Your Complete Guide to Government Internships in India

​‍​‌‍​‍‌If you are a student or a fresh graduate and want to get some hands-on, real-world experience with the government, then the stars are aligned for you. These programs give you a real look at how things work, from economic policy at the Reserve Bank to foreign relations at the Ministry of External Affairs. You’re not just making copies or fetching coffee. You’re working on actual projects that matter.

This article is a guide to everything you should know before applying for a government internship.

Why Consider Government Internships?

A government internship isn’t just another line on your resume (though it definitely helps there, too). You get to work on real policy stuff. The kind of work that actually affects people’s lives. Plus, you’ll meet civil servants, policymakers, and other students who care about public service.

And unlike some internships that expect you to work for “exposure,” many of these programs now pay anywhere from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 a month. Not bad for learning how the system works from the inside.

Major Government Internships Programs

1. Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS)

This is quite a big one. The government plans to create one crore (10 million) internship opportunities over five years in India’s top 500 companies.

Application Eligibility

• Indian citizens aged 21-24 years

• High school or higher secondary pass-outs

• ITI certificate holders

• Candidates​‍​‌‍​‍‌ holding a Polytechnic diploma.

• Graduates (BA, BSc, BCom, BBA, BCA, BPharma and equivalent degrees).

• Students enrolled in online or distance learning ​‍​‌‍​‍‌programmes.

• Must not be in full-time employment or education

• Family income should not exceed ₹8 lakh per year

Who Cannot Apply:

• Graduates from IITs, IIMs, National Law Universities, IISER, NIDs, IIITs

• Holders of professional degrees like CA, CMA, CS, MBA, MBBS, BDS, or Master’s degrees

• People already in apprenticeships or government skill programs

• Those who completed NATS or NAPS internships

• Family members of permanent government employees

What You Get:

• 12-month internship across 25 sectors

• Monthly stipend of ₹5,000 (₹4,500 from government + ₹500 from company)

• One-time joining grant of ₹6,000

• Insurance coverage under PMJJBY and PMSBY

• Direct Benefit Transfer to your Aadhaar-linked bank account

2. NITI Aayog Internship

NITI Aayog is India’s policy think tank, working directly under the Prime Minister’s office. This internship gives you exposure to how national policies are formed.

Who Can Apply:

• Undergraduate students (completed at least 2 years/4 semesters)

• Postgraduate students

• Research scholars (PhD candidates)

• Recent graduates (within 6 months of result declaration)

• Must have at least 70% marks in the last exam passed

• Must have secured at least 85% in Class 12 (for UG applicants)

• Open to Indian citizens and foreign students from recognized institutions

Duration:

• Minimum 6 weeks, maximum 6 months

• Work across various verticals like economics, public policy, health, education, and agriculture

Stipend:–

• Unpaid, but you receive a certificate on completion

When to Apply:

• Applications open from the 1st to the 10th of every month

• If you want to intern in July, you can apply anytime between January and May

3. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Internship

Work with India’s diplomats and learn about foreign policy formulation. This is perfect if you’re interested in international relations.

Who Can Apply:

• Indian citizens with a graduate degree

• Final-year students where an internship is mandatory for their course

• Age limit: Not exceeding 25 years as of December 31 of the internship year

Duration:

• 1 to 6 months (extensions possible in exceptional cases)

• Can start any time of the year

Selection Process:

• Two stages: Preliminary screening and personal interview

• Follows a quota system for different states and UTs

• Maximum 30 candidates selected per term

• Security clearance required

What You’ll Do:

• Research and write reports

• Analyse developments in foreign policy

• Carry out tasks assigned by the Head of Division

• Maintain confidentiality of ministry information

• Submit a detailed report at the end

 4. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Summer Internship

Get hands-on experience with India’s central bank. This is one of the most competitive government internships.

Who Can Apply:

• Penultimate year students (second-last year) only

• Undergraduates or postgraduates in:

• Economics, Finance, Commerce, Statistics

• Mathematics, Management, Law

• Engineering (Computer Science/IT)

• Integrated 5-year courses in these fields

• Minimum 60% marks in Class 10, 12, and graduation

• Relaxation for SC/ST/OBC candidates (55%)

• Age: 21-25 years (no upper limit for reserved categories)

What You Get:

• Monthly stipend of ₹20,000

• 3-month placement (April to July)

• Certificate on completion

• Work on live research projects

• Exposure to monetary policy, digital payments, financial inclusion

When to Apply:

• Application window: October 15 to December 15 (for internship starting next April)

• For 2026 internship: Applied from Oct 15 to Dec 15, 2025

Selection Process:

• Applications reviewed for eligibility

• Shortlisted candidates called for interviews (January/February)

• Final selection announced (February/March)

• Only one Control Office application is allowed

5. Ministry of Law and Justice (Legislative Department)

Perfect for law students interested in legislative drafting.

Who Can Apply:

• Final year law students

• Students in 4th/5th year of five-year law programs

Duration:

• 4 to 6 weeks (variable)

Selection:

• Only 5 candidates are selected at any time

When to Apply:

• Open throughout the year

• Rolling applications

6. Digital India Internship Scheme (NIC)

For those interested in IT and e-governance.

Who Can Apply:

• Postgraduate students in IT, Management, Economics, Commerce, Law, Finance

• Final year B.Tech Computer Science students

Duration:

• 2 months (typically June or July)

When to Apply:

• Submission deadline: January 31 each year

Documents You’ll Generally Need

Most government internships require similar paperwork:

– Updated CV/Resume

– Academic transcripts (Class 10, 12, current degree)

– ID proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport)

– Recent photograph

– Statement of Purpose/Cover letter

– Bonafide certificate from your college

– Recommendation letter (for some programs)

Tips to Improve Your Chances

1. Start Early

Don’t wait until the last day. Technical issues happen, and you want time to fix any problems with your application.

2. Tailor Your Application

Generic applications rarely work. Research the department or division you’re applying to. Mention specific projects or areas that interest you in your statement of purpose.

3. Maintain Good Grades

Most programs have minimum percentage requirements. Keep your academic performance strong.

4. Highlight Relevant Experience

Even if you haven’t done formal internships, mention relevant coursework, projects, volunteering, or extracurricular activities.

5. Keep Academic Performance Strong

Most programs filter candidates based on marks. The higher your percentage, the better your chances.

6. Write a Strong SOP

Your statement of purpose should be specific, not generic. Explain why this particular internship matters to you and what you hope to learn. Show that you’ve researched the organisation.

7. Follow Up

After applying, track your application status. Some portals let you check where you stand in the selection process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Government Internships

Can I apply to multiple programs at once? Yes. Apply to as many as you want.

Do I need to be from a specific college? Depends on the program. Some accept anyone from recognised institutions. Others want strong grades (70-85% minimum).

Which ones actually pay? RBI, MEA, and PM Internship Scheme pay. NITI Aayog doesn’t, but the experience is worth it.

What about distance learning students? PM Internship Scheme explicitly allows this. Check individual program requirements.

I missed the deadline. Now what? Wait for the next cycle. For NITI Aayog, that’s just next month. For others, it might be six months or a year.

Will this get me a government job? No guarantees. But it definitely helps if you’re preparing for UPSC or applying to public sector jobs.

Can I do this remotely? Most require you to be physically present. Some experimented with virtual internships during COVID, but that’s rare now.

General Tip: Always verify information on official government websites. Don’t rely on third-party sites for application deadlines or processes.

**Last updated: December 2025. Check official websites for the most current information, as dates and requirements may change.**