National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Online Short Term Internship (OSTI) – February & March 2026

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the apex statutory body for the protection and promotion of human rights in India, has invited applications for its Online Short Term Internship (OSTI) Programmes for February and March 2026. The programme is designed to enhance human rights awareness among students and young scholars and to provide structured exposure to constitutional values, institutional mechanisms, and contemporary human rights challenges.

This internship is conducted fully online and offers selected participants an opportunity to interact with senior officials of the NHRC, domain experts, and civil society practitioners, while also engaging in research-oriented and activity-based learning.

Internship Schedule

The NHRC will conduct two separate online batches:

OSTI – February 2026
The internship will be conducted during February 2026.
OSTI – March 2026
The internship will be conducted during March 2026.

Each programme is independent and requires a separate application.

Mode, Duration and Timings

Mode: Fully online
Nature: Full-time programme
Working Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Monday to Friday)
Attendance: Participation in all sessions is compulsory. No leave requests will be entertained under any circumstances.

The internship follows a structured academic schedule similar to a professional training programme.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy all academic and age-related requirements laid down by NHRC.

1. Academic Eligibility

The following categories of students are eligible:

Students studying in the 3rd year or above of any five-year integrated postgraduate course
Students in the 3rd year or final year of any undergraduate degree course
Students of any semester or year of any postgraduate degree course, including 3-year LL.B. students
Students of any semester or year of any postgraduate diploma course
Research scholars in any academic discipline

2. Minimum Academic Performance

Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in:

Class XII, and
All semesters or years of the courses pursued thereafter, including the current course.

If the marks are in CGPA or SGPA format, the applicant must clearly mention the converted percentage along with the official conversion formula. Applications without proper conversion details will be rejected.

3. Age Limit

Applicants must not be more than 28 years of age as on January 2026.

4. Ineligibility

Students who have already attended any previous NHRC Internship Programme are not eligible to apply again.

Course Structure and Learning Components

The internship consists of approximately 40 to 45 academic and interactive sessions covering key dimensions of human rights law, policy, and practice.

The programme includes:

Interaction with the Hon’ble Chairperson and Members of NHRC
Sessions by subject experts on contemporary human rights issues
Group project work on selected human rights themes
Book review activity
Screening and discussion of films on human rights issues such as child labour, trafficking, health, and education
Virtual field visits to jails, police stations, and NGO or shelter homes

These components are designed to provide both theoretical understanding and practical exposure to human rights administration in India.

Stipend and Certification

Stipend:
All successful interns will receive a stipend of ₹2,000 after completion of the programme.
Certificate:
Certificates will be issued based on:
- Punctuality
- Discipline
- Active participation
- Timely submission of group projects and book reviews

Only interns who meet these performance standards will be awarded certificates.

Application Requirements

Incomplete applications will be rejected. Every applicant must submit the following:

1. Statement of Purpose (SOP)

A 250-word write-up on the topic:
“Statement of Purpose for joining NHRC Online Short Term Internship.”
Students who have a research orientation in human rights may indicate the same in their SOP.

2. Scanned Mark Sheets

Self-attested copies of:

Class 10
Class 12
All semesters or years of Graduation, Post-Graduation, or Diploma courses

3. Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

A scanned Letter of Recommendation in the prescribed NHRC format:

Annex-I for February 2026 applicants
Annex-II for March 2026 applicants

The LOR must be signed by the Head of Department, Dean, or Principal and must be dated after the advertisement date.

Important Dates

For OSTI – February 2026

Application link opens in January 2026
Last date to apply: January 2026 (by 6:00 PM)

For OSTI – March 2026

Application link opens in January 2026
Last date to apply: January 2026 (by 6:00 PM)

Applicants must ensure timely submission, as late applications will not be accepted.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted only through the online portal of the National Human Rights Commission.

Official website:
https://nhrc.nic.in

Applications sent by email, post, or any other mode will not be considered. Any discrepancy in marks, CGPA, or academic records may result in rejection and future disqualification from NHRC programmes.

Contact Details

For queries related to the internship:

General Enquiries: 011-24663371 (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday)
Technical Support: 011-24663294

The NHRC Online Short Term Internship Programme provides a rare opportunity for students to gain direct exposure to India’s national human rights framework. Through structured academic sessions, institutional interaction, and practical assignments, the programme builds strong foundations for those interested in law, public policy, governance, and social justice. Students who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply and make the most of this nationally significant academic opportunity.

Official Notification and LOR

Apply Here

Paid Online National Short Term Internship at Human Rights Commission (NHRC) – February & March 2026