.in<\/a>. The process is simple but must be completed within the notified window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color: #abb7c245; padding: 12px; border-radius: 8px;\">\n<h3><strong>Step-by-step application flow<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Register:<\/strong> Create an account on internship.mea.gov.in , with your email ID and mobile number.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Login &amp; profile:<\/strong> Complete your profile by filling in personal details, educational qualifications, and upload required documents.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Select term:<\/strong> Choose <strong>Term I (April\u2013September)<\/strong> as your preferred cycle.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Choose domain:<\/strong> Select the MEA division or area of interest (e.g., economic diplomacy, development partnership, international law).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Upload SOP:<\/strong> Write and upload your <strong>Statement of Purpose (SOP)<\/strong> in the specified word limit (usually 500\u20131000 words).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Submit:<\/strong> Verify details and submit the application before the deadline. No edits are allowed after submission.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height: 15px;\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color: #eef7ff; padding: 12px; border-radius: 8px;\">\n<p><strong>Quick checklist before submission \u2705<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u2714\ufe0f Updated resume (clear file name: <em>Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf<\/em>)<\/li>\n<li>\u2714\ufe0f Academic transcripts \/ marksheets uploaded<\/li>\n<li>\u2714\ufe0f SOP proofread and within word limit<\/li>\n<li>\u2714\ufe0f Government-issued ID (Aadhaar\/Passport\/PAN)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Tip:<\/em> <\/strong>The portal may be busy on closing days. Apply early before March 05, 2026, window to avoid last-minute issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffdeed\"><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/vssc-isro-internship-apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VSSC Internship 2026: Dates, Eligibility, How to Apply<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sop-documents\">SOP &amp; Documents Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A strong <strong>Statement of Purpose (SOP)<\/strong> and complete documentation are critical for the <strong>MEA Internship 2026 Term I<\/strong>. Incomplete or poorly written submissions are one of the top reasons for rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color: #abb7c245; padding: 12px; border-radius: 8px;\">\n<h3><strong>Mandatory documents<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Updated resume (1 page, PDF format)<\/li>\n<li>Academic transcripts \/ mark sheets (latest)<\/li>\n<li>Government ID proof (Aadhaar \/ Passport \/ PAN)<\/li>\n<li>Statement of Purpose (SOP) \u2013 500 to 1000 words<\/li>\n<li>Passport-size photograph (recent)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to write your SOP<\/strong> for MEA Internship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Start with your motivation for applying (policy interest, foreign affairs, or research goals).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highlight relevant coursework, projects, or internships in international relations, economics, or law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explain how this internship aligns with your career path.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep the tone professional, clear, and within the word limit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffdeed\"><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/web-stories\/how-to-write-statement-of-purpose-sop-for-internship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Write Statement of Purpose (SOP) for Internship?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sample SOP (for reference)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#c4c6c845\"><tbody><tr><td>I am [Your Name], currently pursuing [Degree] at [University]. I am applying for the MEA Internship Term I ( April \u2013 September) as I aspire to contribute to policy research and gain practical exposure to India\u2019s foreign relations. <br><br>My academic training in [relevant subjects] and project work in [specific area] have strengthened my analytical and writing skills. <br><br>I have also been actively involved in [clubs\/research\/hackathons], which taught me to work in diverse teams and manage time-bound tasks. <br><br>Through this internship, I seek to understand the inner workings of policy formulation and engage with experienced officers at MEA. <br><br>In return, I bring commitment, research skills, and enthusiasm to contribute effectively during the programme.