FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Abhijit Sen Rural Internship

1. Who is eligible for the internship?
A. Any student pursuing an undergraduate or post-graduate course in any field from any Indian public university/college/technical educational institution who wants to explore rural India and build their research capacity is eligible to apply.

2. Is it open to international students?
A. No, the internship programme is open only to Indian applicants studying in an Indian public educational institution.

3. Can I apply if I have already/recently finished my post-graduation?
A. No. The internship programme is designed only for students currently pursuing an undergraduate or post-graduate course.

4. I am a student at an Indian private college/university. Can I apply for the rural internship?
A. The rural internship is essentially designed for students enrolled in a public university/college/technical educational institution. However, if you are enrolled in a private educational institution and belong to the Dalit, Adivasi, Tribal or any other minority community, your application will be considered.

5. How can I apply for the internship? What is the last date of applying?
A. We accept applications only through the application form given on the NFI website. The deadline for applications is 21 st May (Sunday) at midnight. No applications will be considered beyond that.

6. Will I get a certificate at the end of the internship?
A. Yes, you will receive an experience certificate from NFI along with the stipend on the completion and submission of the final research report.

7. Is this a paid internship opportunity?
A. Yes, you will receive a stipend of Rs. 20,000 on the successful completion of the internship, that is, after you have submitted the research report.

8. When will I have to leave for the internship?
A. The tentative timeline for the in-person induction workshop of the internship is from 25 th June to 30 th June in Delhi. The field visit will tentatively begin on 1 st July.

9. Is it mandatory to attend the induction workshops?
A. Yes, it is mandatory to attend the induction workshops. The internship programme focuses on sensitising the interns towards the rural economy and encouraging rigorous academic scholarship. Hence, it is necessary to hold a rational, scientific and research-oriented approach during the fieldwork, which will be covered meticulously during the induction process. The induction will consist of sessions on key research areas, research methodology and report writing.

10. Can I choose the state for the internship?
A. You can list your preferences for any three states in the application form. However, the final decision regarding placements will be made by NFI based on the intake capacity of the host organisation in the selected states.

11. Who will arrange for my accommodation during the internship?
A. NFI will make all necessary travel and accommodation arrangements during the internship. NFI will also cover the expenses of the same.

12. Can I commit to the internship for less than 45 days?
A. No. The duration of the internship is a well-planned, integral part of the programme. The 3-4 weeks of field exposure will provide you with the basic knowledge and the quintessential data required to develop your research report. A commitment for the entire duration is a must to qualify for the application process and to be eligible for the internship certificate and stipend.

13. Can I come back in the middle of the fieldwork duration?
A. No. Once you have been selected and placed with an NGO, you will be required to complete the entire duration of the fieldwork in one go.

14. What are the interns expected to do in the host organisation?
A. The host organisation will facilitate your research visit and will support you throughout the study. They will be the key link between NFI and you. The host organisation will also facilitate your exposure to the working areas and major challenges in their respective rural geographies and associated villages.

15. When will I have to submit the report?
A. The deadline for the submission of the report will be 15 days from the day of your return from the field.

16. When and how will I receive the stipend?
A. You will receive the stipend only after the submission of the research report at the end of the internship. The stipend will be credited to the bank account under your name. You will be asked to provide us with your bank account details once selected.