Social Welfare Internship Program is an internship initiative launched by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi to provide practical exposure to undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Rehabilitation Sciences, Nursing, Law, Special Education, and other related disciplines. Through this program, selected interns receive supervised training at Homes and Institutions for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens operated by the Department. Although the internship is conducted on a No-Cost basis without any stipend or honorarium, it offers valuable practical experience in social welfare administration, rehabilitation services, and institutional care.
Delhi Social Welfare Internship Program Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Social Welfare Internship Program |
| Implementing Branch | Research, Training and Evaluation (RTE) Branch |
| Guidelines Issued On | 22 July 2026 |
| Eligible Applicants | Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students |
| Eligible Disciplines | Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Rehabilitation Sciences, Nursing, Law, Special Education, and related fields |
| Preferred Stage of Study | After Second Year / Fourth Semester |
| Internship Type | Field-Based and Research-Based |
| Placement | Homes and Institutions under the Department of Social Welfare |
| Stipend | Not Available (No-Cost Basis) |
| Application Mode | Offline (Directly or Through College/University) |
| Approving Authority | Head of the Department of Social Welfare |
| Internship Duration | As Approved by the Department |
| Official Website | socialwelfare.delhi.gov.in |
Introduction of Delhi Social Welfare Internship Program: A Brief Insight
The Social Welfare Internship Program is an internship initiative introduced by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi to provide students with practical exposure to institutional care, rehabilitation services, and social welfare administration. The Department notified the programme through its official guidelines issued on 22 July 2026, allowing eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students to undertake internships in various Homes and Institutions operated by the Department.
The primary objective of the programme is to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical field experience. Through supervised internships, students gain first-hand exposure to the functioning of institutions serving Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens, enabling them to understand welfare administration, rehabilitation practices, counselling support, and community-based care from a practical perspective.
The programme offers both Field-Based and Research-Based internship opportunities. Depending on the approved internship plan, participants may engage in resident care, rehabilitation activities, documentation, institutional administration, surveys, case studies, and evaluation of welfare programmes under the guidance of departmental officials. Research involving Persons with Disabilities is governed by the conditions specified in the official guidelines.
Unlike conventional internship programmes, the Social Welfare Internship Program is conducted on a No-Cost basis. The Department neither charges any participation fee nor provides a stipend or honorarium to interns. Eligible applicants are required to submit the prescribed documents, including a recommendation from their educational institution, and obtain approval from the competent authority before joining the internship.
The internship is open to eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing courses such as Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Rehabilitation Sciences, Nursing, Law, Special Education, and other related disciplines. Applications may be submitted either directly to the Department of Social Welfare or through the applicant’s college or university in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
Students interested in other internship opportunities offered by the Delhi Government may also explore the Viksit Bharat Delhi CM Internship Program, which provide practical exposure in different areas of public administration and governance. Similarly, readers looking for welfare initiatives administered by the Department of Social Welfare can also explore the Old Age Pension Scheme and the Disability Pension Scheme, both of which support the same beneficiary groups served by many of the institutions participating in this internship programme.
Further, our readers can check the Delhi Government Welfare Schemes List to explore various education, healthcare, social security, women empowerment, internship programmes, and other citizen-centric initiatives launched by the Government of NCT of Delhi.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Social Welfare Internship Program provides students with practical exposure to the functioning of institutions operated by the Department of Social Welfare. The programme is conducted on a No-Cost basis, which means the Department does not charge any fee from interns and does not provide any stipend or honorarium during the internship period.
- Practical Field Experience: Interns receive hands-on exposure by participating in the care, rehabilitation, and welfare activities carried out in the allotted Home or Institution under the supervision of departmental staff.
- Research Opportunities: Eligible interns may undertake research assignments, including case studies, surveys, and evaluation of welfare programmes and institutional services, subject to the guidelines prescribed by the Department.
- Skill Development: The internship helps students develop practical knowledge in areas such as counselling support, rehabilitation services, resident care, documentation, behavioural observation, vocational activities, community outreach, and institutional administration.
- Institutional Exposure: Interns may be placed in various Homes and Institutions operated by the Department of Social Welfare for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens, depending on the approved internship plan and availability.
- Academic Learning: The programme enables students to understand the practical implementation of social welfare policies, institutional care systems, and rehabilitation services through supervised field experience.
Internship Areas under the Social Welfare Internship Program
The Department of Social Welfare offers internship opportunities under two broad categories:
- Field-Based Internship: Students work directly in Homes and Institutions and gain practical exposure to rehabilitation, resident care, counselling support, daily institutional activities, and welfare service delivery under departmental supervision.
- Research-Based Internship: Students undertake research assignments such as case studies, surveys, programme evaluation, documentation, and welfare-related research. However, direct research involving Persons with Disabilities is governed by the conditions specified in the official guidelines.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
Students applying for the Social Welfare Internship Program must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Department of Social Welfare. The internship is intended for students pursuing higher education in disciplines related to social welfare, healthcare, rehabilitation, law, and other allied fields.
- Educational Qualification: The applicant must be pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate programme from a recognised college or university.
- Preferred Stage of Study: Applicants are generally expected to have completed at least the second year or fourth semester of their course before applying for the internship.
- Eligible Courses: Students enrolled in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Rehabilitation Sciences, Nursing, Law, Special Education, or other relevant disciplines related to social welfare may apply.
