Top Government Internships in India 2026 | Best Paid & Free Govt Internships for Students

Want to boost your career with real-world government experience? Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or research scholar—government internships in India offer a golden chance to work with central ministries, departments, and think tanks. From policy-making to AI development, these internships build your resume, develop skills, and sometimes even offer a stipend!

Here’s a curated list of the top government internships in India 2026—paid and unpaid, online and offline.

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Top Government Internships in India 2026

1. NITI Aayog Internship

• Mode: Hybrid (Online/Delhi HQ)

• Stipend: Unpaid

• Duration: 6 weeks – 3 months

• Eligibility: UG/PG students in Economics, Public Policy, Law, Management, etc.

• Apply: https://niti.gov.in

• Best For: Policy research, planning, governance exposure

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2. Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) Internship

• Mode: Offline/Hybrid

• Stipend: Unpaid

• Duration: 2 Months

• Eligibility: Women students, researchers, social activists

• Apply: https://wcd.nic.in

• Perks: Certificate, field project exposure

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3. DPIIT Internship (Ministry of Commerce)

• Mode: Online/Offline

• Stipend: ₹10,000/month

• Duration: 1–3 Months

• Eligibility: UG/PG/Research Scholars in any stream

• Apply: https://dpiit.gov.in

• Best For: Industry policy, entrepreneurship ecosystem

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4. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Internship

• Mode: Offline (Mumbai)

• Stipend: ₹20,000/month

• Duration: 6 months

• Eligibility: PG or Research students in Economics, Finance, Law

• Apply: https://rbi.org.in

• Best For: Finance, monetary policy, central banking

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5. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Internship

• Mode: Offline (Delhi)

• Stipend: ₹10,000/month

• Duration: 1–3 Months

• Eligibility: UG/PG students aged 18–30

• Apply: https://www.mea.gov.in

• Perks: Global diplomacy experience

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6. AICTE Virtual Internship

• Mode: Online

• Stipend: Depends on project

• Duration: Flexible

• Eligibility: Engineering, Management, Science students

• Apply: https://internship.aicte-india.org

• Best For: Tech & startup-based internships

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7. TULIP Internship (Urban Learning)

• Organized by: MoHUA + AICTE

• Mode: Offline (in ULBs/Smart Cities)

• Stipend: ₹5,000–₹20,000/month (varies)

• Duration: 8 weeks – 1 year

• Eligibility: Final year or fresh graduates

• Apply: https://internship.tulip-coe.in

• Best For: Urban governance, public infrastructure, smart city projects

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8. UIDAI Internship (Aadhaar)

• Mode: Offline

• Stipend: Unpaid

• Duration: 6 weeks – 3 months

• Eligibility: UG/PG/PhD students in tech, law, governance

• Apply: Email to: [email protected]

• Best For: Aadhaar policy, cybersecurity, tech for governance

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9. Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Internships

• Mode: Offline (Delhi)

• Stipend: ₹20,000 – ₹25,000/month (Lok Sabha)

• Duration: 1–3 Months

• Eligibility: PG students in Law, Political Science, Public Policy

• Apply: https://loksabha.nic.in

• Best For: Parliamentary procedure, law-making exposure

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10. Infosys Springboard Virtual Internship

• Mode: Online

• Stipend: Unpaid

• Duration: 4–8 weeks

• Eligibility: Open to all learners

• Apply: https://infyspringboard.onwingspan.com

• Best For: Beginners looking to boost tech and communication skills

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FAQs on Government Internships in India

Q: Are government internships paid in India?
Some internships offer stipends (like DPIIT, RBI, MEA), while others like NITI Aayog or MWCD are unpaid but offer great exposure and certificates.

Q: Can first-year students apply for government internships?
Most require at least 2nd-year UG students. However, virtual internships like AICTE or Infosys Springboard are open to all.

Q: Do I get a certificate after completing a govt internship?
Yes, most government internships offer certificates upon successful completion.

Q: Is there any centralized portal for all government internships?
No, you have to check individual ministry or department websites. Some common portals include AICTE, TULIP, and MyGov.

Q: Can non-technical students apply for these internships?
Yes! Internships are available in policy, law, public health, economics, management, social sciences, etc.