NHRC kicks off February 2026 online internship; 80 university students selected from over 1,100 applicants

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has launched its first Online Short Term Internship Programme (OSTI) for 2026, with 80 university students selected from a pool of 1,114 applicants across 19 States and Union Territories.

The two-week programme, which began on Tuesday, will run until February 13, 2026, and brings together students from diverse academic disciplines, reflecting growing interest among youth in human rights education and advocacy.

The internship was inaugurated by NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian, in the presence of Secretary General Bharat Lal and senior officials of the Commission. Addressing the interns, Justice Ramasubramanian said the programme is designed to familiarise students with the promotion and protection of human rights, in line with NHRC’s statutory mandate.

He encouraged participants to approach the internship not merely as an academic exercise but as an opportunity for personal growth, stressing that compassion and forgiveness have long been embedded in India’s civilisational values. Drawing from ancient Indian texts, he underlined the importance of empathy in shaping responsible individuals and professionals.

Justice Ramasubramanian urged the interns to fully utilise the exposure offered during the programme and to cultivate sensitivity towards the suffering of others, noting that meaningful professional excellence must be rooted in human values.

Earlier, Secretary General Bharat Lal highlighted that the internship aims to sensitise young minds and prepare them to emerge as advocates and ambassadors of human rights. He advised interns to look beyond legal provisions and judicial decisions, and instead focus on understanding lived experiences, grievances and everyday realities where rights are often violated.

“At its core, human rights is about people and conduct in daily life,” he said, adding that awareness and preventive action are as important as redressal mechanisms.

The interns were also briefed on the structure of the programme by Joint Secretary Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak, who outlined a curriculum that combines expert lectures with virtual exposure visits to institutions such as Tihar Jail, shelter homes and police stations. The programme also includes interactive activities and competitions aimed at strengthening participants’ understanding and confidence.

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Senior officials, including Lt Col Virender Singh, Director, NHRC, and members of the Training Division, were present during the inaugural session.

With a highly competitive selection process and a strong response from students nationwide, the NHRC internship continues to serve as a key platform for introducing young learners to the practical dimensions of human rights in India.