MEA Internship 2026: Applications Open for October Intake, ₹10,000 Monthly Stipend

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has opened applications for its 2026 Internship Programme Term II, giving eligible students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical exposure to the working of India’s foreign policy and diplomatic system.

The October 2026 intake will run from October 2026 to March 2027, with applications open until September 27, 2026. Interested candidates have to apply through the official MEA internship portal.

Who Can Apply for the MEA Internship?

The programme is open to Indian citizens who have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Students in the final year of an undergraduate programme can also apply if an internship is a mandatory part of their final-year curriculum.

Applicants must be 25 years old or younger as of December 31, 2026.

For the October-March term, the programme covers applicants from 14 states and four Union Territories. The states include Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. The covered Union Territories are Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

₹10,000 Monthly Stipend and Travel Support

Selected interns will receive an honorarium of ₹10,000 per month to help cover basic expenses.

The Ministry will also provide the cost of one round-trip air journey, subject to the prevailing economy-class airfare ceiling, between Delhi and the candidate’s domicile state capital or their college or university location.

However, selected interns will have to arrange and pay for their own accommodation and meals in Delhi during the internship.

How Will Selection Take Place?

The selection process will be conducted online and has two main stages: preliminary screening and a personal interview.

The Ministry uses a quota-cum-weightage system to improve geographical and social diversity among the interns. Academic performance is considered during preliminary screening, while the interview is conducted through videoconferencing.

For the current intake, the application deadline is September 27. The shortlisted candidates are scheduled to be announced on October 7, according to the published timeline.

What Will Interns Do?

The internship provides students with exposure to the formulation and implementation of India’s foreign policy.

Interns can be assigned research and analytical work by the concerned division of the Ministry. Their responsibilities may include conducting research, preparing reports, analysing developments and completing other tasks assigned by the relevant division.

At the end of the internship, interns are required to submit a detailed report on their work and may also be asked to make a presentation.

Why It Matters for Students

The programme gives eligible students an opportunity to move beyond classroom learning and gain experience inside a central government ministry.

For students interested in international relations, political science, economics, journalism, public policy, law or related fields, the internship can provide exposure to research, government processes and foreign-policy work.

The current intake also highlights the growing importance of internships as a bridge between academic education and practical professional experience.

Students who meet the eligibility requirements and are interested in the programme should check the official MEA internship portal before applying, particularly because the September 27 deadline is approaching.