Internship Programme for Women Students / Scholars / Social Activists / Teachers

What is the Internship Programme for Women Students, Scholars, Social Activists and Teachers?

The Internship Programme for Women Students / Scholars / Social Activists / Teachers is run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD), Government of India. According to the Ministry, the programme is designed to familiarise women with the Ministry's policies and programmes through a short-term association, giving them qualitative exposure while tapping their talent to contribute to policy formulation and to work on issues affecting women and children.

The programme deliberately targets women from non-metro and rural India. By excluding the largest cities and reserving places for women from smaller towns and villages, it aims to widen access to central-government policy experience for those who would otherwise rarely get it.

Who is eligible for the WCD internship?

You can apply if:

• You are a woman who is a student, scholar, social activist or teacher.
• You are enrolled in or associated with any university or academic / non-academic institution.
• You are from a non-tier-I city or a rural part of India.

The tier-I cities that are excluded are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.

You cannot apply if:

• You are male. This internship is reserved for women.
• You are from one of the tier-I cities listed above.
• You are not enrolled in or associated with any recognised university or institution in the eligible categories.

Because the programme is explicitly for women from non-metro and rural India, these conditions are strict eligibility filters rather than mere preferences.

What does the internship provide?

According to the Ministry:

• A stipend of Rs 20,000 per month.
• Travel reimbursement support.
• Shared hostel accommodation in Delhi with basic facilities, for interns who need it.

Beyond the money, the real value is the exposure — interns work alongside Ministry teams on live policy and programme issues concerning women and children, and gain a certificate and experience that support further study or a career in the social sector.

When does the internship run?

The programme is offered in four terms across the financial year:

• May–June
• August–September
• November–December
• February–March

Each term takes up to 20 interns. Applications are accepted about two months before a term begins, in a window between the 1st and 10th of the month. Exact dates for each cycle are announced on the internship portal, so applicants should watch it and apply within the open window.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the WCD internship

1. Visit the official internship portal at wcd.intern.nic.in and check the currently open term and its application window (1st to 10th of the month, about two months before the term).
2. Register and complete the online application form, entering your personal, educational and home-city details and your area of interest.
3. Upload the required documents; proof of enrolment or association, identity proof and proof that you are from a non-tier-I city or rural area.
4. Submit the application within the open window and note the acknowledgement.
5. Await selection. The Ministry shortlists up to 20 interns per batch and informs selected candidates about their placement, term and, where needed, hostel accommodation.

Help and contact

• Portal: wcd.intern.nic.in
• Ministry site: wcd.gov.in/offerings/internship
• Queries about a specific cycle should be raised through the internship portal or the Ministry of Women and Child Development. No dedicated public phone helpline is published for the internship, so applicants should use the official online channels rather than any third-party number.

This is a competitive, short-term internship for women from non-metro India, not a continuous benefit. Prospective applicants should prepare their documents in advance and apply in the exact 1st–10th window for the term they want.