Internship in Social Sciences at ISEC Bengaluru for 2026

Internship in Social Sciences at ISEC, Bengaluru for 2026

1) Introduction

Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) is one of the premier inter-disciplinary research institutions undertaking social science research in India. Established in 1972, ISEC has been instrumental in carrying out robust and competent research studies on various issues in social sciences. It has also been providing valuable policy feedback fostering integrated social, economic and political transformation, with an emphasis on equity and justice. Through both macro and micro-level studies, with inter-disciplinary approaches, the Institute’s mandate is to generate knowledge and provide information to improve the quality of policy-making and serve as a centre for excellence in research and training in social sciences. The Institute has been accredited with a team of renowned economists, sociologists, political scientists and educationists who are well known for their scholarship. Capacity building among young researchers is one of the main thrust areas of the Institute.

2) Objectives

The core objective of the internship programme of ISEC is to make young students (post-graduate level) undergo internship in various social science disciplines to understand nuances of, and participate in the inter-disciplinary, social science research.

This is achieved through:

• Providing a platform for understanding the rigour in the research on social science disciplines and enhancing the understanding towards analysing and addressing the social problems through hands-on training.

• Facilitate, instruct and orient the students in developing the research questions either for further studies or for independent research activity.

• Interaction with faculty, researchers and PhD scholars of nine different academic centres of ISEC.

First hand exposure in the arena of research and policy interplay and understand how research and policy complement and/or contradict with each other.

3) Duration

We have decided to have internship opportunities only in offline mode this year. Internship demands a full-time commitment for two months between May and August 2026. There will, however, be sufficient flexibility regarding the timing of the programme within these four months period. The students will be required to assist and discuss with the concerned faculty.

4) Stipend

The selected interns will be paid a stipend of Rs. 5,000/- per month for two months, based on diligence and deliverables. Free accommodation (excluding food) will be provided at ISEC hostels/Guest houses/Quarters only to the selected interns coming from outside Bengaluru city. Travel reimbursement (Train non-AC sleeper class) will also be provided to the selected interns coming from outside Bengaluru city.

5) Essential qualifications

Students pursuing post-graduation in social sciences (those who are between 2^nd and 3^rd semesters of Masters programme) are eligible to apply. 

6) Themes for Research

I. Agriculture

• Agricultural Economics, Agriculture and allied sectors; Agribusiness Rural development; Econometrics; Agricultural Production, Marketing, Meta Analysis, Price Analysis, Growth Analysis, AI and ML in Agriculture; Agriculture & natural resources management; Agriculture and development 

II. Environment and climate change

• Socioecology and climate change; Natural resources management; Environmental Valuation and Climate Change

III. Economic studies

• Economics and environmental economics; Trade, Industrial Economics and Development Economics with focus on HDI; Applied Economics, Development Economics & Socio-Economic Impact Analysis; Public finance

IV. Urban and Gender studies

• Urban studies, Land use and public transport; Urban environment; Gender studies, Women studies; Urban Governance, Urban Poverty, Urban Informality, Urban Development, Urban Political Ecology

V. Education and employment

• Education and Employment; Female Labour Force Participation; Education (particularly for tribal and marginalized communities); Migration, labour, human capital & development; Skill, labour & employment

VI. Public health, population

• Population and environment/Public health; Medical anthropology or public health

VII. Decentralisation and Development

• Local governments, cooperatives, fiscal decentralisation

7) How to apply

Application form can be downloaded from our website https://www.isec.ac.in/ by clicking this link Application Form (.pdf)

The filled-in application accompanied by two recommendation letters issued by the Head of the Department and a senior faculty member from the Department should be sent by post in an envelope with the superscription/subject as “Application for Internship at ISEC” to:

The Registrar, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Dr VKRV Rao Road, Nagarabhavi PO, Bengaluru 560 072.

Last date: Filled-in applications will be received until April 21, 2026.

ISEC will not be responsible for any postal delays. All applications will undergo a close scrutiny before selection. The decision of the selection committee will be final.

8) Contact

 For any queries, please write to 
registrar@isec.ac.in   or   internship@isec.ac.in