Top Official Internship Platforms for Class 12 & UG Students in India

Introduction

Here is something most students do not hear until it is too late.

According to the International Labour Organisation’s India Employment Report 2024, more than 80% of India’s unemployed workforce is made up of young people. And one of the biggest reasons for this is that most students graduate without any real work experience.

The good news? The right internship platforms for students in India already exist. They are official and verified and, in many cases, completely free to apply. You just need to know where to look.

This blog covers only government-backed and officially verified platforms. Every platform here has been confirmed as currently active in 2026. No private companies. No edtech platforms. Just genuine opportunities, many of them remote, open to students from all streams, including Class 12 pass-outs.

What to Look for in an Internship Platform

Not every internship platform is worth your time. Here is what this list was built on and what you should check before applying anywhere:

• Official or government-backed: run by a verified government body or national institution, not a private company
• Active in 2026: no dormant portals or outdated listings
• Open to multiple streams: not just engineering; also commerce, arts, science, law, management, and more
• Remote or online options available, so you do not have to relocate
• Free to apply: if a platform asks for money, it is a scam, not an internship
• Certificate on completion, so the experience actually shows on your resume

One more important thing to know: most government research internships at NITI Aayog, FOSSEE, and ISRO require you to be in the second year or above of a degree programme. Class 12 pass-outs who are not yet enrolled in a UG course have fewer options in this list, but the PM Internship Scheme is built specifically for them. Keep reading.

1. PM Internship Scheme, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India

Official Portal: pminternship.mca.gov.in

Best For: Class 12 pass-outs, ITI graduates, diploma holders, UG graduates, all streams

Duration: 6 to 12 months

Stipend: ₹9,000 per month + ₹6,000 one-time joining grant

This is one of the biggest and most inclusive internship schemes the Government of India has ever launched. The PM Internship Scheme was officially announced in the Union Budget 2024–25 and launched on 3rd October 2024. It aims to give one crore young Indians real work experience in India’s top 500 companies over five years.

What makes this scheme truly different from anything else on this list is who it is for. You do not need to be a college student. If you have passed Class 10 or Class 12, or completed an ITI, diploma, or graduation, and you are between 18 and 25 years old and not in full-time education or employment,t you are eligible. This means students who have just finished Class 12 and are in the gap year before college can apply directly.

Companies like Reliance Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, HDFC Bank, Mahindra, and ONGC are among the 500 participating organisations. Students can browse opportunities by sector, location, and qualification and apply directly through the portal. Interns also receive insurance coverage under PM Suraksha Bima Yojana and PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, paid for by the government.

The application is entirely free. The portal is at pminternship.mca.gov.in. If you are a Class 12 pass-out looking for your first real work experience with a stipend, this is the most accessible and credible option in India right now.

2. AICTE National Internship Portal Ministry of Education, Government of India

Official Portal: internship.aicte-india.org

Best For: UG and PG students in engineering, management, pharmacy, architecture, and diploma programmes from 2nd year onwards

Duration: 1 to 6 months, depending on the role

Stipend: Varies by role; many listings offer ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 per month

The AICTE National Internship Portal is a government-run platform that connects students from AICTE-approved colleges with verified companies, startups, government departments, PSUs, and NGOs across India. Both the companies and the students are verified before listings go live, so the risk of fake opportunities is much lower than on open-access platforms.

Students from engineering, management, pharmacy, architecture, and diploma programmes can register for free and browse hundreds of internship listings by domain, location, and duration. Many internships are available in online or hybrid mode, making them accessible to students across the country without needing to relocate.

Most listings on this portal require students to have completed at least one year of their degree. So if you are a first-year UG student, it is worth registering now and keeping your profile updated so you are ready to apply the moment you become eligible. The portal also links to the TULIP programme, which offers internships at urban local bodies for architecture and planning students, specifically.

On completion, students receive an official certificate from the host organisation. For students in technical or management programmes, this is one of the most structured and widely accepted government-backed internship platforms available in India.

