The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has begun its Summer Internship Programme (SIP) 2025, a four‑week initiative aimed at raising awareness of human rights among university students.
The programme officially commenced on June 16, 2025, at NHRC headquarters in New Delhi. This year, 80 students from 42 colleges across 20 states and union territories have been selected from a pool of 1,468 applicants.
Participants come from diverse academic backgrounds, including Law, Social Sciences, Social Work, Psychology, Journalism, Gender Studies, Digital Humanities, and International Relations.
Leadership Highlights
NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian inaugurated the programme, noting that India’s strength lies in its diverse voices.
He encouraged interns to learn from one another much like a child learns from family—each member bringing unique perspectives.
He stressed the importance of purposeful learning and urged participants to uphold justice and empathy to help build a society where everyone enjoys equal rights and opportunities.
In his keynote, NHRC Secretary‑General Shri Bharat Lal emphasized the crucial role of young people in advancing human rights.
He urged them to develop sensitivity, compassion, and a balanced sense of rights and responsibilities, inspired by India’s cultural values.
Lal expressed hope that trainees would use this platform to positively shape their future and foster an inclusive society.
Programme Structure
Shri Samir Kumar, Joint Secretary at NHRC, described the programme’s blend of classroom learning and field exposure. The interns will participate in interactive sessions, group research tasks, book reviews, and declamation contests.
Field visits are planned to NGOs, police stations, correctional facilities, shelter homes, and other national commissions. Such activities aim to deepen their understanding of human rights challenges and motivate innovative thinking.
The session concluded with Lt. Col. Virender Singh, Director at NHRC, delivering the vote of thanks.
A Platform for Future Advocates
The SIP is designed to empower young minds, exposing them to real‑world scenarios and expert insights in human rights. With rising competition—over 1,400 applicants this year—and strong regional representation, the selection process emphasizes a commitment to justice, equity, and community service. This immersive experience helps interns recognize that human rights concerns span legal, social, psychological, and media fields.
Notable elements of the programme include peer learning, leadership development, and civic responsibility. These components are viewed as vital to produce well‑rounded advocates who can address socioeconomic gaps and safeguard vulnerable groups.
Why It Matters
The SIP serves as a strategic investment in India’s future human rights leadership. Empowered with knowledge and practical exposure, these students are likely to pursue careers in law, public service, civil society, media, and advocacy sectors that shape public opinion and policy. The programme builds a network focused on fairness, empathy, and constructive change.
By bringing together interns from varied disciplines and backgrounds, the NHRC aims to spark collaboration and envision creative responses to rights issues—from gender justice and mental health awareness to digital access and societal equity.
As the SIP 2025 unfolds over the next four weeks, all eyes will be on how these young participants translate this learning into concrete action—both during and after the programme—to strengthen human rights in India.
For more details about the Internship and to apply, please click on the NHRC Official Page.
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