DESW Internship Scheme 2026: Ministry of Defence Internship, Eligibility & Application Form

At a glance

About the scheme

Run by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare under the Ministry of Defence, the DESW Internship Scheme introduces young Indian students to the policies, administrative systems, healthcare setups, and resettlement programs established for military veterans. During the internship, participants are assigned specialized research topics, evaluate field realities, and submit a detailed report to contribute toward better governance. It offers hands-on experience in public administration and defence welfare without monetary compensation, concluding with an official certificate and potential publication opportunities for high-quality reports.

Benefits

• Direct practical exposure to welfare, healthcare, resettlement, and administrative frameworks for Ex-Servicemen
• Structured research assignments on critical policies and challenges in veteran affairs
• Official certificate of successful completion awarded upon satisfactory performance and report submission
• Opportunity for outstanding research reports or excerpts to be published by the department with author credits

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Applicant must be an Indian citizen
• Must be a graduate or postgraduate student from a recognized university or institution across any academic stream
• Enrolled students must provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their parent institution

Who cannot apply

• Applicants currently enrolled in an institution who fail to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) prior to joining
• Non-Indian citizens

Documents required

• Hard copy of Resume
• Statement of Purpose (up to 200 words)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from parent institution (mandatory for currently enrolled students)
• Class 10th or equivalent marksheet and certificate
• Class 12th or equivalent marksheet and certificate
• Graduation or equivalent marksheet and certificate
• Post-Graduation marksheet and certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of Indian nationality (such as Aadhaar Card, Passport, or government-issued ID)

How to apply

1. 1Go to the official website of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare at desw.gov.in.
2. 2Navigate to the menu, click on 'Scheme', and open the 'DESW Internship Scheme' link.
3. 3Click the highlighted application link inside the guidelines to open the official Google Form.
4. 4Fill in your personal details including full name, parents' names, date of birth, address, and mobile number.
5. 5Enter your academic scores and board or university details for 10th, 12th, graduation, and post-graduation.
6. 6Select your preferred internship duration between 2 to 12 months and choose your areas of interest.
7. 7Provide information on any past government internship experience and write your Statement of Purpose within 200 words.
8. 8Accept the applicant undertaking, choose your NOC submission status, review your information, and click submit.
9. 9Carry physical copies of your resume, statement of purpose, academic proofs, and NOC when called for the interview.

Frequently asked questions