If you’re a student or recent graduate looking to work with the government and earn while learning, you’ll be surprised to know that there are several paid government internships in India offering real work experience plus a stipend.
I spent quite some time exploring these programs and found that they’re not only rewarding financially but also perfect if you’re preparing for UPSC, aiming for policy roles, or interested in governance, law, economics, or research.
Here’s my handpicked list of top paid government internships in India for 2025 — with details on stipend, eligibility, and how to apply.
1. Lok Sabha Internship (PDP)
- Stipend: ₹25,000 per month
- Duration: 1–3 months
- Location: Parliament Library, New Delhi
- Eligibility: PG students or recent postgraduates (within 1 year) in Law, Political Science, Journalism, Public Policy, etc.
- Perks: Certificate from Lok Sabha, real legislative research work
- Apply at: Lok Sabha Internship (PDP)
2. NITI Aayog Internship
- Stipend: Unpaid (but offers a certificate and huge exposure)
- Note: While NITI doesn’t pay a stipend, I’ve included it here because many students still consider it a “must-do” due to the brand value.
- Duration: 6 weeks to 6 months
- Location: On-site (New Delhi) or remote (in some cases)
- Eligibility: UG (2nd year+), PG, or research scholars
- Apply at: https://niti.gov.in/internship
3. NHRC Short-Term Internship
- Stipend: ₹8,000 for 1 month
- Duration: 30–31 days
- Location: NHRC HQ, New Delhi
- Eligibility: Final-year UG, PG students in Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Human Rights, etc.
- Perks: Lectures, field visits, real case reviews
- Apply at: https://nhrc.nic.in
4. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Internship
- Stipend: Unpaid
- Duration: 1 month
- Location: South Block, New Delhi
- Eligibility: Final-year UG/PG students or graduates (within 1 year), from any stream
- Perks: Certificate, real exposure to foreign policy, interactions with diplomats
- Apply at: https://internship.mea.gov.in
5. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Internship
- Stipend: ₹45,000 per month
- Duration: Minimum 3 months
- Location: RBI HQ, Mumbai
- Eligibility: PG/PhD students in Economics, Finance, Statistics
- Perks: Mentorship from RBI officials, deep research exposure
- Apply at: https://rbi.org.in
6. Competition Commission of India (CCI) Internship
- Stipend: ₹15,000 (for selected candidates only)
- Duration: 1 month
- Location: New Delhi
- Eligibility: Law, Economics, Finance, Management, or Regulatory Studies students (UG/PG)
- Perks: Work on competition law and market regulation
- Apply at: https://cci.gov.in
7. Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Internship
- Stipend: ₹5,000–₹10,000 (depending on your academic level)
- Duration: 1–3 months
- Location: MoSPI offices (New Delhi or regional)
- Eligibility: PG/Research students in Statistics, Data Science, Economics
- Perks: Real-time data analysis and project assignments
- Apply at: https://mospi.gov.in
8. DRDO Internship
- Stipend: ₹10,000–₹15,000 (varies by lab/project)
- Duration: 2–6 months
- Location: DRDO labs across India
- Eligibility: UG/PG/PhD students in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Robotics, or AI
- Perks: Research exposure, access to defense-grade technology
- Apply at: https://drdo.gov.in
FAQs – Paid Government Internships in India 2025
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Which government internship pays the highest stipend?
RBI Internship offers ₹45,000/month, the highest among Indian government internships. -
Can UG students apply for paid government internships?
Yes, internships like NHRC, CCI, and MEA allow final-year UG students. -
Are these internships remote or on-site?
Most are on-site in New Delhi or respective headquarters. Some offer remote options on request. -
Do these internships offer a certificate?
Yes, all internships listed above provide a certificate on completion. -
How can I stay updated about these opportunities?
Regularly visit official ministry websites or subscribe to updates on theinternship.in.