AICTE-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME 2026

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers an internship program for students to gain hands-on experience Read More... in understanding India's foreign policy and its use of soft power through cultural diplomacy. Read less

Details

Are you a student looking to dive deep into the world of cultural diplomacy and India's foreign policy? The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers a fantastic internship opportunity designed just for you.

What Is The ICCR Internship Policy?

This policy allows bright young minds to get up close with how India uses 'soft power' to shape its foreign relations. As an intern, you'll explore various departments within ICCR, contributing to important tasks like creative writing, cultural mapping, technological advancements, and understanding India's historical cultural connections worldwide. It's all about learning by doing and applying your academic knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This program is ideal for students who want to understand the nuances of cultural diplomacy. It's a chance to familiarise yourself with the workings of an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs and contribute to its mission.

Why Is This Scheme Important?

The internship program plays a crucial role in grooming future professionals in the field of cultural diplomacy and international relations. It provides valuable practical exposure, helping interns understand the complexities of cultural exchange and its impact on foreign policy. This initiative supports ICCR's mandate of promoting India's cultural heritage globally.

Objective

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers an internship program for students to gain hands-on experience in understanding India's foreign policy and its use of soft power through cultural diplomacy.

Benefits

Limit of Funding:Up to ₹ 1,50,000/-

Disbursement of the Funds:

The grant will be disbursed on reimbursement basis on receipt of claim form along with relevant documents. Total grant will be based on the recommended group of countries with fixed financial effect as follows:-

Group A :North America, Australia, South America, New Zealand : ₹ 1,50,000/-
Group B :Europe, Far-East Asia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea,& Africa : ₹ 1,20,000/-
Group C:Neighboring Countries, Gulf Countries & SE Asia:₹ 1,00,000/-
Group D :Within India: ₹ 50,000
Group E :Conferences which are not covered under the above Groups (Group A-D) will be evaluated by the committee Amount recommended as per group of countries or Average of amount recommended by the experts,

or,

Actual expenditure incurred, whichever is lesser will be entitled.
Reimbursement of the following expenditures will be granted:

Registration fee for conference.
Per Day, allowance (Days of the conference plus actual journey period) asper the central government rules.
Total expenses towards travel from international airport to destination airport and back.

Note:

In case a candidate has availed grant in Group D, individual is still eligible to avail this grant for international support (with in a period of three years) minus the amount utilized for with in India.
In case of the workshop/conference/seminar being held in online mode, AICTE will only be releasing the registration fee.

Terms and conditions:

The applicant has to perform the journey by Air India only, unless Air India gives an official certificate that there is no flight on the concerned sector (either of Air India itself or in collaboration with some other airlines). In case, journey is performed by any other airline, the airfare approved will not be released.
Applicant should submit only one proposal at a time.
In case an application of a candidate for a particular event (for a Particular date as well as a particular venue) is rejected, the same shall not be considered again and no correspondence in this regard shall be entertained by the Council.
The grant offered cannot be utilized for any other purpose other than the purpose for which granted.
Application should be submitted three months in advance.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for this internship, you need to meet the following criteria:

You must be a citizen of India.
You should have completed graduation in fields like Humanities, Mass Communication, Journalism, Designing, Anthropology, History, Art, Archaeology Science, Languages, Museology, or Fine Arts.
Your age should not be more than 25 years as of December 31st of the year you are applying.
Postgraduate students, research scholars, and students studying foreign languages are also encouraged to apply.
A strong academic record is essential.
Preference will be given to candidates from recognized Universities in India.

Additional Preference: Research scholars with a background in International Relations and Soft Power Projection might be given preference, depending on ICCR's current needs. Candidates with the highest marks are more likely to be called for an interview.

How to Apply

The internship is offered at ICCR, New Delhi, and its Regional Offices located in Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad.

The selection process involves preliminary screening and a personal interview. Applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee. Selected candidates will be offered internships based on available slots. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing.

Please Note: The input JSON does not contain a direct application link or a detailed step-by-step application guide. Applicants should refer to the official ICCR website for the most current application procedures and deadlines.

Documents You Might Need

When you apply, make sure you have these ready:

Curriculum Vitae (CV): Your updated resume.
Permission Letter: If you're applying during your coursework, you'll need a formal permission letter from your Supervisor or Head of Department.

After your internship is successfully completed, you will need to submit:

Detailed Report: A comprehensive report on the work you've done.
Presentation: A presentation on your work, if required by the department.

FAQ’s

What happens if a candidate selected for the internship decides not to join?

If a selected candidate withdraws from the internship, they will be ineligible for any future internships with ICCR. In such cases, the next candidate on the merit list will be offered the internship opportunity.

Can interns use the findings from their internship work without ICCR's permission?

No, interns are strictly prohibited from using any research or outcomes from their internship without obtaining prior written approval from ICCR. The intellectual property rights belong to ICCR.

What is the role of the Selection Committee in the internship process?

The Selection Committee, consisting of at least three ICCR officials, is responsible for both the preliminary screening of applications and conducting the personal interviews to select the interns.

What security checks are performed before the internship begins?

After selection and before the internship starts, ICCR will conduct security verification and vetting based on the personal details provided by the intern.

Are interns required to sign a declaration of confidentiality?

Yes, absolutely. Before starting, interns must sign a declaration of secrecy, committing to maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of all information related to ICCR.

What are the responsibilities of an intern during the program?

Interns must be punctual, keep a log of their work and learning, follow the code of conduct, be polite and honest, and show commitment to their tasks. They also need to submit a project report upon completion.

How long is the internship for each selected candidate?

Each intern will be engaged for a maximum period of four months. A total of 15 interns can be accommodated by ICCR throughout the year.

Can ICCR end the internship program prematurely?

Yes, ICCR reserves the right to terminate an intern's program at any time without needing to provide a specific reason. Their decision in such matters is final.

Will I receive a certificate after completing the internship?

Yes, upon satisfactory completion of your internship training and submission of your report, ICCR will issue a certificate to you. Your training institution will also be notified.

What if I want to leave the internship program before it ends?

You can choose to leave the program by giving ICCR one month's prior notice. However, if you decide to leave, you won't be considered for any future internships with ICCR.

Who owns the intellectual property generated during the internship?

All outcomes from the studies and work done during the internship are considered the intellectual property of ICCR. Interns need prior permission to use them.

How is the final internship report reviewed?

Your training report will be checked by the Unit Head or Head of the department before you submit it to the Deputy Director (Skill Development) at ICCR.

Are there any financial provisions for travel or accommodation for interns?

No, ICCR does not provide any financial assistance for travel, accommodation, or food. Interns are responsible for covering these expenses themselves.

How many applicants are typically invited for the personal interview?

For every internship slot available, three candidates will be invited to the personal interview stage. This means the number of candidates called for interviews will be three times the number of interns to be engaged annually.

Must interns maintain confidentiality even after the internship ends?

Yes, interns are expected to maintain complete confidentiality and secrecy regarding any ICCR-related information, even after the internship period is over.