Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan – Internship Program

Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan – Internship Program

The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) Internship Program, initiated by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Government of India, is designed to involve students and young researchers in significant policy and research work. This initiative aims to harness the skills and knowledge of students pursuing various degree programs while providing them with practical experience in government operations related to rural development.

Overview of the Internship Program

This internship program is part of the revamped RGSA framework for the period from 2022-23 to 2025-26. It invites students from recognized universities or institutions, both in India and abroad, to apply for short-term internships lasting up to three months. Selected interns will engage with various units and divisions within the MoPR, contributing to and gaining insights into local self-governance, policy formulation, and rural development initiatives.

Objectives of the Program

• To engage students and research scholars to utilize their academic potential effectively within MoPR’s policy and action research.
• To provide interns with firsthand experience of local self-governments and governmental policies affecting rural development.
• To encourage interns to contribute meaningful inputs through data analysis and empirical research that can aid in policy briefs and working papers.

Benefits of the Internship

Interns selected for this program will enjoy the following benefits:

• Issuance of a certificate upon successful completion of the internship.
• A stipend of ₹7,000 per month, provided to deserving candidates to support their engagement.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the internship, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:

• Must be enrolled in or pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate program, or be a research scholar engaged in doctoral (Ph.D.) or post-doctoral studies at recognized institutions.
• Applications are welcomed from candidates in fields such as Public Policy Studies, Social Policy Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Governance and Public Administration, Rural Development Management, Environment and Energy Studies, Public Health, Sociology, Political Science, Social Work, Statistics, Data Analysis, and relevant engineering and management disciplines.
• The internship will last a minimum of 15 days and a maximum of six months.
• MoPR will provide essential facilities such as workspace, internet access, and library resources. Interns must have their own laptops.
• Candidates willing to work on a pro bono basis may join upon approval from the Program Division’s Director, without expecting any stipend.

Application Process

Interested candidates can follow these steps to apply online:

• Register on the ServicePlus website if not already registered.
• Visit the MoPR website and navigate to the “RGSA” section, then click on “MoPR Internship”.
• A new webpage will open; enter your login details to proceed with the application.
• After logging in, click on the “Apply Service” tab, which will direct you to the online application form.
• Fill in all required details, select your “Area of Interest,” upload your photograph, and submit the application.

Important Notes:

• Each candidate is permitted to apply for the internship only once during a financial year.
• Applications remain valid for consideration throughout the fiscal year in which they are submitted.
• Upon selection, candidates must provide a letter from their Principal, Head of Department, or Supervisor, confirming their status and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the internship.

Official Source

For more information, please visit myScheme.gov.in.