NHAI Winter Internship Programme 2026–27

NHAI Winter Internship Programme 2026–27 offers an excellent opportunity for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain practical exposure to highway infrastructure, engineering, project management and public administration. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is offering 541 winter internship positions across 125 ongoing National Highway projects, with selected interns receiving a stipend of ₹20,000 per month. The one-month programme is scheduled from December 2026 to January 2027.

Application deadline: 20 October 2026.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has opened applications for its Winter Internship Programme 2026–27. The programme aims to provide students with hands-on experience in India's highway development sector through live projects, field assignments and guidance from experienced NHAI professionals.

Are you a pre-final-year or final-year undergraduate or postgraduate student looking to gain practical experience beyond the classroom? This internship offers an opportunity to understand how national highways are planned, constructed, maintained and managed while developing professional skills relevant to engineering, technology, law, management and other eligible disciplines.

🛣️ NHAI Winter Internship Programme 2026–27 – Highlights

🚧 About NHAI Internship Programme

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for the development, maintenance and management of national highways across the country. Its internship programme aims to connect academic learning with practical experience in infrastructure development.

Selected students will work under the supervision of NHAI officials and gain exposure to ongoing highway projects, field operations and administrative functions. Interns may be assigned to NHAI project offices, other divisions or the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), depending on programme requirements and allocation.

The Winter Internship Programme 2026–27 is part of NHAI's broader initiative to strengthen industry–academia collaboration and prepare students for professional careers.

🔬 Internship Domains & Work Areas

The programme provides exposure to several technical and non-technical functions associated with national highway development.

Possible work areas include:

• Civil Engineering: Highway planning, construction, maintenance and infrastructure development.

• Computer Science & Information Technology: Digital systems, information management and technology applications.

• Electronics & Communication Engineering: Traffic monitoring, communication systems and intelligent transport technologies.

• Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering: Electrical infrastructure, monitoring systems and related technical operations.

• Data Science & Artificial Intelligence: Data analysis and technology-enabled infrastructure management.

• Law: Legal documentation, regulatory matters and infrastructure-related legal work.

• Management & Finance: Project coordination, finance, human resources and administrative functions.

• Mass Communication & Journalism: Communication, media and public information activities.

• Rajbhasha: Official-language-related work and documentation.

The specific assignment will depend on the student's discipline, project requirements and the availability of positions.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications

To apply for the NHAI Winter Internship Programme 2026–27, candidates must satisfy the eligibility requirements specified in the official announcement.

• Educational Qualification: Students must be pursuing a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course.

• Year of Study: Applicants must be in the pre-final or final year of their course.

• Recognised Institutions: Students enrolled at eligible recognised universities and institutions in India or abroad may apply, subject to programme conditions.

• Eligible Disciplines: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, IT, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Data Science/AI and related fields.

• Other Eligible Courses: BA LLB/Law, Mass Communication/Journalism, Rajbhasha, MA in HR/Industrial Relations & Personnel Management and MBA in HR, Finance, Marketing or equivalent.

• Institutional Approval: Applications must be verified and recommended by the student's institution through the internship portal.

• Institute Eligibility: Eligible institutions are identified using NIRF rankings and other recognised academic benchmarks.

NHAI has also reserved 100 seats for students from IITs and 150 seats for students from NITs to encourage participation from premier technical institutions.

Candidates should review the official portal for the complete eligibility rules and institution-specific requirements before applying.

💰 NHAI Internship Stipend & Benefits

Selected interns will receive a consolidated stipend of ₹20,000 per month, in accordance with the NHAI Internship Policy.

The key benefits include:

• Monthly Stipend: ₹20,000.

• Practical Exposure: Experience with ongoing national highway projects and related functions.

• Professional Mentorship: Guidance from experienced NHAI officials.

• Industry Experience: Exposure to real-world infrastructure development and project operations.

• Completion Certificate: Awarded upon successful completion of the internship.

The programme is designed to help students understand professional responsibilities and develop skills relevant to infrastructure, engineering, technology and public-sector projects.

⏳ NHAI Winter Internship Duration

The Winter Internship Programme will run for one month during December 2026–January 2027.

Students can indicate their preferred internship duration within the prescribed period while submitting their applications, taking into account differences in academic calendars.

NHAI will allocate interns to projects and offices based on merit, candidate preferences and the availability of positions.

Note: NHAI is also offering a separate six-month Term Internship Programme 2027, scheduled from January to June 2027. Its application is part of the same enrolment announcement but represents a different internship opportunity.

📅 NHAI Winter Internship 2026–27 – Important Dates

Important: Students should submit their applications before the deadline and allow sufficient time for their institution to verify and recommend their application. Only institute-approved applications will be considered for selection.

📝 How to Apply for NHAI Winter Internship Programme 2026–27?

Eligible students can apply through the dedicated NHAI Internship Portal.

1. Visit the official NHAI Internship Portal.

2. Locate the Winter Internship Programme 2026–27.

3. Review the eligibility requirements, available project details and application guidelines.

4. Complete the online application with the required personal and academic information.

5. Indicate your preferred internship duration and project location preferences, wherever applicable.

6. Submit your application through the portal before 20 October 2026.

7. Follow up with your college or university to ensure the application is verified and recommended by 10 November 2026.

8. Monitor the portal and your registered communication channels for selection updates.

The final allocation will be made by NHAI based on merit, preferences and the availability of internship positions.

📄 Documents & Information Required

Applicants should keep the following information and documents ready, subject to the portal's requirements:

• Academic and personal details

• Current college/university enrolment information

• Details of the degree and current year of study

• Academic mark sheets or transcripts, where requested

• Updated CV or resume, if required

• Institutional verification or recommendation

• Preferred internship duration and project location

• Any additional documents specified in the official application guidelines

Candidates should follow the portal's instructions for the exact document requirements and submission format.

⚠️ Important Note

The NHAI Winter Internship Programme is a temporary training opportunity, not a permanent employment position. Selection depends on eligibility, institutional approval, merit, project requirements and the availability of positions.

Students should submit accurate information and ensure that their institution completes the verification process within the prescribed timeline. The stipend and certificate are subject to the programme's official terms and successful completion requirements.

🌟 Why Should You Consider the NHAI Winter Internship?

For students interested in civil engineering, infrastructure development, transportation, data science, law, management or public administration, this internship can provide valuable professional exposure.

Working on live National Highway projects can help students understand how infrastructure projects operate beyond textbooks. The experience may also help them develop practical problem-solving skills, understand project coordination and explore future career opportunities in the transport and infrastructure sectors.

With 541 winter internship positions across 125 ongoing highway projects, the programme offers students an opportunity to learn from professionals working on important infrastructure initiatives.

📢 Final Words

The NHAI Winter Internship Programme 2026–27 is a valuable opportunity for eligible students to gain hands-on experience in highway infrastructure, engineering, technology and other professional domains. With a one-month duration, a stipend of ₹20,000 per month and opportunities across 125 ongoing National Highway projects, the programme can help students connect their academic knowledge with real-world work.

Interested candidates should carefully review the official eligibility requirements, complete their online applications and coordinate with their institutions for timely approval.