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Tip:<\/strong><\/em> Use this SOP as a structure, not a script. Personalise with your achievements and career goals to stand out in the shortlisting process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffdeed\"><strong>&nbsp;Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/pm-internship-scheme\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PM Internship Scheme 2026: Steps to Apply, Eligibility<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"selection-process\">Selection Process &amp; Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>MEA Internship Term I (Apr \u2013 Sep)<\/strong> follows an official two-stage selection process. Since there are only <strong>30 seats per term<\/strong>, the competition is intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Official selection stages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stage 1: Preliminary Screening<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stage 2: Personal Interview<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The process follows a <strong>quota cum weightage<\/strong> system, where applicants belonging to <strong>14 States<\/strong> and <strong>4 Union Territories<\/strong> are considered in each term as per the official term-wise mapping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Term<\/th><th>States covered<\/th><th>Union Territories covered<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Term 1 (April \u2013 September)<\/strong><\/td><td>Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra<\/td><td>Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra &amp; Nagar Haveli and Daman &amp; Diu, Delhi<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Term 2 (October \u2013 March)<\/strong><\/td><td>Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal<\/td><td>Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Puducherry<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Seat allocation per term<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In each term, there may be <strong>26 interns<\/strong> from the <strong>14 States<\/strong> (combined) and <strong>2 interns<\/strong> from the <strong>4 Union Territories<\/strong> (combined).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additionally, <strong>2 interns<\/strong> may be selected with maximum marks from <strong>TADP districts \/ underprivileged sections<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A minimum of <strong>30%<\/strong> of seats may be filled by <strong>women candidates<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Weightage basis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Weightage is based on academic performance assessed by the <strong>percentage of marks obtained in +2 and graduation exams<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Merit list preparation and priority rules<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Candidates should apply <strong>online only<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>State-wise merit lists<\/strong> are prepared separately for <strong>male<\/strong> and <strong>female<\/strong> candidates by elimination based on academic performance in <strong>+2<\/strong> and <strong>graduation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Priority is given to applicants from <strong>TADP districts<\/strong> during the <strong>Preliminary Screening<\/strong> stage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Priority is given to applicants belonging to <strong>SC\/ST\/OBC\/EWS<\/strong> categories during the <strong>Personal Interview<\/strong> stage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Interview call ratio and final selection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The number of candidates called for interview is <strong>three times<\/strong> the number of interns to be engaged in each term.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal interviews are conducted via <strong>video conferencing<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A maximum of <strong>30 candidates<\/strong> may be selected from the interview process and offered internships per term.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If a selected candidate opts out, the <strong>next candidate in the merit list<\/strong> from the individual state may be offered the opportunity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#EEF7FF;padding:12px;border-radius:8px;\">\r\n  <p><strong>Practical tip:<\/strong> Since weightage is tied to <strong>+2 and graduation marks<\/strong>, ensure your academic details are accurate on the portal and your supporting documents are uploaded in clear, readable format.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height: 15px;\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color: #eef7ff; padding: 12px; border-radius: 8px;\">\n<h3><strong>Tips to improve your chances<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\u2714\ufe0f Write an SOP that demonstrates policy interest and specific career goals.<\/li>\n<li>\u2714\ufe0f Highlight <strong>relevant coursework, research projects, or internships<\/strong> in IR, law, or economics.<\/li>\n<li>\u2714\ufe0f Keep your resume concise, with measurable achievements.<\/li>\n<li>\u2714\ufe0f Apply early before March 05, 2026, window to avoid portal congestion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Portfolio tip:<\/strong> While not mandatory, attaching or linking to a simple portfolio (e.g., published articles, policy briefs, research blogs, or data analysis reports) can set you apart. It shows initiative and practical application of your skills, which evaluators value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Note:<\/em> <\/strong>The final decision rests with MEA divisions. Even with a strong profile, selection depends on the availability of projects and seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffdeed\"><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/tata-micro-internship-apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tata Micro Internship: Apply Now<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"important-dates\">Important Dates (Term I: Apr\u2013Sep)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>MEA Internship 2026 Term I<\/strong> runs from <strong>April to September<\/strong>. Application windows are announced on the official portal and may follow a monthly cycle. Always verify the live window on <a href=\"https:\/\/internship.mea.