NHRC launches November 2025 online internship programme, engaging students nationwide

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has commenced its two-week Online Short-Term Internship (OSTI) programme for November 2025, aimed at sensitising university students to the promotion and protection of human rights. Out of 906 applications received, 80 students from 16 States and Union Territories representing diverse academic backgrounds have been selected to participate.

In his inaugural address, NHRC Secretary General Shri Bharat Lal highlighted the significance of online internships in enabling the Commission to reach even the remotest corners of the country, making human rights education more inclusive and accessible. Emphasising that dignity is central to all human rights, he said that denial of basic amenities or discrimination constitutes a violation of these rights. He urged the interns to reflect deeply, live purposefully, and translate Constitutional ideals into action, encouraging them to become “ambassadors of justice, empathy, and dignity.”

Shri Lal also drew attention to the dynamic and evolving nature of human rights, citing contemporary challenges such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, climate change, and access to clean air and water. He encouraged the interns to make the most of the programme to positively impact the lives of others and leave a lasting, meaningful footprint.

NHRC Joint Secretary Smt Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak provided an overview of the internship curriculum, which includes 43 sessions led by 34 expert speakers covering topics such as international law, rights of manual scavengers, mental health as a human right, and juvenile justice. The programme also offers practical exposure through virtual tours of institutions like Tihar Jail, police stations, and the Asha Kiran shelter home in Delhi.

In addition to the sessions, interns will participate in book review competitions, group research projects on human rights themes, and declamation contests, fostering both academic learning and public speaking skills.

Highlighting the broader significance of online internships, the programme enables students from remote and underserved regions to gain valuable knowledge and skills, creating opportunities for them to become local champions of human rights awareness. The format also ensures cost-effective, scalable, and inclusive engagement, allowing NHRC to reach a diverse and geographically dispersed student population.

The inauguration was also attended by Lt. Col. Virender Singh, Director, along with other senior officials. The NHRC continues to use such initiatives to educate, inspire, and empower young minds, reinforcing the role of youth as informed and responsible citizens who can advance justice and human dignity across India.