December 16:
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India today commenced its four-week in-person Winter Internship Programme (WIP)–2025 in New Delhi, offering selected university-level students an immersive exposure to human rights education and practice. The programme will run from December 15, 2025, to January 9, 2026.
A total of 80 students from diverse academic disciplines have been shortlisted for the internship from 1,485 applicants across 19 States and Union Territories, reflecting the programme’s national outreach and inclusivity.
Unique Platform for Peer Learning: Justice V. Ramasubramanian
Inaugurating the programme, NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian described the Winter Internship Programme as a one-of-a-kind in-person platform for peer learning, especially significant in a country as socially and culturally diverse as India.
He said the initiative is designed to provide students with meaningful insights into human rights discourse, encouraging them to go beyond theoretical understanding. Justice Ramasubramanian urged the interns to internalise human rights values in their daily lives—at home, in workplaces, and within communities—so that these principles translate into responsible citizenship and nation building.
He highlighted that human rights are not confined to textbooks or institutions but must be reflected in everyday conduct, empathy, and respect for human dignity.
Youth Central to Human Rights Movement: NHRC Secretary General
Delivering the keynote address, NHRC Secretary General Shri Bharat Lal emphasised the pivotal role of youth in advancing and sustaining the human rights movement in India.
He called upon the interns to uphold the constitutional values of empathy, compassion, equality, and justice, deeply rooted in India’s civilisational ethos. Shri Bharat Lal encouraged students to use the internship period to broaden their perspectives, question social inequities, and actively contribute towards building an inclusive, equitable, and just society.
He underlined that young minds, when guided by constitutional morality, can become catalysts for social transformation and democratic resilience.
Comprehensive Learning Modules and Practical Exposure
Earlier, while outlining the structure of the internship, NHRC Joint Secretary Smt. Saidingpuii Chhakhchhuak informed that the programme offers a holistic and interactive learning experience.
The Winter Internship Programme includes:
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Interactive sessions with subject experts and practitioners
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Group research projects on contemporary human rights issues
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Book reviews and declamation contests
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Exposure to institutional mechanisms for protection and promotion of human rights
These activities are designed to sharpen analytical thinking, encourage teamwork, and foster innovative approaches to addressing human rights challenges in India and beyond.
Diverse Academic Representation
The selected interns come from diverse academic backgrounds, including law, social sciences, public administration, political science, international relations, and other disciplines. This multidisciplinary composition aims to promote cross-learning and enrich discussions through varied perspectives.
The selection from nearly fifteen hundred applicants highlights the growing interest among India’s youth in human rights, constitutional values, and social justice.
Commitment to Human Rights Education
The NHRC’s Winter Internship Programme has emerged as a flagship initiative to nurture human rights awareness among young scholars and future leaders. By combining academic engagement with value-based learning, the programme seeks to create informed, sensitive, and socially responsible citizens.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by NHRC Director Lt. Col. Virender Singh, who welcomed the interns and wished them a productive and transformative learning experience during their stay at the Commission.