NHAI Internship 2026-27: Rs 20,000 Stipend, Winter & Term Cycles

The NHAI Internship Programme has two cycles open on the portal: a one-month Winter Internship running December 2026 to January 2027, and a six-month Term Internship running January to June 2027. Both opened on 18 August 2026, and the National Highways Authority of India lists a stipend of Rs 20,000 a month along with an official experience certificate.

The portal gives no last date for either cycle. That means you shouldn't wait: register, get your institute to recommend you, and pick your project sites early.

If you're comparing this with other paid public-sector programmes, see our guide to government internships.

NHAI internship cycles and duration

NHAI runs three types of internship through the year. The Winter cycle lasts one month (December to January), the Summer cycle lasts two months (May to July), and the Term cycle lasts six months (January to June). The portal home page already lists Summer Internship 2027 as well, but the notices dated 10 August 2026 announce only the Winter and Term cycles as open.

Check your academic calendar before choosing. Every intern must be present at the assigned project site for the full duration, and NHAI doesn't allow remote, part-time or flexible attendance. The Term cycle in particular means six months away from campus, so ask your department whether it can be credited toward your curriculum. NHAI leaves that decision to your institute.

NHAI internship stipend and certificate

The programme highlights put the stipend at Rs 20,000 per month. The portal FAQ adds that the exact figure appears in your offer letter and can vary by cycle and by study level, so treat Rs 20,000 as the headline rate rather than a guarantee.

Payment starts once your Project Implementation Unit (PIU) confirms you've joined and your bank details are verified. You'll get an email and a portal alert asking for your account details and a cancelled cheque. After that, the stipend is released period by period, usually monthly, based on your attendance and work summary. Your dashboard tracks it from Pending to Partially Released to Fully Released.

Budget carefully. You arrange and pay for your own travel and accommodation, and NHAI doesn't reimburse anything beyond the stipend. When the internship and stipend processing are complete, you receive an Internship Completion Certificate (Experience Letter), digitally signed by your PIU officer, by email and on your dashboard.

NHAI internship eligibility

The programme highlights list these courses:

• B.Tech / B.E in Civil, Electrical, CS, ECE, Mechanical or Environmental Engineering
• M.Tech / M.E in relevant disciplines
• MBA in Finance, HR or Operations from AICTE / UGC recognised institutes

The portal FAQ names a wider set of disciplines, including Information Technology, Instrumentation Engineering, Data Science/AI, Law (BA LLB), Mass Communication and HR/Organisational Behaviour, at an NHAI-recognised, AICTE-approved institution. It also says eligible disciplines and institutes can change from cycle to cycle, so the quickest way to settle it is the eligibility check page, where you pick your cycle, degree, branch and year.

A few conditions apply to everyone. You need a minimum of 60% aggregate marks, you must be a full-time student currently pursuing your degree (graduates can't apply), your institute must be on the eligible list for the cycle, and the Institute Head must recommend your application.

If your college isn't in the dropdown, don't pick a similar-sounding one; NHAI may reject applications with wrong institution details. Colleges can't register themselves either. Ask your placement cell to email internship@nhai.org with the college's full name and the Training and Placement Officer's contact details.

Documents to upload for the NHAI internship

Keep clear, legible scans of these ready before you start:

• Latest marksheet or grade card (mandatory)
• Class 10 marksheet (mandatory)
• Class 12 marksheet (mandatory)
• Passport-size photograph, 50 KB to 100 KB (mandatory)
• Signature, 20 KB to 50 KB (mandatory)
• College ID card as identity proof (mandatory)
• Resume or CV (optional)

The photo and signature size limits are strict, so resize them beforehand.

How to apply for the NHAI internship

1. Open the NHAI Internship Portal and register with your name and mobile number.
2. Verify your mobile number with the OTP you receive.
3. Fill in your profile with personal, educational and professional details, and upload the documents listed above.
4. Choose the cycle (Winter 2026-27 or Term 2027) and select up to five project preferences.
5. Submit the application, then tell your institute's faculty coordinator so they review it promptly.
6. Watch for SMS and email updates, and check your status on the student dashboard.

If your preferred state isn't shown, NHAI has no openings there for the current cycle. Pick from what's listed.

NHAI internship selection process

After you submit, your institute's coordinator checks your university, degree, branch and marksheets, then marks you Recommend or Not Recommend. Only recommended applications go to NHAI, where an admin shortlists candidates on merit. Offer letters go out by email and SMS.

The portal statistics show 21,410 applications received and 1,124 offers issued across 3 completed cycles, so expect competition. Your institute has no cap on how many students it can recommend, which means the real hurdle is getting your application verified on time. If it shows Not Recommended, or your institute hasn't acted, contact your placement cell or faculty coordinator straight away.

Seeing "No Data Available" under Current Opportunities after finishing your profile usually means your stream or year doesn't match the cycle, or nothing has been released for your category yet. If you think you qualify, email internship@nhai.org with your name, application ID and profile details.

NHAI internship contact and helpdesk

You can raise a ticket through the Helpdesk option on the portal; replies usually come within 24 hours. For programme queries, write to trainingcell@nhai.org, and for IT problems, internship@nhai.org. The phone lines are 011-25074100 and 011-25074200 (Ext. 1106), staffed Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM.

Planning ahead for May? Our summer internships guide covers other options, and you can browse all opportunities on Talentd.

FAQs about the NHAI internship

What is the last date for the NHAI Winter and Term internship?

The portal doesn't give one. Both cycles have been open since 18 August 2026, so apply as early as you can.

How much stipend does the NHAI internship pay?

The programme highlights list Rs 20,000 per month. The exact amount is confirmed in your offer letter and can vary by cycle and study level.

Can final-year graduates apply for the NHAI internship?

No. Only students currently pursuing their degree can apply; anyone who has already completed it is not eligible.

Is the NHAI internship remote?

No. You must be present full-time at your assigned NHAI project site for the whole internship.

Does NHAI provide accommodation for interns?

No. Interns arrange their own travel and stay, and NHAI pays nothing beyond the monthly stipend.