NHRC starts 2-week online internship programme for 80 university students

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India started its Online Short Term Internship Programme (OSTI) for March 2026. Around 1,147 applicants from 17 states and Union Territories took part, of which only 80 university-level students from different academic backgrounds have been shortlisted.

The duration of the OSTI programme is two weeks and the programme will conclude on March 20, 2026.

Selected interns will interact with experienced practitioners in the field of human rights. The objective of the programme is to develop the interns as ambassadors of human rights.

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Urging the interns to make best use of the two week programme, Bharat Lal, secretary general, NHRC, said: “Use the two weeks to sensitise themselves so that they could recognise injustice wherever it occurs and identify discrimination, whether systemic or otherwise.”

“The country belongs to its citizens and it is their collective responsibility to uphold the dignity of every individual and make it a better and more beautiful place. He emphasised that the idea of a “Developed India” should be reflected in the everyday experiences people have at home, in schools, colleges, hostels, workplaces and public spaces,” Lal added.

According to Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak, India Joint Secretary, NHRC, the online internship will include lectures, team and individual competitions such as group research project presentation, book review and declamation competition and virtual tours of institutions such as Tihar Shelter Home and Police Station to offer insights into their functioning.