NHRC Winter Internship 2024

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is a statutory body that protects and promotes human rights at the national level. The body was established under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993; one of its significant duties is ensuring human rights violations are dealt with on time and advocating for the rights of individuals across different sectors.

One of the prominent activities conducted by the NHRC is its NHRC Winter Internship Programme (WIP), through which students can engage with human rights issues and gain practical experience to add value to human rights discussions and advocacy. This article details the NHRC Winter Internship, including its form, application procedures, eligibility, benefits, and significance at large.

Introduction to the NHRC Winter Internship Programme

The NHRC Winter Internship Programme sensitizes students to various human rights issues by providing them with practical exposure to the workings of the NHRC. The internship is usually spread over 30 days, which allows the interns to engage themselves in a structured learning process, be it classroom sessions or field visits, and work on projects.

Table of Contents

Objectives of the Internship

The main objectives of the NHRC Winter Internship Programme are as follows:

Awareness Program: To make the students aware of the human rights issues in society.
Experiential Learning: To expose students to the real challenges of human rights, which they can practically face and overcome in the future.
Skill Acquisition: To develop research, analysis, and practical communication skills.
Building Advocacy: To help young people acquire a sense of responsibility and advocacy for human rights issues.

Design of the Winter Internship Programme

The NHRC Winter Internship Programme consists of roughly 70-75 sessions dealing with every aspect that involves human rights. The composition consists of:

Classroom Sessions

The internship working towards classroom sessions offers a variety of sessions dealing with human rights issues. These sessions have experts from the sectors and hence deal with theoretical plus practical knowledge.

Interaction with NHRC Officials

Interns have the chance to directly interact with the Hon’ble Chairperson and Members of the NHRC. This affords them the opportunity of insights into the working and decision-making processes of the Commission.

Research Project Work

The research project involves assigning some topics related to human rights to the interns as specific research projects. This hands-on work enables them to research topics of their interest and apply their research skills.

Book Reviews

Students are required to do book reviews from the NHRC library. This exercise helps them engage critically with literature related to human rights, enhancing their understanding of historical and contemporary issues.

Film Screenings and Discussions

Film screenings on issues relating to human rights followed by discussions are part and parcel of the programme, which can include child labor, measures against trafficking, health and education rights, and more.

Field Visits

Field visits form an essential component of the internship itself. Students often visit police stations, jails, NGOs, Parliament House, National Commissions for Women/Minorities/Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, National Green Tribunal, National Legal Services Authority, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and even the Supreme Court of India. Here, the interns gain real-life experience on how human rights are respected or violated at different levels.

Eligibility Criteria:

To avoid less motivated and less capable applicants, NHRC has certain eligibility criteria for candidates to apply for the internship:

1. Academic Qualifications:

Students who have completed three years or holding a sixth semester of a five-year integrated BA/ BBA.LLB course.
Students who hold a course LL.M.
The candidate should score a minimum mark of 60% in Class XII.

2. Research Potential: Students showing much potential in research work in such related areas to human rights may be preferred.

3. Age Limit: To be at most 28 years old as of July 1, 2024.

Application Process

The application procedure for the NHRC Winter Internship is intended to be both simple and comprehensive:

Preparation of Documents

Interested applicants should prepare the necessary documents, including:

Detailed resume mentioning academic achievement and related experiences.
Cover letter that is of interest in human rights issues and explains how the internship happens to align with his or her future career-related goals.
Copies of academic certificates for proof of eligibility
Recommendation letter from either the Head of Department, Dean, or Principal, dated after the advertisement’s publication date.

Online application submission

Candidates have to submit their applications on the official website of the NHRC by filing an online application form and attaching necessary documents. The application form would appear on the website in the “Internship” link.

Deadline for Application

The last date for submission of an application usually comes a couple of weeks before the internship starts. For example, for WIP 2024, applications should reach November 21, 2024, at 18:00 hours.

Shortlisting

The applications are shortlisted from these sources based on academic qualifications and motivation letters. The candidates shortlisted for the final process will be notified via email or telephone as regards the selections.

Stipend and Awards

All the interns selected will receive a stipend of Rs. 12,000/- (Rupees Twelve Thousand only) on successful completion of their internship. In addition, incoming interns drawn from outside Delhi will be reimbursed ordinary second-class train fare for traveling to New Delhi.

