How to get an internship at ISRO? A special scheme for college students—what is the application process?
ISRO Internship and Student Project Trainee Scheme: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Space (DoS) offer students opportunities to undertake internships and academic projects in space science and technology. To facilitate this, DoS/ISRO has launched two schemes: the Internship Scheme and the Student Project Trainee Scheme. Their primary objective is to help students understand ISRO's operations and complete their projects.
What is the DoS/ISRO Internship Scheme?
This scheme is designed for students pursuing studies in science and technology.
Who can apply: Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), and PhD students.
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled in a recognized college or institute in India or abroad. Students who have completed their studies within the last six months prior to applying are also eligible.
Citizenship: Indian citizens only.
Duration: Maximum of 45 days.
Marks/CGPA: A minimum of 60% marks or a CGPA of 6.32 (on a scale of 10) is required.
What is the Student Project Trainee Scheme?
This scheme is for students who wish to undertake an academic project at ISRO as part of their curriculum.
A minimum of 60% marks or a CGPA of 6.32 is required for this scheme as well.
Eligibility and Duration by Course:
Course | Eligibility | Minimum Duration
--- | --- | ---
BE / B.Tech | Completion of 6th semester | 45 days
ME / M.Tech | Completion of 1st semester | 120 days
B.Sc / Diploma | Final-year students only | 45 days
M.Sc | Completion of 1st semester | 120 days
Ph.D | Completion of coursework | 30 months
Are all students selected?
No. Merely meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection. Whether or not a student secures a project or internship depends on the availability of seats, facilities, and experts at the respective ISRO center at that time.
Additionally, there must be alignment between the student's course of study and the work carried out at the center where they are applying.
Which ISRO centers offer opportunities?
Students can apply for internships or projects at various ISRO centers, including:
UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC)
Space Applications Centre (SAC)
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS)
National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)
ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC)
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR)
ISTRAC
National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL)
Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
Note: While the central scheme mandates a minimum of 60% marks, individual centers may have their own specific criteria. For example:
SAC has distinct guidelines for work-experience internships, dissertation internships, and research internships.
URSC requires a minimum of 70% marks for projects.
Therefore, it is essential to check the specific rules of the relevant center before applying.
Will there be any payment during the internship?
No. Students will not receive any stipend, remuneration, or financial assistance during the internship or project.
Will accommodation be provided?
ISRO is not obligated to provide accommodation to students. However, if space is available in the hostel or guest house, accommodation may be provided upon payment of the prescribed charges. In some cases, shared accommodation may also be offered. Students may also be granted access to canteen facilities, similar to regular employees.
What do students receive upon completing the internship?
If a student completes their work, submits the required report, and undergoes an evaluation by the concerned officials, they will be awarded a certificate.
How to apply?
There is no single common application form for ISRO as a whole. Students should keep the following points in mind:
Visit the official ISRO website and navigate to the webpage of your preferred center (e.g., URSC or SAC).
Check the eligibility criteria, application process, available projects, and submission deadlines for that specific center.
Apply in accordance with the center's guidelines.
At some centers, students are required to apply through their college or institute rather than applying directly. For instance, applications for projects at URSC must be routed through the institute.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we modified it for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
