National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) is running its internship programme for 2026 where students pursuing UG, PG, M.Phil or PhD courses can work on real public health projects and get a monthly stipend of ₹8,000. This programme runs under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and gives you a close look at how HIV/AIDS policies are made and rolled out on the ground.
NACO accepts applications throughout the year. Your internship can last between 6 weeks and 3 months. At any point of time, NACO keeps not more than 10 interns in the office. You will report to a Head of Division and get to do data analysis, field visits and research on live programmes like ICTC, PPTCT, MSM interventions and EID.
NACO Internship Programme 2026 Details
NACO runs the National AIDS Control Programme for the whole country under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This internship helps students see how a big central-level health scheme works on the ground and how policy decisions turn into field-level action. Your work here can also feed back into NACO's own research and policy needs, so it is a two-way learning setup.
How to Apply for NACO Internship 2026
You have to send your application at least one month before your planned start date. Use the prescribed format given in Annexure IV of the official NACO guidelines. Both online (email) and offline (post) modes are allowed. Follow the steps below one by one.
STEP 1 - Download the internship application form (Annexure IV) from the official NACO website at naco.gov.in and fill in your personal details, course details and the priority area you want to work on.
STEP 2 - Attach a short write-up of up to 500 words on how your studies match the goals of the National AIDS Control Programme and what you want to learn during the internship.
STEP 3 - Get an introduction letter from your Head of Institution and a No Objection Certificate from your University if you plan to intern while your course is still on.
STEP 4 - Keep self-attested copies of ID proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID or PAN), updated CV and academic transcripts ready as attachments to the application.
STEP 5 - Send the filled form with all documents by email to naco.internship@gmail.com or by registered/speed post to Deputy Secretary, National AIDS Control Organisation, 9th Floor, Chandralok Building, 36, Janpath, New Delhi 110001.
STEP 6 - Wait for the NACO Internship Committee to review your file. If shortlisted, you may get a short phone or online interview. Selected candidates get an intimation by email or post.
NACO Internship Key Points
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | NACO Internship Programme |
| Launched By | National AIDS Control Organisation |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Who Can Apply | UG, PG, M.Phil and PhD students |
| Stipend | ₹8,000 per month |
| Duration | 6 weeks (minimum) to 3 months (maximum) |
| Total Seats | Not more than 10 interns at a time |
| Application Mode | Email or Post |
| Location | NACO Office, New Delhi |
| Official Website | naco.gov.in |
Who Can Apply for NACO Internship
Eligibility is kept simple so that students from many streams can try. If you are studying Preventive and Social Medicine, Public Health, Health Management, Life Sciences or Social Sciences like Sociology and Media, you can apply. Graduation students should have completed at least two years of their course. PG, M.Phil and PhD students in regular programmes can apply directly.
NACO gives extra preference in some cases while picking interns. These are not hard rules but they do improve your chances of getting selected.
- Students with a strong academic record in their course so far, including good marks and any past research or project work.
- Students whose project work or thesis topic matches the goals of the National AIDS Control Programme.
- Students from institutions that already have a working tie-up with NACO or State AIDS Control Societies (SACS).
Stipend and Other Benefits
Once you finish the internship and submit your final report to the satisfaction of your Head of Division, NACO pays a stipend of ₹8,000 per month in one shot. Payment happens after the HOD certifies your work. If you leave the internship midway or your internship gets closed early for any reason, NACO will not give any stipend or certificate.
Apart from the money, you also get a proper certificate of completion from NACO, workspace inside the NACO office in Delhi, stationery and access to internal reports and data for your research. You have to bring your own laptop and internet connection. If you are coming from outside Delhi, you also have to arrange your own stay and food.
Documents Required
Keep these papers ready before you fill the application form. If any one of these is missing, your file may get delayed or rejected by the Internship Committee.
- A short write-up (up to 500 words) linking your academic interest with the National AIDS Control Programme.
- ID proof like Aadhaar card, Voter ID card or PAN card (self-attested copy).
- Updated Curriculum Vitae with course details and any past internship or research work.
- Introduction letter from your Head of Institution or department.
- No Objection Certificate from your University if you are joining the internship while your course is ongoing.
- Self-attested copies of your academic certificates and mark sheets.
Priority Work Areas Inside NACO
NACO usually lets you pick or gets you assigned to one of its running priority areas. Secondary data analysis of the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) programme and the Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission (PPTCT) programme is one common track. Interventions for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of HIV are also part of the list.
On the primary research side, students often work on how communities read and respond to the HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. You may also be pulled into ongoing field visits, report writing and small data-collection tasks based on where your HOD needs support at that time.
Who Cannot Apply
If you had already joined a NACO internship earlier and either did not finish it or dropped out midway, NACO will not consider you in later batches. This rule is followed strictly so that only serious candidates take up the limited seats out of the 10-intern batch running at any time.
Related Central Government Schemes
Students planning for central government internships also apply to the AICTE TULIP Internship at the same time to keep options open. If you want to see all central welfare schemes on a single portal, check the myscheme.gov.in portal which lists most of them in one place with eligibility and apply links.
References
View Official NACO Internship Guidelines (English)
FAQ's
Where do I get the NACO internship application form?
The form comes as Annexure IV inside the official NACO Internship Programme guidelines PDF, which you can download from naco.gov.in.
What are the priority research areas for the NACO internship?
Work is available in ICTC and PPTCT data analysis, MSM interventions, EID programme and primary research on the HIV/AIDS Act 2017 and Transgender Persons Rights Act.
How many interns does NACO take at one time?
Not more than 10 interns work at NACO at any given time, which is why the selection process is quite strict.
Will I get a job at NACO after finishing this internship?
No. It is only a learning programme. Finishing the internship does not give any hiring guarantee at NACO or any other government office.
Do I get accommodation in Delhi during the internship?
No. If you are from outside Delhi, you have to arrange your own stay and food. NACO only gives workspace and stationery inside its office.
How much is the NACO internship stipend for 2026?
You get ₹8,000 per month, paid in a lump sum after your HOD certifies that you finished the internship and submitted a proper report.