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Pooja Madhav Wavhal, an IPS aspirant from Pune, has earned the title of India’s ‘Sleep Champion of the Year’ after excelling in a nationwide sleep-focused internship hosted in Bengaluru. By maintaining an average of nine hours of sleep each night over a 60-day period, she outperformed 14 other finalists and took home a prize of Rs 9.1 lakh.
The internship, now in its fourth edition, was created to raise awareness about sleep deprivation in India. Over 1 lakh applicants vied for the opportunity, but only 15 were shortlisted for the final round.
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articipants were provided with Wakefit mattresses and contactless sleep trackers to monitor their rest patterns. In addition to being observed on sleep duration and quality, interns also engaged in light-hearted yet insightful activities, from blindfolded bed-making to alarm clock hunts and even a ‘sleep-off’ challenge designed to test their consistency and sleep discipline, as reported by India Today.
Wavhal achieved a final score of 91.36 to claim the top honour. All 15 finalists, including her, received Rs 1 lakh for completing the internship duration.
How to Apply for Wakefit’s Sleep Internship
To qualify, applicants must be at least 22 years old and submit only one application. Incomplete forms or multiple entries are automatically disqualified. The application deadline is strictly enforced, and late submissions are not accepted.
Former interns from previous seasons (1 to 3) are ineligible, and so are Wakefit employees and their relatives. All communication will be sent through SMS, email, phone, or WhatsApp, and participants are expected to provide accurate information. By applying, candidates agree to the terms and privacy policy outlined by Wakefit on its official site.
The Rise of India’s Sleep Internship Culture
What began in 2019 as a unique campaign has grown into a celebrated initiative within India’s wellness and startup circles. The internship has now seen four seasons, each attracting thousands of applications from across the country.
Branded “sleep interns”, participants are asked to sleep at least nine hours every night for 60 days from their own homes. Their sleep is monitored using contactless devices, and they’re required to complete daily feedback routines to qualify for the final reward.
Applicants go through a multi-step selection process that includes an online form, video resume, and a brief interview. Some quirky questions, like one’s ability to fall asleep quickly or past experiences of nodding off in class, help the team identify the most suitable candidates.
Perks and Payouts
Every intern who completes the two-month programme is paid Rs 1 lakh. At the end of the cycle, the most consistent and high-quality sleeper is declared the 'Sleep Champion' and awarded an additional sum of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Fully remote and work-from-home, the programme relies on Wakefit’s own products, including mattresses and sleep trackers, to monitor participant performance.
Applications for Season 5 are now open. Speaking after her win, Wavhal shared her hope that this initiative will inspire others to prioritise rest. “Sleep is not just downtime, it’s essential for healing and recovery,” she said.
Data from the 2025 Great Indian Sleep Scorecard reinforces her point: nearly 58% of Indians sleep after 11 PM, and close to half wake up feeling fatigued