Awards for participating – related to regular attendance, punctuality, discipline, participation in sessions, timely submission of group project presentations and reports, and book reviews.
Prize money for Outstanding performance in group research projects for Rs 15 000/- for First Position; Rs 10,000/- for Second Position; Rs 5,000/- for Third position.
The five best interns from the high-scoring book review will be rewarded with books worth up to Rs 1,000.

Advantages of Attending the Internship

Attending the NHRC Winter Internship Program brings together so many opportunities that go beyond learning in the classroom:

Practical Exposure

Interns get hands-on experience in dealing with human rights issues by engaging themselves with different units of the NHRC. In this way, they are exposed to the fact that what they may learn theoretically from a lecture can be applied practically in reality.

Professional Networking

The internship also provides the opportunity for professional networking with people who work in human rights advocacy, legal practices, and policy-making. The students get exposure to approaches and advice from experienced practitioners.

Development of Skills

Learners gain the following fundamental skills:

Research Skills: Interns learn how to comprehensively research on the human rights issue and eventually analyze data.
Analytical Skills: Case studies produce critical thinking abilities in determining complex scenarios.
Communication Skills: Through presentations and discussion with the stakeholders, interns enhance their skills both in written and verbal communication.

Improved Knowledge of Law on Human Rights

Through human rights law workshops run by subject area experts, students will learn about the legal frameworks governing the protection of human rights in India and across the world. This knowledge is essential for those who might be interested in making a career in law or advocacy.

Contribution to Society

By participating in real cases of human rights violations in their internships, participants positively contribute to raising awareness about pressing issues and supporting efforts aimed at accountability.

Challenges Faced by Interns:

While participating in this internship provides numerous benefits, it also presents specific challenges that interns may encounter:

Emotional Toll: Working on cases involving severe human rights violations can be emotionally taxing for interns who may encounter distressing stories that challenge their perspectives on justice and humanity.
Complex Bureaucracy: Navigating through bureaucratic processes within a large institution like NHRC can be daunting for interns unfamiliar with administrative protocols.
Time Management: Balancing internship responsibilities and academic commitments requires learning how to use time well. In that regard, interns are taught how to prioritize specific tasks with respect to deadlines.

Upcoming Sessions

The NHRC has scheduled an upcoming winter internship session from December 16th, 2024, to January 10th, 2025. This promises enriching experiences tailored towards students eager to explore fields related directly to protecting fundamental freedoms enjoyed by all individuals living within India’s borders! Interested applicants should prepare documents early enough so they can submit them before deadlines arrive!

Main Links of NHRC Winter Internship

NHRC Official Website: This is a primary source for all information regarding the NHRC Winter Internship, including guidelines and application procedures. – NHRC Official Website
Winter Internship Programme Details: All the details about NHRC Winter Internship, such as objectives, structure, and eligibility criteria, can be known from this source. – NHRC Winter Internship 2025
Application Form: Direct link to apply for the NHRC Winter Internship. – Apply for NHRC Winter Internship (Application form available under the “Internship” section)
Contact Information: For any questions concerning the internship, you can contact the NHRC Training Division: – Phone: +91-11-24663371 (available from 10 AM to 6 PM on working days)
Key Dates and Deadlines: The deadlines for internship applications along with dates of internship offered are available on the various education portals that have summarized information about the NHRC internship details. – Opportunity Cell NHRC Winter Internship

Scholarship and Stipend Details: Stipend and scholarship awarded to the interns after selections. – Lawfer NHRC Winter Internship Overview
Application Submission Guidelines: Important guidelines on how to submit your application correctly, which may detail the documents you need. – Lawctopus NHRC Internship Guidelines

These links will equip you with all the essential details regarding the NHRC Winter Internship including how to apply, the eligibility criteria, among other important info.

The NHRC Winter Internship Programme provides students a vital platform to choose careers related specifically to advocating effectively against violations occurring within our society today! It provides practical experiences and opportunities for skill development, thus equipping participants not only academically but personally too by instilling within them deeper senses regarding responsibilities we all share when it comes down to protecting one another’s fundamental freedoms!

As future leaders come out from there after getting knowledge and moving it forward in these series, hope increases that they will struggle unendingly towards making justice & equality prevail amidst all individuals, no matter what background circumstances they face every day! For students keen on making a difference & fighting for those whose voices are rarely heard, internship stands as fantastic stepping stones required along pathways of effectively achieving their goals!