This Internship Experience has been submitted by Anvesha Singh!
Name
Anvesha Singh
Name of the College
Bharati Vidyapeeth University, New Law College, Pune, Maharashtra
Name of the Organisation
National Human Rights Commission, Manav Adhikar Bhawan, Block-C, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi-110 023 (INDIA)
Duration of Internship
22nd September, 2025 – 3rd October, 2025
How did you apply?
I applied through NHRC’s website [nhrc.nic.in], which provides applications for the Short Term Internship Programme. Using the “Apply Online” tab, applications can be submitted directly. The eligibility criteria required students to be in the third year or above of an integrated five-year course, the final year of a three-year degree, or enrolled in a postgraduate or diploma program, with a minimum of 60% marks throughout their academic record.
As part of the process, I submitted a 250-word Statement of Purpose (SOP) outlining my motivation for joining the internship and my interest in human rights. The SOP was a crucial part of the selection process and had to reflect not only the applicant’s interest in the field but also their research potential. It was recommended to include details of curricular and co-curricular activities, moot courts, internships, and research projects to strengthen the application and demonstrate genuine engagement with legal and social issues.
In addition to the SOP, I uploaded self-attested scanned copies of mark sheets from Class 10 onwards and a Letter of Recommendation from my Head of Department, confirming my academic performance and suitability for the internship. The selection was primarily merit-based, with emphasis on the quality of the SOP and overall academic consistency. I later received confirmation of my selection for the September 2025 online batch of the NHRC Internship Programme via email.
First-Day Formalities, Infrastructure, and First Impression
The NHRC Online Short-Term Internship Programme was a full-time internship conducted from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. The first day began with an inaugural session led by senior officials of the Commission, starting with the NHRC anthem, followed by a welcoming address that introduced the structure and objectives of the internship. We were informed that nearly 897 applications had been received, out of which only 80 interns were selected, making being part of the batch feel quite special.
The day included an orientation on the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, and interactive sessions explaining the functioning of the Law Division and Investigation Division of the Commission. These sessions gave us a clear idea of how NHRC operates and the diverse areas of work it handles. The final session of the day was a JRC session, designed to help students understand how to conduct group research work that would later be presented as part of the internship assessment.
As the internship was entirely online, there were no physical formalities or infrastructure to describe. However, the sessions were well-coordinated, punctual, and ran smoothly on digital platforms. With two short 15-minute breaks and a 1-hour lunch break, the day felt balanced, engaging, and well-paced for an online academic setup.
Main Tasks
During the NHRC Online Short-Term Internship Programme, I attended lectures on various human rights topics, including the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, refugee rights, forensic science, rights of the elderly, prison reforms, food security, sustainable development, right to health, professional ethics, labour rights, media and human rights, child and juvenile rights, women’s rights, rights of persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ rights.
The internship included a virtual visit to Tihar Jail to understand prison reforms. Academic activities included a Book Review Competition, where I submitted a 500–750 word review and gave a 3-minute oral presentation. My group also completed a Research Project on “Right to Privacy in the Age of Information and Technology,” preparing a 3,500–4,000 word proposal and a 15-minute presentation with slides.
Additionally, we participated in a Declamation Competition, speaking for two minutes after one minute of preparation. The results for all activities were announced at the end, concluding a highly engaging and enriching internship.
Work Environment
The internship was conducted entirely online, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, and the work environment was highly professional and well-organized. Despite being virtual, the sessions were engaging and interactive, covering a wide range of human rights topics with experts and senior officials. Short breaks and a lunch break were scheduled thoughtfully, allowing interns to stay focused throughout the day.
At the end of each session, we had the opportunity to ask questions, which made the learning experience highly interactive. I personally had the chance to clarify my doubts with the founder of the Naz Foundation, a retired IPS officer, the former Director General, and the Protector of Sex Workers.
The environment encouraged active participation and collaboration on group research projects. Mentors and coordinators were supportive, providing guidance for academic activities such as the book review, group research project, and declamation competition. Overall, the online setup was smooth, structured, and intellectually stimulating, fostering learning, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Good Things about the Internship
The NHRC Online Short-Term Internship was highly enriching and offered comprehensive exposure to various aspects of human rights. One of the highlights was the diversity of sessions. The internship provided direct interaction with esteemed experts. The virtual visit to Tihar Jail was a completely new experience, offering practical insight into prison reforms.
The programme also allowed interaction with other interns from across India, which helped in exchanging ideas and perspectives. Along with activities like the book review competition, declamation, and group research project, these experiences enhanced my research, analytical, and presentation skills. Overall, the internship gave me a holistic understanding of NHRC and was intellectually stimulating, supportive, and motivating.
Bad Things about the Internship
Since the internship was entirely online, there was limited personal interaction with mentors and peers compared to an in-person setting. At times, it was challenging to maintain focus for the full day due to long virtual sessions. The schedule was quite intensive, with multiple sessions back-to-back, leaving limited time for reflection between lectures. Additionally, while the online platform functioned smoothly overall, occasional technical glitches slightly interrupted the flow of sessions. Despite these minor limitations, the overall experience remained highly valuable and rewarding.
Monthly Stipend
- Each intern received a stipend of Rs. 2,000 upon successful completion of the internship. In addition, several competitions offered special awards.
- For the Book Review Competition, the top five performers were awarded books on human rights valued at Rs. 1,000 or less.
- In the Group Research Project, five projects were selected for recognition, with the first prize being Rs. 15,000 for the group, the second prize Rs. 10,000, and the third prize Rs. 5,000.
- Similarly, the Declamation Competition recognised the top five participants with books on human rights valued at Rs. 1,000 or less.
These awards added motivation and recognition for outstanding performance during the programme.
Details about the accommodation, commuting to the office
The internship was conducted entirely online over 14 days, with Saturdays and Sundays off, so no accommodation or commuting was required. Interns could participate from home, saving travel time and expenses. The virtual setup was well-organised, with smooth digital platforms for lectures, competitions, and group projects, allowing for effective and productive learning throughout the structured schedule.
Anything else you want to share?
During my internship batch, we had one day off for Dussehra. The programme encouraged interaction with peers from across India and included the unique experience of a virtual visit to Tihar Jail. Learning directly from esteemed experts was highly enriching. Daily attendance was mandatory, and cameras had to be on at all times, although exceptions were allowed in cases of technical issues. Overall, the internship was intellectually stimulating, enjoyable, and strengthened my research, presentation, and critical thinking skills.
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