Introduction
The following details outline a 4-week offline unpaid research internship running from 13 December 2025 to 11 January 2026 for students enrolled in recognised higher education institutions in India. This article explains eligibility, core themes, participant responsibilities, timelines, deliverables, and the exact application process so prospective candidates can prepare and apply correctly.
Program overview and eligibility
This is an offline, unpaid research internship of four weeks scheduled from 13 December 2025 to 11 January 2026. It is open to students currently enrolled in recognised institutions in India—undergraduate, graduate, PhD or other higher education programs. The internship focuses on a range of consumer-related topics and requires full in-person participation during the specified period.
The thematic areas that participants will engage with are explicitly listed and form the substantive focus of the research and survey work:
- Consumer justice
- Misleading advertisements
- Junk food and health
- Unethical medical practices
- Right to Information (RTI)
- Cosmetics
- Sustainable consumption
Key timeline points for candidates to note:
- Selection communication: Applicants will be informed of selection between 8–11 December 2025.
- Induction workshop: The induction session for selected participants is scheduled on 13 December 2025, the first day of the internship period.
This program is strictly unpaid; there is no stipend and no reimbursement for travel or accommodation. Candidates should plan accordingly and ensure they can attend the offline program without expecting financial support from the organisers.
Participant responsibilities, structure, deliverables and application procedure
Participants are expected to contribute actively through structured research and hands-on tasks over the four-week period. The program includes both guided sessions and independent field or desk work aligned to the listed topics. The sequence of core activities and deliverables is as follows:
- Induction workshop: Attendance at the induction workshop on 13 December 2025 is mandatory. This session initiates the internship, outlines objectives, and sets expectations for mentors and participants.
- Research and surveys: Participants will conduct research and surveys on consumer issues within the program’s thematic areas. These activities form the primary substantive work and will feed into all subsequent outputs.
- Weekly in-person mentor meetings: Each participant will attend weekly face-to-face mentor meetings. These sessions are intended to provide guidance on methodology, progress checks, and refinement of survey and presentation materials.
- Preparation of presentation materials: Participants must prepare PowerPoint presentations and infographics summarising their research findings. These visual and oral communication deliverables are key to documenting and sharing research outcomes.
- Debriefing workshop: Toward the end of the internship, participants will take part in a debriefing workshop where findings are presented, discussed, and contextualised in relation to consumer issues addressed by the program.
- Final submission: At the conclusion of the internship, each participant is required to submit a completion and evaluation report. This formal report documents activities completed, survey results, and reflections as evaluated by mentors.
Together, these components form a coherent workflow: induction to set expectations, weekly mentorship for iterative development, research and survey work as the central activity, creation of presentations and infographics to communicate findings, a debrief workshop to synthesise results, and a final completion and evaluation report to close the internship.
Application instructions are precise and must be followed exactly:
- Send a typed application in Word or PDF format.
- Include a recent photograph as part of the application file.
- Email the application to: jayashree@consumersindia.co.in.
Selection outcomes will be communicated between 8 and 11 December 2025, and successful applicants should be prepared to attend the induction on 13 December 2025. Ensure your application is complete and follows the stated format to be considered.
Conclusion
This 4-week offline unpaid internship (13 Dec 2025 – 11 Jan 2026) offers a structured opportunity for higher education students in India to research consumer issues across seven specified themes. Participants must attend an induction, weekly in-person mentor meetings, prepare PPTs and infographics, participate in a debriefing workshop, and submit a completion & evaluation report. Apply by emailing a typed Word/PDF application with a recent photograph to jayashree@consumersindia.co.in; selections will be communicated 8–11 December 2025.