3. NITI Aayog Internship Scheme, Government of India

Official Portal: niti.gov.in/internship

Best For: UG students who have completed at least the 2nd year, PG students, and research scholars in economics, policy, social sciences, data analysis, and governance

Duration: Minimum 6 weeks to maximum 6 months

Stipend: An unpaid official government certificate issued on completion

NITI Aayog is India’s top public policy think tank, chaired by the Prime Minister. Its internship scheme lets selected students work directly with different divisions and units of NITI Aayog, contributing to real policy research, data analysis, briefing reports, and policy papers that reach the highest levels of government decision-making.

For any student seriously interested in public policy, economics, civil services, governance, or higher studies in social sciences, this is one of the most prestigious internship opportunities available in India. Virtual and remote modes have been offered in recent cycles, which means students do not need to travel to Delhi.

Eligibility: UG students must have completed at least the second year of their bachelor’s degree and scored a minimum of 85% in Class 12. PG students need at least 70% in graduation. Applications open on the 1st of every month, and students must apply by the 10th for the following cycle.

The internship does not come with a monthly stipend. But the government-issued certificate and the experience of working with national-level policy professionals carry serious weight, especially for UPSC aspirants, students applying for postgraduate programmes in India or abroad, and anyone looking to build a career in governance or research.

4. FOSSEE Internship Programme, IIT Bombay, Ministry of Education

Official Portal: fossee.in/fossee-internships

Best For: Students from any college, pursuing any degree, at any stage of UG or PG, especially in engineering, computer science, and electronics

Duration: One full semester (semester-long internship); a summer fellowship is also available

Stipend: Unpaid official IIT Bombay certificate and recognition on the FOSSEE website

FOSSEE stands for Free/Libre and Open Source Software for Education. It is an IIT Bombay initiative supported by the Ministry of Education under the National Mission on Education through ICT. What makes it genuinely special is this: it is fully remote, and mentoring from IIT Bombay faculty continues throughout the semester. Very few programmes combine both of those things.

Students work on real open-source project tools like Scilab, OpenFOAM, eSim, Python-based applications, and web platforms that are actually used in academic and research settings across India. The work students contribute is released as open-source material, which means it becomes publicly visible and linked to their name – a real addition to any technical portfolio.

The programme is open to students from any college at any stage of UG or PG. The only selection criterion is completing a screening task specific to the chosen project. Students who pass the screening go on to a full semester of structured, mentored work. On completion, they receive an official FOSSEE certificate and are recognised on the FOSSEE website.

The Summer Fellowship runs separately from the semester programme, giving students another opportunity during summer breaks. For students aiming at higher studies, research roles, or careers in open-source technology, the FOSSEE programme is one of the few platforms in India that combines IIT-level mentorship with genuine remote flexibility.

5. ISRO Internship and Student Project Trainee Scheme Department of Space, Government of India

Official Portal: isro.gov.in/Internship.html

Best For: UG and PG students in science, engineering, and technology, especially those interested in space science, remote sensing, satellite data, and geospatial research

Duration: Minimum 45 days (UG); Minimum 120 days (PG); Up to 12 months

Stipend: Unpaid official ISRO certificate issued on completion

ISRO is India’s national space agency. Its student internship and project trainee scheme allows students to work at ISRO centres across the country, including the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) in Dehradun, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, the U R Rao Satellite Centre, and the National Remote Sensing Centre, among others.

The IIRS runs an external student internship programme twice every year. Application windows close on 31st March and 31st October. Students need to be Indian citizens, enrolled in a recognised university, with a minimum aggregate of 60% or a 6.32/10 CGPA.

Most ISRO internships are currently conducted in offline (on-site) mode at respective centres, which means you need to be physically present. This is not a remote programme. However, for students who can make that commitment, working directly with ISRO scientists on live research in remote sensing, GIS, satellite data analysis, or space technology is an experience that no online programme can replicate.

A completion certificate from ISRO is respected across academia, government, and research institutions in India. For students aiming for careers in space technology, earth sciences, defence research, or postgraduate specialisations in geospatial technology, this programme stands apart from everything else on this list.

6. MyGov Internship, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India

Official Portal: innovateindia.mygov.in/mygov-internship

Best For: Undergraduate students and recent graduates in arts, social sciences, law, communications, management, IT, and design

Duration: Minimum 2 months, extendable based on performance

Stipend: An unpaid official government certificate issued on completion

MyGov is the official citizen engagement platform of the Government of India. Its internship programme gives students hands-on experience in areas that most academic programmes do not touch at all, such as policy communication, digital governance, social media outreach for government campaigns, research, and public engagement.

