The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has launched its two-week Online Short-Term Internship Programme in September 2026. A hundred university students from different fields of study have been chosen from more than a thousand applicants to take part. The programme began on 14 September 2026 at Manav Adhikar Bhawan in New Delhi.
Programme Details
The internship runs for two weeks and includes approximately 30 lectures delivered by 20 speakers. These speakers come from various backgrounds including senior government officials, university teachers, people working in civil society organisations, human rights advocates, NHRC staff members, representatives from international bodies and specialists in relevant fields.
Beyond classroom learning, the interns will make virtual visits to institutions such as police stations and Tihar Prison. These visits aim to help participants understand how such institutions work and what challenges they face.
NHRC leadership stressed that the programme should help interns view society through the lens of human rights. Justice V. Ramasubramanian, the Chairperson, emphasised that learning to understand different interpretations of events and developing informed awareness would enable them to contribute meaningfully to society.
Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi noted that while students may have theoretical knowledge, gaining practical experience in applying human rights values is essential. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, another member, pushed interns to move beyond textbook learning and engage directly with communities, emphasising that principles like Justice, Equality, Liberty and Fraternity should become real practices rather than remaining only words.
What This Means for You
If you are a university student interested in human rights work, this internship offers hands-on exposure to the field through talks by experienced professionals and virtual site visits. The programme helps you understand how human rights principles apply to real institutions and communities rather than remaining abstract concepts. Participating gives you insights into career paths in human rights advocacy, government work and civil society organisations.