New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is continuing its efforts to educate students about human rights. As part of this initiative, it will provide internships to 80 students across the country through its Winter Internship Program (WIP) 2025. The one-month internship program is scheduled to begin on December 15th.
The NHRC is entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and improving human rights under Section 12(h) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. In accordance with this mandate, it has conducted the Winter and Summer Internship Programs (WIPs) since 1998 and 2000, respectively.
The rights organization is promoting human rights principles using various promotional strategies, including joint training programs with various educational institutions, government administrative and training agencies, civil society groups, and non-governmental organizations.
The NHRC stated that, based on the experience of previous internship programs, a maximum of 80 students will be admitted to the Winter Internship Program 2025 this year. Additionally, 20 students from the Delhi and NCR region may be placed on a waiting list. The human rights organization stated that if an intern leaves the internship, students on the waiting list may be called to join the internship before the second day of the Winter Internship Program.
Who can apply for the internship?
According to the NHRC, students who have completed the first year and are pursuing the second or third year of the LLB (three-year) course, students who have completed the third or sixth semester of the five-year integrated BA LLB, BBA LLB course and are pursuing the fourth or fifth year, and students pursuing the LLM course can apply.
PG Diploma in Human Rights, MA in Human Rights, PG students in Political Science, Sociology, Social Work (MSW), Criminology, Public Administration, Rural Development, History, Economics, Commerce, Anthropology, Mass Communication, International Relations, and any other social science discipline will be considered. Only students pursuing regular courses from UGC-accredited universities will be eligible.
In addition, students must have secured a minimum of 65% marks in all semesters of the degree programs attended from class 12th onwards. All applications must be accompanied by a recommendation letter bearing the name, signature, date, and rubber stamp and seal of the Principal/Head of Department or Dean of the institution where the applicant is studying.
Winter Internship Program Structure
The program will consist of approximately 65-75 sessions on various human rights issues. These include classroom sessions, interactions with the Chairperson, members, and senior officials; research project work on human rights issues; book review activities; viewing films on human rights; and discussions on issues such as child labor, anti-trafficking, elder rights, health, and education.
Additionally, it includes field visits to police stations, prisons, NGOs, Parliament House, the National Commission for Women, Minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the National Green Tribunal, the National Legal Services Authority, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and the Supreme Court.
All selected interns who successfully complete the internship will receive a stipend of ₹12,000. The deadline for submitting applications is November 4th. Submissions must be made through the NHRC website.
Student Perspective
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Jayshree Dutta said that the internship program provides an opportunity for students interested in human rights. She said, “Such internship programs provide an opportunity for students interested in human rights. This will help them gain in-depth knowledge about human rights issues.”
