NHRC Short Term Internship

The National Human Rights Commission of India indeed plays a central role in promoting and protecting human rights across the country. Formed in 1993, NHRC is equipped with the responsibility of investigating alleged violations of human rights, providing redress, and ensuring accountability to establish a society imbued with respect for human rights among citizens and institutions.

In the short term, one of its significant initiatives has been the NHRC Short Term Internship Program, which provides exceptional exposure for students through which they can intensely interact with the complexities of human rights issues, along with the actual experience under a professional environment.

This article explores the NHRC Short Term Internship and elaborates on its features, eligibility criteria, application, and benefits, along with its significance in shaping future advocates for human rights.

Understanding NHRC Short-term Internship Programme

The NHRC Short Term Internship Program is open to undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and graduate students. This internship programme is meant to give the participant a broad understanding of human rights problems in India and the mechanisms whereby such issues are addressed by the NHRC.

Table of Contents

Objectives

The primary objectives of the NHRC Short Term Internship Program include:

Sensitization: To sensitize the students about current social issues relating to human rights.
Practical Orientation: To provide a helpful orientation of real-life human rights challenges.
Research and Analytical Skills: To promote research and analytical capabilities along with communication skills among the interns.
Advocacy: To encourage young minds to take responsibility and undertake advocacy for human rights.

Internship Scheme

The internship is usually 15 days long and will expose interns to various operations of the NHRC. The framework is established as follows:

Orientation Session: The internship shall begin with an orientation session that introduces the newcomers to the mission, vision, and functions of the NHRC.
Division Visits: Participants visit the different divisions of NHRC: Investigation Division, Research Division, and Complaint Division. Those divisions specialize in various aspects of human rights protection and advocacy.
Workshops and Seminars: Interns attend workshops with experts in human rights law, policy-making, and advocacy strategies.
Field Visits: Based on access availability, the interns might be taken to field sites where human rights violations have been reported. There, they can witness the challenges being faced by marginalized communities.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria would be formulated by the NHRC for the internship so as to attract motivated and capable candidates who are:

Academic Qualifications: Students must be in their 3rd year or higher of an integrated 5-year PG course. Candidates from any semester/year of a postgraduate degree or diploma course are also eligible. Research scholars pursuing advanced studies in relevant fields can apply.
Age Limit: The applicant must be aged under 28 years as of July 1, 2024. This age limit is necessary to make the internship feasible for young students who are still at a younger stage of their respective academic careers.
Academic Performance: A minimum of 60% marks score in Class XII and all subsequent courses ensures that such a level of excellence is maintained by participants.

Application Process

The application process for the NHRC Short Term Internship is straightforward yet very complete. Here are the steps:

1. Document Preparation:

In this process, interested individuals must prepare essential documents consisting of:

A detailed resume of academic achievements and relevant experiences.
A cover letter expressing interest in human rights issues and explaining how the internship aligns with their career goals.
Photocopies of academic certificates to verify eligibility.

2. Online Application:

Applications are submitted through the website of NHRC. The applicant will need to fill out an online application form and upload any supporting documents required according to the guidelines.

3. Shortlisting Process:

Thus, the NHRC shortlists are based on recommendation letters, motivation letters, and relevant experiences. Students are called for an interview via email or phone in case of an interview.

4. Interview (if applicable):

In some cases, there may be interviews to further gauge whether the candidates will get into the internship programme.

5. Confirmation:

The NHRC formally communicates to the selected interns that they have been chosen for the internship program.

Benefits of Taking the Internship

Internships at NHRC offer students many benefits that extend beyond bookish knowledge.

1. Immersion in Practice

Interns gain first-hand experience regarding human rights problems through involvement with all divisions within NHRC. This exposure enables them to interpret theoretical concepts, as they have been studied in class and their application in real-world functions.

2. Networking Benefits

Internship can provide opportunities to network with professionals working in the areas of human rights advocacy, legal practice, and policy-making. Participants have opportunities to engage with experienced practitioners who can provide guidance and mentorship.

3. Skill Development

Participants acquire valuable skills, such as:

Research Skills: Interns can develop a systematic approach to researching human rights issues, analyzing data, and summarizing findings for reports.
Analytical Thinking: Case studies require critical thinking about complex situations.
Communication Skills: Interns improve verbal and written communication skills through reports and presentations, as well as discussions with stakeholders.

4. Deeper Understanding of the Law Surrounding Human Rights

It provides interns with direct exposition through workshops and seminars by human rights law experts on the legal frameworks governing the protection of human rights in India and globally. It would be a presupposition to knowledge for those considering careers in law or advocacy.

5. Contribution to Society

Interacting with real case studies of violations of human rights, the intern contributes to meaningful change in society. Their involvement creates awareness of the issues and serves to point the arrow at violators.

Challenges to Interns

While the NHRC Short Term Internship offers much, it also poses some challenges that interns may face:

Emotional Toll: Working on cases of gross violation of human rights by interns may lead to emotional draining. Interns are likely to hear some alarming stories that shatter their perceptions of justice and humanity.
Complicated Bureaucracy: Interns who have yet to experience administrative procedures may find navigating through institutional bureaucracy like the NHRC overwhelming.
Time Management: Balancing the use of internship time with academic assignments requires that one learn good time management skills. Interns will be required to prioritize their work and ensure it is completed within the deadline requirements.

Success Stories from Past Interns

Many former interns have contributed to significant human rights advocacy missions after finishing their internship at NHRC:

Case Study 1: Legal Advocacy

An NHRC former intern, through the experience and skills acquired, took it upon themselves to work for marginalized communities through legal advocacy. An alumnus currently works for an NGO providing legal services to victims of discrimination.

Case Study 2: Policy Development

The other intern transitioned into a role within government policy-making after gaining insights into how policies affect human rights enforcement during their time at the NHRC. They now contribute to drafting policies meant to better social justice measures.

Case Study 3: Academic Research

Several former interns have continued their studies in law or social sciences, focusing their research on human rights issues they encountered during their internships. Their work has been published in reputable journals, contributing valuable knowledge to the field.

Upcoming Sessions

The NHRC has announced an upcoming short-term internship session scheduled from August 5 to August 16, 2024. Applications for this session are currently open until September 8, 2024. Interested students should prepare their documents early to ensure they meet all requirements before submitting their applications.

The NHRC Short Term Internship program provides a crucial space for students interested in pursuing careers connected with human rights advocacy and law. Because it offers practical experience, skill-building opportunities, and exposure to real-life issues of disadvantaged communities, it equips participants with needed tools for effective advocacy.

Important links for NHRC Short Term Internship

Official Website: Check out the official website for comprehensive details regarding the internship. Look for guidelines and application procedures. https://nhrc.nic.in
Application Guidelines: A detailed guideline for filling an online application, accompanied by eligibility criteria and documents required- https://hrcnet.nic.in/training/candidate/Guidelines.aspx
Application Form: Direct link for NHRC Short-term Internship Application.
END. – Apply for NHRC Short-term Internship
Internship Information on Lawfer: A glance at NHRC Short-term Internship Programme, including its key features and application detail. – Lawfer NHRC Internship Details
Opportunity Cell Information: Details related to the NHRC internship, including stipends, and responsibilities.- Opportunity Cell NHRC Internship
Law Bhoomi Information: More about NHRC internship, including eligibility and application deadlines.- Law Bhoomi NHRC Internship
Contact Information for Queries: If you have any query regarding the internship program, reach out to the NHRC Training Division: Phone: +91-11-24663283, 24663371

These links will give you comprehensive information about the NHRC Short-term Internship, on how to apply, eligibility criteria, and other relevant details.