The Ministry of Women and Child Development has announced applications for its paid internship programme, offering women scholars, students and activists structured exposure to policy and field-level work related to women and child welfare.

The February–March 2026 cycle is open exclusively to women from rural areas and non-Tier-I cities, with the application window running from December 1 to 10, 2025 through the ministry’s official portal.

Designed to build capacity in public policy and programme implementation, the internship will allow participants to engage in research, scheme analysis, data-driven reporting and field visits.

Selected interns may take on micro-studies or pilot projects aligned with ongoing government initiatives, offering firsthand experience of how welfare programmes operate at the institutional and ground level.

Women between 21 and 40 years of age are eligible to apply. Applicants must be connected to an academic institution or affiliated as teachers, researchers or social-sector activists.

The ministry says the internship aims to foster new perspectives in social development and create a pipeline of young professionals equipped to contribute to policy advocacy and public systems. Interns will also have opportunities to interact with ministry officials and partner organisations working on flagship national schemes.

Participants selected for the programme will receive a stipend of ₹20,000 per month, along with travel reimbursement. Hostel accommodation in Delhi will be provided to ensure access for women from smaller towns and underserved regions. Once selected, a candidate cannot reapply for future internship cycles.