RGSA Internship Program 2026: ₹7,000 per month stipend, Eligibility & How to Apply

At a glance

About the scheme

The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan Internship Program, run by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, engages students and research scholars for short‑term internships (up to six months) to work on policy and action research related to rural local self‑governance. Selected interns receive a monthly stipend of ₹7,000, a certificate of completion, and access to workspace, internet and library facilities while contributing to MoPR’s research outputs.

Benefits

• Certificate of completion
• Stipend of ₹7,000 per month
• Working space, internet facility, library access provided

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Applicants must be enrolled/pursuing Undergraduate/Graduate/Postgraduate degree programme or Research Scholars enrolled/pursuing Doctoral (Ph.D.)/Post‑Doctoral degree in a recognised/reputed University/Institution, or have completed such a course within the last 2 years from India or abroad.
• Preferred academic disciplines include Public Policy Studies, Social Policy Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Governance and Public Administration Studies, Rural Development Management, Business Administration, Environment and Energy Studies, Public Health Studies, Sociology, Political Science, Social Work, Statistics, Data Analysis, and other relevant Social Sciences, Management and Engineering streams.
• Internship duration must be at least 15 days and not exceed six (6) months.
• MoPR provides working space, internet facility, library access and other necessary requirements; interns must have their own laptop.
• Candidates who do not expect a stipend may join on a pro bono basis with the approval of the Divisional Head.
• A candidate can apply for an internship only once during a financial year.

Who cannot apply

• Internship period must be at least four (4) weeks and not exceed three (3) months.
• Interns who do not complete the required period will not be issued a certificate.

Documents required

• Letter from Supervisor/Head of Department/Principal confirming the applicant's status in the institution.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) allowing the applicant to undertake the internship for the selected period.

How to apply

1. 1Register on the ServicePlus website (https://serviceonline.gov.in) if you are not already registered.
2. 2Visit the Ministry of Panchayati Raj website (panchayat.gov.in), go to the RGSA section and click on MoPR Internship.
3. 3Log in to ServicePlus using your credentials to access the application form.
4. 4Click the ‘Apply Service’ tab to open the online application form for the RGSA Internship Program.
5. 5Fill in the required details, select your Area of Interest, upload a recent photograph and submit the form.

Frequently asked questions