DESW Internship Scheme

What is the DESW Internship Scheme?

The DESW Internship Scheme is an internship programme of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW), which sits within the Ministry of Defence. According to the scheme guidelines, the programme engages Indian youth as interns so that they gain firsthand experience and understanding of the welfare, healthcare, resettlement and administrative schemes that the government runs for ex-servicemen and their families.

The internship is built around a research assignment. Each intern is given a specific topic, undertakes a structured study, and submits a final report that may contribute to policy or programme improvements. The internship runs for a minimum of 2 months and a maximum of 12 months, and positions are available through the year depending on DESW's requirements.

This is a Tier 3, tightly focused scheme. It is not a broad stipend or scholarship programme; it is a route for a small number of students to work on veteran-welfare research inside a government department. The published benefits are experiential rather than financial: exposure to the subject, a structured research assignment, a completion certificate and the possibility that a good report is published with credit to the intern. The scheme document does not specify a stipend amount, so prospective applicants should confirm any remuneration directly with DESW rather than assume one.

Key features of the DESW Internship Scheme

• Run by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence.
• Open to graduate and postgraduate students from any recognised university and any academic stream.
• Duration of 2 to 12 months, available throughout the year.
• Interns produce a structured research report on a veteran-welfare topic.
• Ends with a certificate of successful completion; selected reports may be published.

Who is eligible for the DESW Internship Scheme?

You can apply if:

• You are a citizen of India.
• You are a graduate or postgraduate student of a recognised university or institution, in any academic stream.
• You can provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your parent institution along with the application (the NOC may be submitted before joining).

You cannot apply if:

• You are not a student of a recognised university or institution at the graduate or postgraduate level.
• You cannot obtain the NOC from your institution, which is a mandatory part of the application.

The scheme deliberately keeps the academic-stream requirement open, so students of law, social sciences, public policy, management and other disciplines can all apply, as long as they are graduate or postgraduate students.

What work do DESW interns do?

DESW interns are assigned specific topics connected to veteran affairs. According to the scheme's scope of work, these include:

• Welfare schemes for ex-servicemen and their families.
• Resettlement and rehabilitation programmes for veterans.
• Healthcare policies for ex-servicemen.
• Administrative processes and challenges in veteran affairs.

The intern studies the assigned topic and submits a final report to the designated officer. For completion and certification, this report must be submitted and found satisfactory.

What documents are required for the DESW internship?

How to apply for the DESW Internship Scheme

The application is made online through a Google Form that is linked from the DESW website. The steps set out in the scheme guidelines are:

1. Visit the official DESW website at desw.gov.in.
2. Open the Scheme menu and select DESW Internship Scheme; the scheme guidelines open in a new tab.
3. In the guidelines, click the highlighted "Click Here" link, which opens the Google Form proforma of application for the DESW Internship Scheme.
4. Fill in your details; name, parent's name, date of birth, nationality, correspondence address, mobile number, and your Class 10, 12, graduation and post-graduation details with year of passing, percentage and university.
5. Select the internship duration (2 months to 1 year), choose your areas of interest, and state whether you have previously interned with any government body.
6. Write a Statement of Purpose of up to 200 words, agree to the applicant's undertaking, select the NOC option (not applicable, or will submit before joining), review your entries and submit the form.

Candidates who are approved for interview are required to submit a hard copy of their resume, the Statement of Purpose (maximum 200 words) and the No Objection Certificate from their institution.

Help and where to check details

Because internship availability depends on DESW's ongoing requirements, applicants should always check the current guidelines and application link on the official DESW website at desw.gov.in before applying. General queries about the scheme listing can also be directed to the myScheme helpdesk at 011-24303714 (9:00 AM to 5:30 PM). As the scheme document does not state a stipend, do not rely on any third-party claim of a fixed payment — confirm remuneration, if any, with the Department itself.