Ministry of Women and Child Development is running the Internship Programme for Women Students, Scholars, Social Activists and Teachers for the year 2026. The programme takes in women from non-tier-I cities and rural areas for a two-month paid internship, and the next application window opens on the official portal from 1 September to 10 September 2026 for the November-December 2026 batch.
Selected interns work directly with the Ministry in Delhi and get a monthly stipend of ₹20,000, which comes to ₹40,000 for the full two months. Travel cost for joining and return is reimbursed, and shared hostel stay in Delhi is also arranged for interns who need it.
The idea behind this scheme is simple. Women students, scholars, teachers and social activists get first-hand exposure to how government policies for women and children are made and put into action. They can take up pilot projects or micro-studies on the Ministry's ongoing work and submit a report at the end of the programme.
Internship Programme for Women Students / Scholars / Social Activists / Teachers - Introduction
Internship Programme for Women Students / Scholars / Social Activists / Teachers gives women from smaller cities and villages a chance to work with the Ministry of Women and Child Development on real policy work. The Ministry picks up to 20 interns for every batch, and batches run through the year, so applicants can choose the batch that suits them.
The programme follows the government's vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. Interns bring fresh views on issues related to women and children, and in return they get a full understanding of how national welfare schemes are designed and managed. Women looking for similar opportunities can also check the NITI Internship Scheme for other government internship options.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Internship Programme for Women Students / Scholars / Social Activists / Teachers |
| Launched By | Ministry of Women and Child Development |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Women and Child |
| Benefit Type | Cash (Stipend) |
| Stipend | ₹20,000 per month (₹40,000 for 2 months) |
| Duration | 2 months |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | wcd.gov.in |
Benefits
Interns get a good mix of cash support and practical help during the two-month programme. These are the main benefits:
- Monthly stipend of ₹20,000, which adds up to ₹40,000 for the full two-month period.
- Travel cost reimbursement by Deluxe/AC Bus or 3 Tier AC Train for joining the programme in Delhi and for the return journey home.
- Travel expenses and daily allowance at government rates if an intern has to travel for official programme work.
- An official internship certificate after successful completion, which needs submission or presentation of the work report.
- Shared hostel stay in Delhi for the programme period, from 2 days before the start to 2 days after the end.
- Logistical support like a dedicated workspace, internet and stationery, with an assigned Internship Coordinator for guidance.
Hostel accommodation is optional and comes with basic facilities like triple sharing rooms with attached bathroom, bed, table, chair and cupboard. Mess charges are not part of the accommodation, so interns have to bear their own food cost.
Eligibility
The programme is made for women from non-tier-I cities and rural parts of India. Check these points before applying:
- The applicant must be a woman student, scholar, social activist or teacher.
- She should belong to a non-tier-I city or a rural area. Tier-I cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune are not eligible.
- She needs to be currently enrolled in or associated with a recognized university, academic or non-academic institution.
- Her age must be between 21 and 40 years.
Example: Sunita, a teacher from a rural district in Bihar, is 32 years old and works with a local educational NGO. Since she fits the age and professional criteria, she is eligible to apply for this programme.
Application Process
Applications are accepted only on the official portal at wcd.intern.nic.in. The window opens on the 1st of the month and closes on the 10th, two months before the batch starts. For example, 1-10 June is for the August-September batch, 1-10 September is for the November-December batch, 1-10 December is for the February-March batch, and 1-10 March is for the May-June batch. Applications for the August-September 2026 batch closed on 10 June 2026. The next window, for the November-December 2026 batch, is from 1 September to 10 September 2026.
STEP 1 - Go to the official internship portal and click on the Register button to create your account with your name, email ID and mobile number.
STEP 2 - Log in to the portal using the credentials you created, and open your profile page.
STEP 3 - Upload a recent passport-size photograph and update your personal details in the profile.
STEP 4 - Fill in the application form with your education details, institution name and other required information.
STEP 5 - Check all the details once, then submit the application online before the 10th of the month. Keep a copy of the application number for future reference.
Once selected for a batch, an intern cannot apply for any later batch. Selection is done by a Selection Committee formed by the Ministry.
Documents
Keep these documents ready before you start filling the application form:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Valid ID proof like Aadhaar card or Voter ID
- Address proof
- Scanned signature
- Highest educational degree or certificate
- Current joining letter or Bonafide certificate from the institution for teachers, scholars and social activists
References
FAQ's
What is the primary goal of the Internship Programme?
This scheme lets interns work with the Ministry of Women and Child Development to improve the implementation of government policies and research work focused on the welfare of women and children.
Can I choose the timing of my internship?
Yes. You can select your preferred two-month batch from the sessions available through the year, like May-June, August-September, November-December or February-March.
How many interns are selected per batch?
The Ministry selects up to 20 interns for each batch.
What financial support is provided?
Interns get a lump sum stipend of ₹20,000 per month, which is ₹40,000 for the two-month programme, along with travel reimbursement and optional hostel facility as per the guidelines.
Do I get a certificate after the program?
Yes. The Ministry gives an internship certificate to all interns who successfully complete their assigned tasks and submit or present their work report.
Who qualifies for this internship?
Women who are students, scholars, social activists or teachers, living in non-tier-I cities or rural areas, and aged between 21 and 40, are eligible.
When is the application window for each batch?
Applications open from the 1st to the 10th of the month, two months before the batch starts. For example, 1-10 June for August-September and 1-10 September for November-December.
How do I apply?
You can apply only through the official online portal at wcd.intern.nic.in. There is no offline application process.
Can a selected intern apply again for the next batch?
No. Once selected for a batch, an intern is not eligible to apply for any subsequent batch.
Can an intern claim a job in the Ministry after the internship?
No. The internship offer is not a job offer and does not create any claim for a future job in the Ministry.
Can an intern take leave during the programme?
Leave is not allowed during the internship except on medical grounds certified by a doctor or for unavoidable circumstances. Leave for appearing in examinations is not covered.
Who should I contact for help or grievances?
You can email the Ministry at mwcd-research@gov.in for any help or grievance related to the internship.