Sahakar Mitra: NCDC Scheme on Internship Programme

Sahakar Mitra: NCDC Scheme on Internship Programme gives young graduates a chance to gain hands-on experience in the cooperative sector with the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). For SIP 2026, NCDC has revised the internship structure, and selected interns now receive total support of ₹50,000 for a two-month internship as per the corporation's letter dated 20 July 2026.

Registration for Sahakar Mitra internship is open online at the official SIP portal sip.ncdc.in. Professional graduates and students of MBA, M.Com, MCA and chartered accountancy courses can apply, provided their qualifications are recommended by the Head of Department of a UGC, AICTE or ICAR recognized institution.

Sahakar Mitra: NCDC Scheme on Internship Programme - Introduction

Sahakar Mitra works as a bridge for professional graduates to get practical exposure to the functioning of NCDC and cooperatives. It was introduced in 2012-13 as the Summer Internship Programme and was later made broader to cover more students and states. The scheme encourages young talent to understand the cooperative business model and contribute to the growth of the sector.

For example, if Rahul is an MBA Agri-Business student, he can join this scheme to understand how cooperatives operate at the ground level and help them improve their business operations. Interns work under a mentor and are placed at NCDC Head Office, LINAC or Regional Offices based on their preference and the requirement of the corporation.

Main aims of the Sahakar Mitra internship are:

• Give professional graduates deep exposure to the role, contribution and impact of NCDC and cooperatives.
• Help professional graduates learn the practical working of NCDC and cooperatives.
• Orient young professionals to the cooperative business model and support start-up cooperatives.
• Prepare graduates for leadership and entrepreneur roles in Farmer Producer Organizations set up under Cooperative Acts.
• Support needy cooperatives in preparing business plans and project reports.

Key Information

What Is New in SIP 2026

NCDC released an update for Sahakar Mitra Scheme for Internship Programme (SIP) 2026 dated 20 July 2026. As per this update, candidates selected under SIP 2026 will now serve a two-month internship instead of four months. This change was approved by the Board of NCDC in its 237th meeting held on 20 April 2026.

Stipend has also been revised. Interns now get a monthly consolidated amount of ₹20,000 for two months, which totals ₹40,000, plus a lump sum of ₹10,000 for report preparation. Total support under the revised structure stands at ₹50,000.

Important notice: while filling the application form on the Sahakar Mitra web portal, candidates must attach scanned copies of their marksheets starting from 12th standard onwards. New candidates can register and existing candidates can log in on the same portal.

Eligibility

A candidate needs a professional qualification recommended by the Head of Department of a UGC, AICTE or ICAR recognized university or institution. Eligible degrees include bachelor's in Agri, Dairy, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Sciences, Fisheries, Horticulture, Textiles, Handloom or IT.

Professionals who have completed or are pursuing MBA in Agri Business, Cooperative Management, Finance, International Trade, Forestry, Rural Development or Project Management, along with M.Com and MCA students, can also apply. Candidates with Inter ICAI or Inter ICWA qualifications are considered too. A person cannot take this internship more than once.

Benefits and Financial Support

NCDC provides structured financial support to interns for the full internship period. The revised stipend for SIP 2026 is given below.

The last monthly installment is released only after the intern successfully completes the internship and submits the required reports. Interns must submit 5 copies of a fair typed report in bound form along with a soft copy to NCDC.

Tenure and Location

Internship period is two months as per the SIP 2026 update, and it is flexible in nature. It starts from the date the intern joins at the designated place of posting.

NCDC limits the program to not more than 60 interns at a time across Regional Offices, LINAC and Head Office. A Regional Office can host a maximum of two interns at a time, and a maximum of two interns can be recommended from a particular institution in a year.

Application Process

Application for Sahakar Mitra is online only. Follow these steps to register on the SIP portal:

STEP 1 - Visit the official Sahakar Mitra portal at sip.ncdc.in and click on New Registration.

STEP 2 - Provide basic details such as name, date of birth and contact information in the registration form.

STEP 3 - Verify the email address using the link sent to the inbox and log in with the email and password.

STEP 4 - Fill the Sahakar Mitra Internship Application Form and upload the required documents, including scanned copies of marksheets from 12th standard onwards.

STEP 5 - Review the details, accept the declaration and submit the form to receive a reference number.

Selection and Reporting

A committee shortlists possible interns on the basis of their bio-data and recommendations of the sponsoring institutions. Selected candidates are informed through a joining letter, and a mentor is assigned to guide them through the internship period.

An intern is expected to focus on a cooperative and prepare a business plan or project report on expansion of the business of the cooperative society. The written report must be submitted within two weeks of completing the internship. All reports submitted become the property of NCDC, and interns cannot use the findings for publication.

Internship is not an employment and gives no right or claim for appointment with NCDC. Interns must keep all information confidential during and after the internship period.

Documents

Keep the following documents ready before applying:

• Recent passport-size photograph.
• Formal recommendation letter from the Head of Department.
• Valid identity proof.
• Educational certificates and scanned copies of marksheets from 12th standard onwards.
• Active email ID and personal mobile number.

Contact Info

NCDC Head Office is located at 4, Siri Institutional Area, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016. The HRD Division can be reached at 011-26567956 or 011-26567140 and on email hrd@ncdc.in.

Along with Sahakar Mitra, eligible students can also check other internship openings such as the EPFO internship scheme and the National Renewable Energy Internship Scheme on Sarkari Yojana.

References

SIP 2026 Letter to Interns | Guidelines (English) | Guidelines (Hindi) | Official NCDC Website | New Registration Portal | Intern Login Portal | PIB Release on Sahakar Mitra

FAQ's

What is Sahakar Mitra internship?

Sahakar Mitra is a scheme by NCDC that gives professional graduates practical exposure to the cooperative sector through a short-term internship at NCDC offices.

Who can apply for this internship?

Graduates in Agri, Dairy, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Sciences, Fisheries, Horticulture, Textiles, Handloom or IT, and professionals in MBA, M.Com, MCA, Inter ICAI or Inter ICWA, with a Head of Department recommendation from a UGC, AICTE or ICAR recognized institution can apply.

What is the duration of the internship now?

As per the SIP 2026 update, the internship period is two months, starting from the date of joining at the place of posting.

How much financial support will I receive?

Interns receive ₹50,000 in total, which includes a monthly consolidated amount of ₹20,000 for two months (₹40,000) and a lump sum of ₹10,000 for report preparation.

Can I repeat the internship?

No. A person cannot take the Sahakar Mitra internship more than once in a lifetime.

Where will I be placed?

NCDC places interns at its Head Office, LINAC or Regional Offices depending on their preference and the requirement of the corporation.