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">internship.mea.gov.in<\/a> before applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color: #eef7ff; padding: 12px; border-radius: 8px;\">\n<p><strong>Reminders<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Applications are accepted <strong>only<\/strong> during the live window shown on the portal.<\/li>\n<li>Keep your <strong>resume, transcripts, ID, and SOP<\/strong> ready to avoid last-minute errors.<\/li>\n<li>Shortlists and onboarding timelines are communicated via the portal\/email on a rolling basis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 8px;\"><em>*Exact dates are announced by MEA on the official portal for each month in Term II. Always verify on internship.mea.gov.in before applying.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faqs\">FAQs on MEA Internship 2026 (Term I)<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ABB7C245; padding:10px; border-radius:6px;\">\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>\ud83d\udd3d <strong>How many seats are available for Term I?<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <div>\n      <p>Each term admits a maximum of <strong>30 interns<\/strong>. Apply early and ensure your SOP and documents are complete.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>\ud83d\udd3d <strong>What is the honorarium and is airfare covered?<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <div>\n      <p>Interns receive an <strong>honorarium of \u20b910,000 per month<\/strong> and a <strong>one-time return airfare reimbursement<\/strong> (economy class, subject to cap) to New Delhi.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>\ud83d\udd3d <strong>What is the internship duration and location?<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <div>\n      <p>Duration is <strong>1\u20133 months<\/strong>. The internship is based at the <strong>Ministry of External Affairs HQ, New Delhi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>\ud83d\udd3d <strong>Who is eligible to apply?<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <div>\n      <p>Final-year <strong>UG<\/strong> students, <strong>PG<\/strong> students, <strong>research scholars<\/strong>, and recent graduates (within 6 months) from recognised institutions. Open to <strong>Indian citizens<\/strong> only.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>\ud83d\udd3d <strong>Is there an age limit?<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <div>\n      <p>Yes. Applicants must be <strong>\u2264 25 years<\/strong> at the time of application.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>\ud83d\udd3d <strong>How do I apply for Term I (Apr\u2013Sep)?<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <div>\n      <p>Apply online at <a href=\"https:\/\/internship.mea.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">internship.mea.gov.in<\/a>. Register, complete your profile, select <strong>Term I<\/strong>, choose a domain, upload your <strong>SOP<\/strong> and documents, then submit within the notified window.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>\ud83d\udd3d <strong>Which documents are mandatory?<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <div>\n      <ul>\n        <li>One-page resume (PDF)<\/li>\n        <li>Latest transcripts\/marksheets<\/li>\n        <li>Government ID (Aadhaar\/Passport\/PAN)<\/li>\n        <li><strong>SOP<\/strong> (within word limit)<\/li>\n        <li>Recent passport-size photograph<\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>\ud83d\udd3d <strong>What is the selection process?<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <div>\n      <p>Screening of applications \u2192 academic review \u2192 <strong>SOP<\/strong> evaluation \u2192 shortlist notification on portal\/email. Interviews may be conducted at the division\u2019s discretion.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>\ud83d\udd3d <strong>Is there a law-specific track?<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <div>\n      <p>Yes. MEA runs an <strong>International Law Internship<\/strong> track. Law students should choose the relevant domain while applying on the portal.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n  <details>\n    <summary>\ud83d\udd3d <strong>When are results announced?<\/strong><\/summary>\n    <div>\n      <p>Shortlists are released on a rolling basis during the <strong>Term I (Apr\u2013Sep)<\/strong> cycle. Monitor your portal dashboard and email regularly.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/details>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The MEA Internship 2026 (Ministry of External Affairs) is now open for Term I: April \u2013 September. Students and graduates can apply through the official Ministry of E xternal Affairs Internship portal between the notified dates. Each term is capped at 30 interns, making this one of the most selective government internships in India. Selected [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":48705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[120],"tags":[207,186,187,179],"class_list":{"0":"post-48703","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-internships-volunteering","8":"tag-government-internships","9":"tag-how-to-apply-for-internship","10":"tag-paid-internship","11":"tag-tips-to-crack-internship-interviews"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48703"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48703\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50219,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48703\/revisions\/50219"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.in\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}