WCD Ministry Opens 2026 Paid Internship for Women from Non-Tier-I Cities and Rural India
New Delhi. : The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 paid internship programme, offering women students, scholars, educators and social activists a structured opportunity to engage with public policy, research and field-based initiatives related to women and children.
Applications for the upcoming February–March 2026 term are open from December 1 to 10, 2025, and must be submitted exclusively through the ministry’s official portal. This cycle places a special emphasis on selecting women from non-Tier-I cities and rural regions, ensuring wider representation from underserved communities.
A Platform to Experience Policy in Action
The internship aims to familiarise participants with government schemes, flagship programmes and institutional processes. Selected interns will work on short-term assignments, which may include pilot projects, micro-studies, data analysis, field interactions and preparation of policy-related documents.
Through this experience, the ministry seeks to nurture a pool of young professionals capable of contributing to research, reporting and policy evaluation in the social development sector. Interns may also interact with officials responsible for implementing government schemes and with stakeholders from partner ministries and organisations.
The initiative is designed not only to bridge information gaps but also to equip interns with the knowledge and confidence to raise issues concerning women and children in public forums.
Eligibility & Age Criteria
- The programme is open exclusively to women aged 21 to 40 years.
Eligible applicants include:
- Students
- Research scholars
- Teachers
- Social activists
- associated with academic or non-academic institutions.
For this cycle, only candidates residing in non-Tier-I or rural areas can apply.
Stipend & Support
- Selected interns will receive a monthly stipend of ₹20,000.
The ministry will also:
- Reimburse internship-related travel expenses
- Provide hostel accommodation in Delhi, ensuring accessibility for participants from smaller towns and rural districts.
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted online between December 1 and 10, 2025.
- The ministry has clarified that once a candidate completes the internship, she will not be eligible to reapply for future cycles.
This initiative reflects the MWCD’s focus on capacity-building, grassroots representation and nurturing future contributors to India’s social policy ecosystem.
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