The Indian Army Internship Programme 2026-27 is now open for applications, with the Army inviting students from across India to work alongside its teams on live, technology-driven projects. Announced by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI), this is the second edition of a paid internship that the Army has said will run as an annual feature. Applications are being accepted through the AICTE National Internship Portal, where each opportunity is posted separately with its own role, eligibility and closing date.

The programme, known widely by its short name IAIP, runs for 75 days. Of that, 60 days are spent on practical training and office work, followed by 15 days of work from home. The physical component is based in the Delhi and NCR region. Interns are placed on real military applications and mentored by serving officers and subject matter experts, which is the part most students will not find anywhere else on a resume.

What the Indian Army Internship Programme covers

This edition spans a wide set of emerging-technology domains. The listed areas include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking, Quantum Computing and Cryptography, Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Space and Satellite Technologies, Advanced Weapon Systems and Defence Electronics, 5G and 6G Communication Technologies, Financial Technologies, and Mass Communication and Mass Media. The Army has indicated that more domains sit under the programme than the headline list suggests, so students from fields beyond core engineering are worth their while checking the portal too.

Each domain is broken into specific project roles. A data analysis listing, for instance, asks for a data management intern to build and maintain spreadsheets, clean and organise data from multiple sources, and prepare charts and dashboards in tools such as Excel and Power BI. The takeaway is that the Army is not filling one generic vacancy. It is posting many small, well-defined projects, and applicants are expected to shortlist the ones that match their course and skills.

Who can apply to the Indian Army Internship Programme

Eligibility is set per project rather than for the programme as a whole. The data analysis role, to use the same example, is open to candidates holding or pursuing a B.Tech, B.E. or equivalent in Computer Engineering or Computer Science, and also to those with a Diploma in Engineering in Computer Engineering. Other domains carry their own requirements, and past editions have drawn final-year and postgraduate students along with research scholars.

Two conditions cut across every listing. An applicant must be available for the full 75 days, and police verification is mandatory before joining. Students who cannot commit to the complete duration, or who cannot clear verification in time, should factor that in before applying.

Stipend, duration and credits

The internship is paid. At the programme level the stipend goes up to Rs 75,000, released only after successful completion and calculated on the intern's attendance across the 75 days. Individual projects may cap the amount lower; the data analysis listing, for example, shows a ceiling of up to Rs 60,000. One rule is firm across the board. An intern with less than 75 percent attendance is not eligible for any stipend at all.

Selected students also earn 15 credits under the AICTE framework, along with a recognised certificate from the Indian Army on completion. The Army has separately spoken of the programme opening a potential recruitment pathway and project incubation opportunities, while making clear that the internship itself does not guarantee placement or employment.

Rules every applicant should note

The terms of engagement are stricter than a typical corporate internship, and worth reading in full before you commit. The dress code is formal. Working hours run from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Saturday. Smartphones and laptops are not allowed inside the office premises and must be deposited at the security gate, with only basic non-smartphones permitted; the Army provides workstations with internet access for the work itself. Accommodation is not part of the offer, so anyone travelling to Delhi for the physical phase needs to arrange a place to stay well in advance.

How to apply for the Indian Army Internship Programme 2026-27

Applications go through the AICTE National Internship Portal. Students register on the portal, open the dedicated Indian Army dashboard, browse the live internship list, and apply to the specific projects that fit. A candidate may apply to more than one Army internship, but can accept only one offer letter, so it pays to choose carefully.

There is no single deadline for the whole programme. Each listing carries its own last date, and some windows are short. The data analysis project noted above, posted on 24 July 2026 with a start date of 31 August 2026, closes on 3 August 2026. Anyone interested in a particular role should check its exact closing date on the portal rather than assume a common cut-off.

Documents to keep ready

Selected candidates must carry originals and photocopies on the day of joining. These include a current degree verification certificate issued by the registrar or head of department, a police verification certificate from the relevant local authority, a government photo ID such as an Aadhaar card or driving licence, and a set of recent passport-size photographs. Incomplete documentation can lead to disqualification, so the paperwork is best assembled early.

The official announcement carrying the full domain list and the application link was posted on the Indian Army's ADG PI handle, and the live listings sit on the AICTE portal's Indian Army dashboard.