Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 29th May 2026

NHRC, India’s Online Short Term Internship Programme for May 2026 concludes

98 university-level students from diverse academic backgrounds shortlisted out of 1,417 applicants completed the programme

NHRC Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian says, today’s generation must not only focus on demanding change and reforms but also contribute meaningfully to society

Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal urges interns to reflect human rights values through conduct and compassion

The two-week Online Short Term Internship Programme (OSTI) of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has concluded today with 98 university-level students completing the programme. They were shortlisted out of 1,417 applicants from 29 states and union territories across the country. The internship began on 18th May 2026. Chairing the valedictory session, Justice V. Ramasubramanian congratulated the interns and urged them to go beyond academic success to become compassionate and responsible human beings. Highlighting the importance of sensitivity, social responsibility and human rights, he said that today’s generation must focus not only on demanding change and reforms but also on contributing meaningfully to society.

Highlighting India’s historical contributions to mathematics, science, philosophy and education, including the work of Aryabhata, Bodhayana and ancient universities like Takshila and Nalanda, the Chairperson urged the interns to reflect on restoring the spirit of love, giving and forgiveness in society. Referring to the evolution of human rights discourse, he underscored that for nearly 2000 years, societies relied on moral injunctions and duties rooted in religious literature. However, when such frameworks failed, the discourse gradually shifted from duties to rights, leading to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and the Protection of Human Rights Act in 1993, under which the NHRC was established. He emphasised the need to maintain a balance between duties and rights and urged interns to strive towards becoming better human beings.

In his valedictory address, NHRC, India Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal said protecting human rights is a collective responsibility. He said that after the completion of OSTI, the intern’s conduct, civility, behaviour and thoughtfulness should reflect the values they had imbibed at the institution. Urging interns to help those in need, including persons involved in begging, people with disabilities and victims of trafficking, he said that compassion and empathy reflect the constitutional values of justice, equality and fraternity. He also expressed the hope that they would build on the knowledge and sensitisation gained during the OSTI.

Before this, Smt. Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak, Joint Secretary, NHRC, presented the internship report and highlighted that the students were exposed to diverse aspects of human rights through interactive sessions with eminent speakers, including the Chairperson, Members, Secretary General, senior NHRC officers and officials from the Government of India. The programme also brought together eminent experts, academicians, NHRC core group members, representatives from civil society and international institutions, giving interns valuable exposure to both theoretical and practical dimensions of human rights. She also announced the winners of competitions such as book review, group research project presentation and declamation.

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