- Area of Internship: The internship is offered in Homes and Institutions operated by the Department of Social Welfare for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens.
- Additional Requirements: Applicants must comply with any other eligibility conditions or instructions issued by the Department of Social Welfare for the internship programme.
Documents Required to be Attached
Applicants seeking an internship under the Social Welfare Internship Program are required to submit the documents prescribed by the Department of Social Welfare. These documents help the Department verify the applicant’s educational background, institutional recommendation, and willingness to comply with the internship guidelines.
- Letter of Recommendation: A recommendation letter issued by the applicant’s college or university explaining the purpose of the internship and its academic relevance.
- Formal Request Letter: A written application for the internship along with a copy of the applicant’s valid College or University Identity Card.
- Educational Qualification Documents: Proof of the course, institution, and current academic year in which the applicant is enrolled.
- Signed Undertaking (Annexure-I): A duly signed undertaking confirming compliance with the Department’s code of conduct, confidentiality requirements, and applicable statutory provisions during the internship.
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
Eligible students can apply for the Social Welfare Internship Program by following the application process prescribed by the Department of Social Welfare. Applications may be submitted either directly by the student or through the concerned college or university, along with the required supporting documents.
Step 1: Ensure that you fulfil the prescribed eligibility conditions and are enrolled in a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate programme in an eligible discipline.
Step 2: Obtain a Letter of Recommendation from your college or university explaining the purpose and academic relevance of the proposed internship.
Step 3: Prepare a formal internship request along with your College Identity Card, educational qualification documents, and other supporting documents specified by the Department.
Step 4: Complete and sign the Undertaking (Annexure-I), confirming that you will comply with the Department’s code of conduct, confidentiality requirements, and all applicable guidelines during the internship.
Step 5: Submit the complete application either directly to the Department of Social Welfare or through the Head of your college or university.
Step 6: The Department examines the application and, if approved by the competent authority, issues a permission letter permitting the internship at the allotted Home or Institution.
Step 7: Carry the permission letter and your valid College Identity Card while reporting to the allotted institution and follow all instructions issued by the Department throughout the internship period.
Important: The duration of the internship is decided by the Department of Social Welfare based on the applicant’s academic requirements, internship objectives, and the approval granted by the competent authority. Submission of an application does not automatically guarantee selection or placement.
How Applications are Approved
Submission of an application does not automatically guarantee an internship. The Department examines each request and grants approval based on eligibility, academic requirements, institutional capacity, and the approval of the competent authority. Selected applicants receive an official permission letter before joining the allotted Home or Institution.
Code of Conduct for Interns
Students selected for the internship are expected to comply with the Department’s code of conduct throughout the internship period. Key responsibilities include:
- Maintain confidentiality of residents and institutional records.
- Follow all instructions issued by the concerned Home or Institution.
- Do not capture photographs, videos, or audio recordings without prior written permission.
- Do not publish or share information relating to residents or institutions without authorisation.
- Observe ethical standards while interacting with residents and staff.
Important Links Available
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
Applicants seeking information about the Social Welfare Internship Program may contact the Department of Social Welfare for clarification regarding the internship guidelines, application procedure, or other programme-related matters. For institution-specific queries, applicants may also contact the concerned Home or Institution where they intend to undertake the internship.
- Department of Social Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi
Research, Training and Evaluation (RTE) Branch
7th Floor, MSO Building, I.P. Estate, ITO,
New Delhi – 110002 - Institution-Level Contact: Applicants may contact the Superintendent of the concerned Home or Institution, who serves as the Nodal Officer for coordinating internship activities at that location.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the Social Welfare Internship Program?
Ans. The Social Welfare Internship Program is an initiative of the Department of Social Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi, that provides undergraduate and postgraduate students with practical exposure to the functioning of Homes and Institutions for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens.
Q. Who is eligible to apply for the Social Welfare Internship Program?
Ans. Students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate courses from recognised colleges or universities in disciplines such as Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Rehabilitation Sciences, Nursing, Law, Special Education, and other related fields may apply, subject to the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Department.
Q. Is any stipend or honorarium provided during the internship?
Ans. No. The internship is conducted on a No-Cost basis. The Department does not provide any stipend, honorarium, or financial assistance to participating interns.
Q. How can students apply for the internship?
Ans. Applicants must submit the prescribed documents, including a recommendation letter from their college or university, a formal request letter, educational documents, and the required undertaking, either directly to the Department of Social Welfare or through their educational institution.
Q. What type of work is assigned during the internship?
Ans. Depending on the approved internship plan, students may participate in field-based activities, rehabilitation services, counselling support, institutional care, documentation, research assignments, surveys, and other welfare-related activities under departmental supervision.
Q. Is the internship duration fixed?
Ans. No. The duration of the internship is decided by the Department of Social Welfare based on the applicant’s academic requirements, internship objectives, and the approval of the competent authority.
Q. Who approves the internship?
Ans. The final approval is granted by the competent authority in the Department of Social Welfare. Selected applicants receive a permission letter before reporting to the allotted Home or Institution.
Q. Is there an online application portal for the Social Welfare Internship Program?
Ans. No. The Department has not introduced any dedicated online application portal for this internship. Applications must be submitted as per the procedure prescribed in the official guidelines.
Q. Which Department conducts this internship?
Ans. The internship is conducted by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi through its Research, Training and Evaluation (RTE) Branch.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.