DGFT Summer Internship Scheme 2026 - Apply Online for 150 Vacancies

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has launched Summer Internship Programme 2026 for bright students and researchers. This scheme offers a structured platform to gain hands-on experience in foreign trade policy and contributes to India's export promotion efforts. The internship runs for about 10 weeks and provides valuable exposure to policy formulation and implementation. Those looking for other internship opportunities can also check PM Internship Scheme which offers paid internships in top companies.

DGFT Summer Internship Scheme 2026 - Overview

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has been running an Internship Programme over the years to enable structured engagement between officers of the Directorate and young scholars and researchers with strong academic credentials. This programme brings fresh academic perspectives into the policy-making process, enabling the Directorate to critically examine its activities and undertake corrective measures in an objective manner.

For interns, the programme offers an opportunity to gain exposure to real-world policy formulation and implementation, contributing meaningfully to their career advancement and professional expertise.

Themes for Summer Internship 2026

The Summer Internship Programme 2026 is organised around two distinct thematic tracks:

DGFT Headquarters, New Delhi: "Services as the Next Export Frontier: Reimagining India's Foreign Trade Policy." This track examines how India's Foreign Trade Policy can be re-imagined to place services exports at the centre of the country's external sector strategy. Interns will engage with questions of policy architecture, regulatory enablement, market access, digital trade infrastructure, and the design of incentives and facilitation instruments.

Regional Authorities (RAs) of DGFT: "Rejuvenating Districts as Export Hubs: Strengthening Grassroots Export Competitiveness." This track focuses on the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative and building grassroots export capacity. Interns will work on district-level export ecosystems, identification and promotion of export-worthy products and services, and the role of digital platforms such as Trade Connect ePlatform (TCeP) in linking exporters at the district level to global markets.

Key Information

Benefits

Logistics Support

Necessary logistics support, taking into account functional requirements at the place of engagement, will be provided to interns by the DGFT Headquarters or Regional Authority concerned. Interns are responsible for their own travel, boarding and lodging arrangements during the internship.

Certificate

Internship certificates will be issued only after the intern has delivered the prescribed presentation and the same has been evaluated by the Head of the concerned Division or Regional Authority. No certificate will be issued in the absence of the presentation.

Recognition

The best ideas identified from amongst those presented at DGFT Headquarters and those forwarded by the Regional Authorities will be suitably rewarded by the Department.

Eligibility

To qualify for this opportunity, candidates must meet the following criteria:

The candidate must possess a graduation degree, with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate, from National Schools of Law, Central Universities, AICTE-recognised Financial/Economics Institutions, recognised National Management Institutes, Foreign Universities or other Institutions of excellence.

Candidates pursuing or having completed a Post Graduation degree in Public Policy, Economics, Finance, Management, Law, Foreign Trade, Logistics, Operations Research or Artificial Intelligence will be preferred.

Candidates who are currently pursuing their studies must produce a permission letter from their Supervisor or Head of Department at the time of joining.

Application Process

STEP 1 - Visit the official application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdK4lLWIfNk4QvjUMRcA-g7yvfGm2jCc16wG7V1B4vSPVIZgQ/viewform?usp=header and fill the online Web Form.

STEP 2 - In the application form, indicate the place of engagement opted for - either DGFT Headquarters, New Delhi or one of the 24 Regional Authorities.

STEP 3 - Prepare a précis of 1,500 to 2,000 words (excluding annexures, footnotes and references) on the theme corresponding to the place of engagement chosen. The précis must articulate original ideas on the theme, set out the problem statement, analytical approach, proposed ideas/recommendations and a brief implementation outline.

STEP 4 - Upload the précis in PDF format through the Web Form. The précis must be independently authored by the candidate and not generated by any artificial intelligence or large language model tool.

STEP 5 - Attach the candidate's curriculum vitae (CV) and a self-declaration/undertaking that the précis has been independently authored.

STEP 6 - In the case of candidates currently pursuing their studies, attach a permission letter from the Supervisor or Head of Department.

Important Dates

Selection Process

Selection to the Programme is based exclusively on a written précis prepared by the candidate on the theme corresponding to the place of engagement opted for. There is no interview.

All précis received within the prescribed timeline will be scrutinised by a Selection Committee constituted for the purpose. The Committee evaluates the précis on the basis of analytical clarity, originality of ideas, policy relevance, feasibility and quality of articulation. The decision of the Selection Committee is final and binding, and no queries will be entertained after the completion of the selection process.

Documents Required

Each application must be accompanied by:

• A duly filled Web Form
• The candidate's curriculum vitae (CV)
• The précis in PDF format (1,500-2,000 words)
• A self-declaration/undertaking that the précis has been independently authored
• In the case of candidates currently pursuing their studies, a permission letter from the Supervisor or Head of Department

Declaration of Secrecy

Interns shall furnish a Declaration of Secrecy to the Directorate or Regional Authority, in the prescribed format, prior to the commencement of their internship. Any breach of the Declaration shall entail summary termination of the internship and may invite such other action as may be permissible under law.

References

Official Notification and Guidelines PDF

Application Form Link

FAQ's

Is there any stipend or monetary payment for DGFT Summer Internship 2026?

No, there is no remuneration, stipend or any other monetary payment to interns engaged under this Programme. Interns are not treated as employees of DGFT.

How many vacancies are available under DGFT Summer Internship 2026?

Approximately 150 slots are available - 30 at DGFT Headquarters, New Delhi and 5 slots in each of the 24 Regional Authorities (totaling around 120 slots).

What is the duration of the internship?

The internship runs for approximately 10 weeks, from May 25, 2026 to July 31, 2026.

What is the application process for DGFT Summer Internship 2026?

Interested candidates must submit their application through the online Google Form link provided. Each application must include a précis of 1,500-2,000 words on the chosen theme, CV, and self-declaration.

What are the themes for Summer Internship 2026?

DGFT Headquarters theme: "Services as the Next Export Frontier: Reimagining India's Foreign Trade Policy." Regional Authorities theme: "Rejuvenating Districts as Export Hubs: Strengthening Grassroots Export Competitiveness."

Is the selection based on interview?

No, selection is based exclusively on a written précis. There is no interview process.

Will I get a certificate after completing the internship?

Yes, internship certificates will be issued after successful completion of the internship and delivery of the prescribed presentation.

Can I apply for both DGFT Headquarters and Regional Authority?

No, a candidate shall opt for either DGFT Headquarters or one Regional Authority. Only one application per candidate will be entertained.