The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has invited applications for its 2026 Internship Programme, offering students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain experience within the ministry. The October 2026 intake will run from October 2026 to March 2027, with applications open until September 27, 2026.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Indian citizens and should have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university at the time of application. Students in the final year of an undergraduate programme can also apply if an internship is a mandatory part of their final-year curriculum.
Candidates must be 25 years old or below as of December 31, 2026.
Stipend and Travel Support
Selected interns will receive a monthly stipend of ₹10,000. The ministry will also cover the cost of one round-trip air journey, subject to the applicable economy-class airfare ceiling, between Delhi and the state capital of the candidate’s domicile state or their college/university.
Selection Process
The selection process will be conducted online through the MEA internship portal and will include two stages:
- Preliminary screening
- Personal interview through videoconferencing
A maximum of 30 candidates will be selected for the October intake. The number of candidates called for interviews will be limited to three times the number of available internship positions. Academic performance in Class 12 and graduation will be considered during preliminary screening.
The programme follows a quota-cum-weightage system. The current intake covers applicants from specified states and Union Territories, including Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
The MEA has also specified certain considerations during selection, including priority for applicants from Transformation of Aspirational Districts Programme (TADP) districts during preliminary screening and consideration of SC, ST, OBC and EWS categories during the interview stage. The policy also provides that at least 30% of internships may be filled by women candidates.
Important Dates
- Application deadline: September 27, 2026
- Shortlisted candidates announced: October 7, 2026
- Internship period: October 2026 to March 2027
- Maximum intake: 30 interns
Selected candidates will have to make their own arrangements for accommodation and meals in Delhi during the internship.
