NITI Aayog Internship Scheme: Complete Guide for Law and Policy Students

NITI Aayog is the Government of India’s premier policy think tank. It offers a structured internship scheme for undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and research scholars. This NITI Aayog internship gives selected candidates direct exposure to public policy formulation and governance processes. Interns work closely with policy professionals across various Verticals, Divisions, and Units of the organisation.

About the Internship

NITI Aayog attaches interns to specific divisions based on their academic background and research interests. Interns work on live assignments relating to developmental policy, programme monitoring, data analysis, and policy documentation. Because NITI Aayog operates at the centre of India’s policymaking, this internship particularly benefits students interested in public policy, regulatory research, or economic reform. Law students exploring policy and regulatory work as a career path will also find it valuable.

Eligibility Criteria

• Undergraduate students: Must have completed at least 2 years of study in a recognised course (Economics, Law, Engineering, Management, Social Sciences, and similar fields). Must have scored at least 85% in Class 12.
• Postgraduate students: Must be enrolled in a full-time PG course with strong academic records. Must have scored 70% or more in graduation.
• Research scholars: Must be enrolled in a recognised university or institution, in India or abroad.
• The gap between your final exam result declaration and your intended internship start month cannot exceed 6 months.

Duration

The internship runs for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months. The exact duration depends on the division’s requirements.

Mode

This is an on-site internship, based at NITI Aayog’s office in New Delhi.

Stipend

This internship is unpaid. NITI Aayog does not provide any stipend, TA/DA, or accommodation. Its value lies in the exposure to government functioning, live policy work, and the official experience certificate it offers.

Application Window

NITI Aayog accepts applications only from the 1st to the 10th of every month, and only through online mode. To begin an internship in a given month, you can typically apply anywhere between 6 months and 2 months in advance, depending on the intake cycle.

Application Procedure

You must apply exclusively through the official NITI Aayog internship portal. NITI Aayog does not accept any other mode of application. During the process, you’ll need to indicate your preferred area of interest from the list NITI Aayog specifies. The Heads of Verticals, Divisions, or Units then review applications. Each division can take a maximum of 3 interns at a time.

👉 Apply Here

Selection Process

The concerned Adviser makes the final decision on a candidate’s suitability. If selected, you must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your Head of Department or Principal. This NOC must confirm that no coursework requiring attendance will overlap with your internship period. NITI Aayog verifies the original NOC and mark sheets at the time of joining. Any discrepancy can lead to cancellation of your internship offer.

Attendance and Certification

You must maintain at least 75% attendance throughout the internship. On successful completion, the Adviser of your division issues a certificate.

Logistics

You must bring your own laptop. In return, NITI Aayog provides working space and internet facilities during the internship period.

Why This Internship Matters

A NITI Aayog internship carries significant weight for students interested in policy, governance, or regulatory work. It offers direct exposure to how national-level policy actually gets formulated. Even though it’s unpaid, it remains one of the most sought-after government internships in India. It also builds credibility that strengthens future applications for both public and private sector roles.

Explore More Opportunities

If you’re preparing your application, check out our guide on how to convert your internship into a PPO. You can also explore the highest-paying law firms in India for freshers if you’re weighing corporate options too.

Not sure if this internship fits your career direction? Ask a mentor directly on The LawCademy’s QnA Mentorship Segment for real, practice-based guidance.