CAG Internship Scheme 2026 is a rolling internship run by the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) for undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. Applications are accepted by email between the 1st and 20th of every month, and selected interns get placed in different functional wings of the CAG office in New Delhi and other cities.
Revised guidelines dated 05 May 2026 have replaced the older Student Internship Programme with the new CAG Internship Scheme. This internship is unpaid, lasts for at least four weeks and up to six months, and gives students direct exposure to government auditing, public finance and policy work.
CAG Internship Scheme - Introduction
Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India runs the CAG Internship Scheme through its Knowledge and Capacity Building Wing. The scheme invites bonafide students from recognized universities and institutions in India and abroad to work as interns in 21 domains, including Economics, Law, Data Management, Public Finance, Taxes and Infrastructure.
This scheme helps young students see how the Indian government works and how public sector auditing and accounting is done. Interns work with senior officers, attend seminars and presentations, and help prepare analysis reports and briefing papers. The 2026 SOP replaces all earlier internship schemes of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, including the old Student Internship Programme.
Application Process
Applications for the CAG Internship Scheme 2026 are accepted through email. Interested students can apply between the 1st and 20th of every month, and applications are processed within 10 working days.
STEP 1 - Prepare your application and clearly mention your area of interest from the list of domains in the official guidelines. Send it by email to kcbwing@cag.gov.in with a copy to aao3kcb@cag.gov.in.
STEP 2 - The Capacity Building Wing shares all applications received up to the 20th of the month with the heads of the functional wings for review and selection.
STEP 3 - Based on your profile and the requirements of the wing, you get placed in a suitable wing. If selected, the Establishment Section issues the appointment order. A candidate can apply for this internship only twice in a financial year.
STEP 4 - On joining, you get an orientation session with the Deputy or Additional Deputy C&AG of the wing, who assigns a mentor. You must produce original mark sheets and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your college or institution at the time of joining, otherwise your candidature can be cancelled.
Eligibility
Bonafide students of any recognized university or institution within India or abroad can apply for the internship. The eligibility conditions are:
- Undergraduate students who have completed or appeared in the term end exams of the second year or fourth semester of the bachelor degree course, and secured not less than 80% or equivalent marks in Class 12.
- Graduate students who have completed or appeared in the term end exams of the first year or second semester of the postgraduate programme, or students pursuing research or PhD, with not less than 60% or equivalent marks in graduation.
- Students who have appeared in the final exam or just completed graduation or PG and are waiting for admission to higher studies, provided they have 60% or more cumulative marks and the gap between the month of result declaration and the desired month of internship is not more than six months.
Internship is available throughout the year based on the requirements of the CAG office. The earlier programme had an age limit of 25 years, but the revised 2026 guidelines do not mention any age limit.
Benefits
CAG Internship Scheme 2026 is an unpaid internship. Interns do not get any stipend, TA/DA or other allowances. This is a big change from the older Student Internship Programme, which paid a monthly remuneration of ₹12,000 on completion.
What interns get is practical exposure to the working of the supreme audit institution of India. The office provides working space, internet facility and other basic necessities, while interns need to bring their own laptops. Interns who complete the full internship period with at least 75% attendance receive an Experience Certificate from the Head of the Functional Wing, which is useful for higher studies and job applications. Students looking for paid options can check the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme, which offers a monthly stipend of ₹9,000.
The internship is a temporary educational engagement. It does not create any employer-employee relationship with the CAG of India or the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, and it is not a job or permanent appointment.
Documents
At the time of joining, selected students must produce original mark sheets and the No Objection Certificate from their college or institution. The NOC must state that the student is a bonafide student and is not registered for any course that requires class attendance during the internship period.
At the end of the internship, interns must submit a brief report or paper on their learning experience to the Head of the Functional Wing. Attendance of at least 75% is required, and interns have to mark their In and Out time daily. Interns who do not complete the required period or fall below the attendance limit do not get the experience certificate.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | CAG Internship Scheme |
| Launched By | Comptroller and Auditor General of India |
| Level | Central Government |
| Beneficiaries | UG, PG and research students |
| Duration | Minimum 4 weeks, maximum 6 months |
| Stipend | Unpaid internship |
| Application Mode | Email between 1st and 20th of every month |
| Posting Location | New Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati and Rajkot |
| Official Website | cag.gov.in |
References
For complete details, read the official CAG Internship Guidelines 2026 (revised) and check the official CAG internship page. Separate guidelines are available for internship at field offices of IAAD and for internship at CAG Headquarters.
FAQ's
Is the CAG Internship paid?
No. As per the revised 2026 guidelines, the CAG Internship Scheme is unpaid. The earlier Student Internship Programme paid ₹12,000 per month, but that programme has been replaced by this scheme.
How long does the internship last?
The internship lasts for a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of six months. Interns who do not complete the required period do not get any certificate.
Who can apply for the CAG Internship Scheme 2026?
Bonafide undergraduate, postgraduate and research students of recognized universities or institutions in India or abroad can apply. Undergraduate students need 80% or equivalent marks in Class 12, while postgraduate and research students need 60% or equivalent marks in graduation.
How to apply for the CAG Internship?
Send your application by email to kcbwing@cag.gov.in with a copy to aao3kcb@cag.gov.in between the 1st and 20th of any month. Mention your area of interest clearly in the application.
What documents are required?
Original mark sheets and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the college or institution are required at the time of joining.
Is there an age limit?
The revised 2026 guidelines do not mention any age limit for the internship.
Where is the internship done?
Interns are posted at the CAG offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati and Rajkot.
Do interns get a certificate?
Yes, interns who complete the internship with at least 75% attendance receive an Experience Certificate from the Head of the Functional Wing.