Unpaid internship
Minimum 6 weeks and maximum 6 months
UG students after 2nd year with 85% in Class 12, PG students with 70% in graduation, or research scholars from recognized universities.
Original academic mark sheets and No Objection Certificate (NOC) from college signed by HOD or Principal.
Every year, hundreds of students try to get a closer look at how the Indian government actually works. Policy files, economic analysis, development projects, the real decision-making behind national programs. That’s exactly where the NITI Aayog Internship Scheme comes in.
This program allows undergraduate, postgraduate, and research students to work inside NITI Aayog divisions for a short period. No classroom lectures here. Instead, interns assist with policy research, data analysis, reports, and internal studies.
Quick heads-up: the internship is unpaid. But the exposure to policy work inside the Government of India often makes it worth considering for students interested in economics, governance, development studies, or public policy.
Internship NameNITI Aayog Internship Scheme
Organising Body | NITI Aayog, Government of India
Mode | On-site (New Delhi)
Stipend | Unpaid
Duration | Minimum 6 weeks, Maximum 6 months
Eligibility | UG, PG, and Research Scholars meeting academic criteria
Application Window | 1st to 10th of every month
Certificate | Issued after successful completion
Official Portal | workforindia.niti.gov.in
If you're exploring policy or government internships, you might also want to browse all opportunities on Talentd. Programs like the Competition Commission of India Internship or the NICSI Internship 2026 attract similar applicants interested in governance and public systems.
The eligibility rules are quite specific. NITI Aayog only accepts students who meet minimum academic performance criteria and are currently enrolled in recognized institutions.
There is one more rule many applicants miss. The gap between the declaration of your final result and the desired internship month must not exceed six months.
I have seen students overlook this timeline and get rejected automatically by the portal, so double-check before applying.
The internship duration is flexible.
Interns are placed within different verticals or divisions of NITI Aayog. The exact tasks depend on the department you're assigned to.
Typically, interns help with:
At the end of the internship, students usually submit a short report summarizing their work and learning experience.
Applicants must choose one area of interest while filling the application form. The available domains cover a wide range of policy and development topics.
In practice, divisions select interns based on their academic background and the number of applications received.
This is a rolling internship program that runs throughout the year. But the application window is surprisingly short.
Applications are accepted only between 1st and 10th of every month.
You must also apply between 2 to 6 months before your desired internship start month.
Example: If you want an internship starting in April, you should apply between October and February.
Applications that do not meet eligibility conditions are rejected automatically by the system.
All applications submitted online are forwarded to the heads of various divisions within NITI Aayog.
Each division reviews applications and selects candidates based on academic background and relevance to the domain. Usually, a division can take up to three interns at a time, though the number can increase with approval from the CEO of NITI Aayog.
Shortlisted students may be asked to submit a soft copy of their No Objection Certificate (NOC) before receiving an offer letter.
Interns must maintain at least 75% attendance during their internship period.
If attendance falls below this level, the internship certificate will not be issued.
Interns are also expected to mark daily entry and exit time and submit a short report about their work and learning experience.
Selected candidates must produce original documents when joining the internship.
The NOC must confirm that the institution has no objection to the internship and that the student will not be required to attend classes during the internship period.
Subject: No Objection Certificate for NITI Aayog Internship Programme
This is to certify that <Mr./Ms.> is a bonafide student (College ID No.) of <Semester/Year> in the programme <Course Name> at <Institution/College Name>.
The institution has no objection to the student undertaking the internship at NITI Aayog for the period from ______ to ______.
It is also certified that the student is not registered for any course requiring attendance in class during the internship period.
The conduct of the student as recorded by the institution has been found good / satisfactory / unsatisfactory.
Signature and Seal
Head of Department / Principal
Institution Name
This NOC must be printed on the official letterhead of the college and signed by the HOD or Principal.
A few small things can improve your chances.
Students interested in research or government policy internships often combine this with other academic programs. For instance, research-focused programs like the IIIT Pune Internship or technology fellowships such as the FOSSEE Summer Fellowship at IIT Bombay are also worth exploring.
Technical Content Writer
Radhika is a Technical Content Writer at Talentd, where she creates clear, practical, and research-driven content focused on jobs, internships, career guidance, and technology. She specializes in simplifying complex technical topics and turning them into easy-to-understand resources for students and fresh graduates. At Talentd, Radhika contributes to articles related to hiring updates, interview preparation, career roadmaps, and industry trends, helping thousands of learners stay informed and make better career decisions. Her work focuses on delivering accurate, actionable, and student-friendly content that supports the growing Talentd community.
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