Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 9th January 2026

NHRC, India’s four- week in- person Winter Internship Programme concludes

80 students from various universities across the country successfully complete it

Addressing valedictory session, NHRC, India Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian says, internship aims to ignite curiosity and inspire a search for learning among students to find a purpose in life

The four-week in-person Winter Internship Programme (WIP) of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India concluded in New Delhi today. 80 students selected from over 1,485 applications from different universities across the country completed it successfully.

Addressing the valedictory session, NHRC, India Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian said that the programme aims to broaden interns’ thinking and encourage introspection to add worth to their lives as human beings. It also aims to ignite curiosity and inspire a search for learning to find a purpose in life. There must be a competition between the person you are today and the person you were yesterday.

Emphasising that learning is possible from everything, Justice Ramasubramanian said that happiness in life depends on doing things what one likes to do constructively with complete focus. He urged the interns to spread the knowledge they acquired during the internship and become the ambassadors of human rights.

He said that interns come from various parts of the country. Thus, the internship provides an opportunity to know and understand from each other what our country is all about. Quoting Ramayana, he said that there is no greater heaven than your mother and motherland and they must start loving their country.

Congratulating the interns, NHRC, India Member, Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi said that seeds of understanding human beings and human rights have been sowed through this internship. They had the opportunity to learn from some of the best minds, who shared their knowledge and perspectives about human rights mechanisms. He expressed the hope that they would contribute meaningfully for the betterment of society.

Earlier, NHRC, India Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal said that learning is as important as unlearning certain biases and prejudices to evolve as good human beings. Opportunities like internship with the NHRC deepen our understanding of life, dignity, respect and civility. At the end of the day, it is the values one carries that make all the difference. Skills and knowledge without purpose and values have no meaning. He urged the interns to become model citizens having knowledge, skills, values and purpose in life. The Secretary General said that post-internship, the interns are human rights defenders. They should stand up against wrong things to make society better.

NHRC, India Joint Secretary, Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak presented the internship report, highlighting the achievements of the programme and announcing the winners of the book review, group research project presentation and declamation competitions. She commended the commitment, dedication and active participation of the interns throughout the programme. She also urged them to internalise the idea of justice, dignity and equality for all.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Lt. Col. Virender Singh, Director, NHRC, India. NHRC, India senior officers including Shri Joginder Singh, Registrar (Law) and Shri Gaurav Garg, Deputy Inspector General (Investigation), among others, were present.

The internship programme featured sessions by eminent speakers including the NHRC Chairperson, Members and senior officers, serving and former senior officers from various commissions and ministries, representatives of civil society organisations and other experts. The interns also had field visits to Tihar Jail, police station and SHEOWS NGO to gain a first-hand understanding of real-world challenges and practical aspects of human rights advocacy.

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