MEA Internship Programme 2026: ₹10,000 Monthly Honorarium
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Quick answer
The Ministry of External Affairs offers a three‑month internship for Indian graduates or final‑year students, providing a monthly honorarium of ₹10,000, reimbursement of economy airfare to Delhi, and a possible visit to an Indian mission abroad. Applicants must be aged 25 or below as of 31 December of the internship year and apply online through the official MEA Internship portal.
At a glance
| Main benefit | Monthly honorarium of ₹10,000, airfare reimbursement, possible abroad visit |
| Ministry / department | Ministry Of External Affairs |
| Level | Central Government |
| Age | Up to 25 years |
| Application mode | Online |
About the scheme
The Ministry of External Affairs of the Govt. of India launched the first edition of its Internship Programme in 2022. The internship policy aims to take foreign policy closer to the people; bring in more focus on MEA; provide value to the interns; ensure better gender inclusivity and increase diversity in terms of qualifications, domicile, and socio-economic status in the cohort of interns engaged by the MEA. During the course of the internship, the Interns would be introduced to various aspects of the functioning of the Ministry, its attached offices, the public interface of the Ministry and its role in helping Indian citizens, as well as a possible visit one of the Missions abroad, subject to prevailing conditions.
Benefits
- Monthly honorarium of INR 10,000
- One‑time to‑and‑fro air travel reimbursement up to prevailing economy class fare between state capital and Delhi
- Possible visit to one of the Indian missions abroad, subject to prevailing conditions
Who can apply (eligibility)
- Indian citizen with a graduate degree from a recognized university (or final year student where internship is mandatory)
- Age must not exceed 25 years as on 31 December of the year of internship
- Preference given to candidates from TADP districts and SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories
How to apply
- 1Visit the official Ministry of External Affairs Internship portal
- 2Register and create an account
- 3Fill in the online application form with personal and educational details
- 4Upload required documents such as degree certificate or provisional certificate and identity proof
- 5Submit the application before the announced deadline
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the MEA Internship Programme?+
Indian citizens with a graduate degree from a recognized university, or final‑year graduation students where the internship is a mandatory part of the curriculum, are eligible. The age must not exceed 25 years as on 31 December of the internship year.
What is the honorarium amount provided to interns?+
Interns receive a monthly honorarium of INR 10,000.
How to apply for the MEA Internship Programme?+
Applications are submitted online through the official Ministry of External Affairs Internship portal. Candidates must register, fill the form, upload documents and submit before the deadline.
What is the age limit for applicants?+
The age of the candidate should not exceed 25 years as on 31 December of the year of internship.
Are SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates given any preference?+
Yes, candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC and EWS categories are given priority at different stages of the selection process.
How many internships are offered each year?+
A total of 75 internships are offered in a year, in a single term of three months from April to June.
NaukriZila is not a government website. Apply only on the official portal; never pay anyone to apply for a government scheme. Source: myScheme (Government of India)