Internship Policy of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)

What is the ICCR Internship Policy?

The Internship Policy of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is a short-term internship programme run by ICCR, an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs that manages India's cultural relations and soft-power diplomacy. According to ICCR, the internship gives young Indian graduates and research scholars first-hand exposure to the work of India's premier cultural diplomacy institution, based primarily at its headquarters, Azad Bhavan in New Delhi, and its regional offices.

The programme is small and selective. A maximum of 15 interns are engaged across a year, each for a limited period, making this a competitive opportunity rather than a mass programme. It is aimed at students and early researchers interested in international relations, culture and India's global engagement.

How much does the ICCR internship pay and how long is it?

According to the ICCR internship details:

• Honorarium: a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000.
• Travel support: a one-time travel support in addition to the honorarium.
• Duration: each intern is engaged for a maximum of four months.
• Number of interns: a maximum of 15 interns during the course of a year.

Over a full four-month engagement, the honorarium can total up to about Rs 40,000, plus the one-time travel support. The internship is a learning and exposure opportunity, not a permanent or salaried post.

Interns are placed primarily at ICCR's headquarters, Azad Bhavan, in New Delhi, and may be attached to its regional offices depending on the requirement. The work centres on ICCR's mandate of cultural diplomacy: managing cultural exchanges, scholarships for foreign students, festivals of India abroad, and academic and people-to-people links. This makes the internship particularly relevant for those studying international relations, area studies, history, arts and culture, and foreign languages. It is worth being clear that this internship is separate from ICCR's well-known scholarship schemes, under which foreign students study in India; those scholarships are a different programme with their own eligibility and application route.

Who is eligible for the ICCR internship?

You can apply if you:

• Are an Indian citizen.
• Are aged not more than 25 years as on 31 December of the internship year.
• Hold a graduation degree from a recognised university. Postgraduate students, research scholars and foreign-language students are also eligible.
• Have an excellent academic track record.

You cannot apply if you:

• Are a foreign national. This internship requires Indian citizenship. (ICCR runs separate scholarship schemes for foreign students, which are different from this internship.)
• Are over the age limit of 25 as on 31 December of the year, or do not hold the required qualification.

According to ICCR, research scholars with a formal background in International Relations and soft-power projection are given preference, depending on ICCR's requirement at the time. Meeting the basic eligibility does not guarantee selection, given the cap of 15 interns a year.

How to apply for the ICCR internship

The internship is filled when ICCR advertises it, not through a permanent open form. To apply:

1. Watch the ICCR website (iccr.gov.in) and its notices for the internship call, including the eligibility, number of positions and deadline.
2. Prepare your documents — proof of graduation or current study, academic records, and proof of age and Indian citizenship.
3. Write a resume or statement of interest, highlighting any background in international relations, culture or soft-power themes.
4. Submit your application to ICCR in the manner specified in the advertisement, before the stated deadline.
5. Await selection: ICCR shortlists on academic merit and its requirements, giving preference to relevant research backgrounds, and engages the selected interns for up to four months.

What documents are required?

Is this the right guide for you?

The ICCR Internship is a niche, short-duration opportunity for young Indian graduates and researchers interested in cultural diplomacy, with only 15 seats a year. If you are a foreign national, this internship is not for you, but ICCR's scholarship schemes for international students may be. If you are an Indian graduate or research scholar under 25 with a strong record and an interest in international relations, watch the ICCR website for the next call and apply as soon as it opens.