Interns are mentored by experienced policy, management, and communication professionals. Depending on their skills and background, students are placed in teams covering management, ministry partnerships, social media and content, research, HR, IT support, and graphic design. This makes MyGov one of the very few government internship opportunities that are genuinely suited to students from arts, commerce, and social science backgrounds, not just technical streams.

Undergraduate students and recent graduates can apply. The programme is full-time, with a minimum duration of two months. There is no stipend, but an official government certificate is issued on successful completion, countersigned by the competent authority. For students interested in civil services, public policy, communications, or digital governance, this certificate and the direct experience of working inside a Government of India platform is difficult to replicate anywhere else.

Quick Comparison: All 6 Official Platforms at a Glance

Source: Official portals of all listed programmes, verified May 2026.

How to Get the Most Out of These Platforms

Having a list of internships is a good start, but applying everywhere without a clear goal often leads to poor outcomes. Instead, choose opportunities that match your current stage and career interests.

For Class 12 graduates, the PM Internship Scheme offers paid, entry-level industry exposure. Meanwhile, students interested in policy or public service should consider NITI Aayog or MyGov, as their certificates carry strong credibility. For research-focused students, especially those planning higher studies, FOSSEE and ISRO provide valuable academic experience.

Additionally, keep essential documents—such as mark sheets, certificates, and an updated CV—ready before applications open. Always check official portals regularly, since important updates may not arrive by email.

Finally, don’t overlook unpaid internships. In many cases, the experience and credibility offered by organizations like NITI Aayog, ISRO, or IIT Bombay can outweigh the value of a stipend.

How Career Plan B Helps

Career Plan B helps students navigate CUET 2026 private university subject rules with clarity, confidence, and personalized guidance:

• Personalized Career Counselling: Helps students identify universities and programmes that genuinely align with their strengths, interests, and long-term goals.
• Psycheintel & Career Assessment Tests: Provides insights into aptitude, personality traits, learning styles, and suitable academic and career pathways through data-backed assessments.
• Admission & Academic Profile Guidance: Supports students in understanding CUET subject combinations, decoding university-specific eligibility rules, and building strong academic profiles strategically.
• Career Roadmapping: Helps students create a structured long-term plan aligned with their academic choices and future aspirations.
• End-to-End Guidance: Assists students throughout subject selection, university shortlisting, admissions, and career planning so important details, eligibility requirements, and opportunities never slip through the cracks.

For Latest Information

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Class 12 students apply for internships in India?

Yes, but most government research internships require at least the second year of a degree programme. The best option for Class 12 pass-out students who have just finished school and are not yet enrolled in a college course is the PM Internship Scheme. It accepts students who have passed Class 10 or Class 12, are between 18 and 25, and are not in full-time education.

2. Are remote internships from government platforms taken seriously?

Yes, increasingly so. What matters is the quality and credibility of the organisation issuing the certificate. A remote internship with NITI Aayog or FOSSEE IIT Bombay carries considerably more weight in academic and professional circles than an on-site internship at an unknown organisation.

3. Which official internship platform is open to all streams, not just engineering?

The PM Internship Scheme is the most inclusive; it covers all streams and qualification levels. MyGov is also suited for non-technical students from arts, commerce, law, and social sciences. NITI Aayog accepts students from economics, policy, management, and social science backgrounds. The AICTE Portal and FOSSEE are primarily suited for technical streams.

4. Is it safe to apply to government internship portals without paying any fees?

Yes. Every platform listed in this blog is completely free to register and apply. Any website or person asking for payment to help you apply for an NITI Aayog, ISRO, FOSSEE, or PM Internship Scheme opportunity is not affiliated with these institutions. Always apply directly through the official government domain.

Conclusion

The opportunities listed here are real, verified, and open to students across every stream – not just engineering, not just top-city colleges, and not just those with connections. What separates a student who uses them well from one who does not is almost never luck. It is usually a clear sense of what they want to learn before they start applying.

An internship chosen with intention will always teach you more than three chosen at random.

When was the last time you asked yourself not which internship looks impressive but which one would actually help you grow?