Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Internship Programme 2026 | Delhi | Apply by 04 March 2026 (Extended)

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Internship Programme 2026 | Delhi | Apply by 04 March 2026 (Extended)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced the second edition of its MEA Internship Programme, aimed at enhancing diversity, gender inclusivity, and wider socio-economic representation among interns engaged by the Ministry.

📍 Location: MEA Headquarters, New Delhi
⏳ Last Date to Apply: 04 March 2026 (5:00 PM) (Extended from 25 February)
🌐 Application Portal: https://internship.mea.gov.in/internship

🔹 About the Programme

The MEA Internship Programme is designed to provide young scholars exposure to:

• India’s foreign policy framework
• Diplomatic functioning of MEA divisions
• Public interface mechanisms
• Role of the Ministry in assisting Indian citizens

Interns will gain practical insight into policy formulation, international relations, and administrative functioning of the Government of India.

🔹 Eligibility Criteria

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Minimum qualification:
  • Graduate degree from a recognized university, OR
  • Final-year undergraduate student (where internship is mandatory in curriculum)
• Age Limit: Not exceeding 25 years as on 31 December of the year of internship

🔹 Duration & Intake

• Internships are offered in two six-month terms annually:

  • Term 1: April – September
  • Term 2: October – March

• Each intern will be engaged for:

  • Minimum: 1 month
  • Maximum: 3 months

• Maximum 30 interns per term

🔹 State & UT-Wise Allocation (Quota-cum-Weightage System)

Intern selection follows a quota-cum-weightage system ensuring representation across States and Union Territories.

Term 1 (April – September)

States: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra

Union Territories: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Delhi

Term 2 (October – March)

States: Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand & West Bengal

Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Puducherry

Distribution Pattern Per Term:

• 26 interns from the 14 States (combined)
• 02 interns from the 4 UTs (combined)
• 02 interns with highest marks from TADP districts / underprivileged sections

🔹 Minimum 30% seats reserved for women candidates

🔹 Selection Process

The entire process is conducted online through the MEA Internship Portal.

Stage 1: Preliminary Screening

• Based on academic performance in +2 and Graduation
• Separate state-wise merit lists for male and female candidates
• Priority to applicants from TADP districts

Stage 2: Personal Interview

• Conducted via video conferencing
• Weightage given to SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates
• Candidates called for interview: 3 times the number of seats
• Final selection: Maximum 30 candidates per term

If a selected candidate declines, the next candidate in the merit list of that state will be offered the opportunity.

🔹 Stipend & Benefits

• ₹10,000 per month honorarium
• One-time to and fro economy class airfare (subject to ceiling) between:
  • Domicile State capital and Delhi
    OR
  • College/University and Delhi

⚠️ Interns must arrange their own accommodation and boarding in Delhi.

🔹 Application Procedure

Interested candidates must apply online only via the official portal:

🔗 https://internship.mea.gov.in/internship

Candidates must register on the portal to obtain access credentials for the application and selection process.

This internship offers a prestigious opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to India’s diplomatic and foreign policy ecosystem while contributing meaningfully to governmental functioning.

Follow Legal Chariot for more such opportunities, competitions and legal updates.

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legalchariot
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legal-chariot

#MEAInternship #MinistryOfExternalAffairs #GovernmentInternship #PublicPolicy #InternationalRelations #DelhiInternship #LegalChariot