When should I apply for summer research internships in India?

Months before summer. The academies' 2027 fellowship closes on 30 November 2026. RBI takes applications from 15 October to 15 December. IIT Kanpur's SURGE took its 2026 registrations in February 2026.

Which research internships in India pay a stipend?

IIT Bombay's awards pay ₹15,000 a month. RBI pays ₹25,000 a month from April 2027. TIFR's mathematics programme pays an honorarium of ₹9,000. The academies pay a monthly fellowship and train fare. ISRO pays nothing.

Is the IASc summer research fellowship paid?

Yes. Selected fellows get round-trip train fare and a monthly fellowship for living costs. The announcement does not state the amount.

What is the last date for the IASc summer research fellowship 2027?

30 November 2026, according to the academies' announcement dated 10 September 2026. Selection news goes out around March to April 2027.

Does IIT Kanpur SURGE charge a fee?

Yes, for students from outside IIT Kanpur. The 2026 application fee was ₹750, and selected outside students paid ₹4,000 in administrative charges. Students also pay for hostel and mess.

Does ISRO pay interns?

No. ISRO's internship page says interns and project trainees get no stipend, remuneration or financial assistance.

Who can apply for the RBI summer placement?

Indian students studying in India, in the penultimate year of a postgraduate or integrated five-year course. Fields include economics, finance, banking, commerce, statistics, law and management. A three-year law degree also qualifies.

Can first-year students apply for IIT research internships?

Not for the ones listed here. SURGE takes BTech students in their third year and BSc or BA students in their second year. IIT Bombay takes third and fourth year bachelor's students.

Is insiderOne connected to these programmes?

No. insiderOne is an independent guide, not affiliated with any institute, academy, bank or agency listed here. Apply only on each programme's official website.

India guide

Research internships in India: who can apply, what they pay, and when

The academies' Summer Research Fellowship for 2027 closes on 30 November 2026. RBI's summer placement takes applications from 15 October to 15 December. IIT Bombay's awards pay ₹15,000 a month, and ISRO pays no stipend.

Below, each programme's eligibility, pay and window, as its official page states them.

Checked against the official sources below on 27 October 2026. insiderOne is an independent guide, not affiliated with any scheme or programme here. Official pages come first.

Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship (IASc, INSA, NASI)
IIT Kanpur SURGE
IIT Madras Summer Fellowship
IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards
RBI Summer Placements
TIFR Visiting Students Research Program (Mathematics)
ISRO internships and project traineeships
Paid internships open today

Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship (IASc, INSA, NASI)

Two months of research with a scientist, for students and teachers in India. Applications for 2027 close on 30 November 2026.

The three national science academies run it together: the Indian Academy of Sciences, INSA and NASI. Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship Program 2027, Announcement, heading
Students and teachers can apply from institutions affiliated to UGC, AICTE, MCI, accredited bodies or private universities. Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship Program 2027, Announcement, paragraph 2
A student gives the email of a teacher who knows their work. The academy asks that teacher for a recommendation. Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship Program 2027, Announcement, paragraph 2
You work with your assigned guide for two months, any time in the year, preferably in summer. Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship Program 2027, Announcement, paragraph 2
Selected fellows get round-trip train fare and a monthly fellowship for living costs. The announcement does not state the amount. Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship Program 2027, Announcement, paragraph 4
For 2027, applications close on 30 November 2026. Selection news goes out around March to April 2027. Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship Program 2027, Announcement, paragraphs 3 and 4
The 2026 round closed on 31 January 2026, so the last date can change from year to year. Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship Program 2026, Announcement, paragraph 4
The detailed eligibility rules and the list of guides appear inside the online application. Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship Program 2027, Announcement, paragraph 1

IIT Kanpur SURGE

About eight weeks of research at IIT Kanpur in summer, on campus. Only some students are funded, and selected students from outside IIT Kanpur pay fees.

Indian students from other institutions can apply in the third year of a BTech, BE, BArch, BS or five-year dual degree. IIT Kanpur SURGE 2026, eligibility, Category 2
BSc and BA students can apply in their second year. IIT Kanpur SURGE 2026, eligibility, Category 2
You need a CPI of at least 6.0, or 60%, up to your last completed semester. IIT Kanpur SURGE 2026, eligibility, Category 2
You submit a research proposal of up to 500 words and two recommendation letters from your own faculty. IIT Kanpur SURGE 2026, eligibility, Category 2, documents
SURGE 2026 took registrations from 2 to 22 February 2026 and announced results on 23 March 2026. IIT Kanpur SURGE 2026, important dates, Important dates, items 1 to 3
The 2026 programme was scheduled from 11 May to 10 July 2026. IIT Kanpur SURGE, home page, Home page
SURGE is offered on campus only. Requests to take part online are not accepted. IIT Kanpur SURGE 2026, important dates, Note below the charges
Students from outside IIT Kanpur pay a ₹750 application fee. Those selected pay ₹4,000 in administrative charges. IIT Kanpur SURGE, fees and logistics, Fees and logistics
Students stay in IIT Kanpur hostels and pay the hostel and mess charges. IIT Kanpur SURGE, fees and logistics, Fees and logistics
Institute funding pays up to ₹16,000 for the programme. Only students with a CPI of 8.5 or more are considered, for a limited number of places. IIT Kanpur SURGE, funding, Institute Funded Category
Other students may be funded by a faculty member's project, or take part self-funded with no stipend. IIT Kanpur SURGE, funding, Project Funded and Self Funded categories

IIT Madras Summer Fellowship

IIT Madras announced a Summer Fellowship for 2026 on its website. Its own pages do not state eligibility or a stipend, so read the call for your year before you pay.

IIT Madras lists Summer Fellowship 2026 among its announcements, with a link to its registration portal. IIT Madras, Summer Fellowship 2026 announcement, Announcement
The registration form asks for a verified email, personal and academic details, and documents. IIT Madras, Summer Fellowship registration, Registration form
The form ends with a Pay and Register step, so registration involves a payment. IIT Madras, Summer Fellowship registration, Registration form, last step

IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards

Four to six months of full-time research on an IIT Bombay faculty project, with a fixed stipend of ₹15,000 a month.

You must be in the third or fourth year of a bachelor's degree, or the second year of a master's. IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards, eligibility, Eligibility
You must be in the top 20% of your discipline in the previous year, with a certificate from your principal. IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards, eligibility, Eligibility
You must be a full-time student while applying and until the internship ends. Part-time internships are not allowed. IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards, eligibility, Eligibility
Interns work full time for four to six months and get a fixed stipend of ₹15,000 a month. IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards, About the Awards
Shared campus accommodation depends on availability, and is for candidates from outside Mumbai. IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards, About the Awards
This cycle's applications closed on 29 September 2026. Interviews run from 29 October to 6 November 2026. IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards, Important Dates
Results are due by 10 December 2026, and interns join between 21 December 2026 and 20 January 2027. IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards, Important Dates
You apply online, with a statement of purpose of about 500 words on why you want the project. IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards, how to apply, How To Apply

RBI Summer Placements

Up to three months at a Reserve Bank of India office, for students in the penultimate year of their course. The stipend is ₹25,000 a month from April 2027.

You must be an Indian citizen studying in India, in management, statistics, law, commerce, economics, econometrics, banking or finance. Reserve Bank of India, Summer Placements, Who can apply, point 1
Postgraduate and integrated five-year courses qualify. So does a three-year full-time law degree. Reserve Bank of India, Summer Placements, Who can apply, point 1 and note
You must be in the penultimate year of your course on the date you apply. Reserve Bank of India, Summer Placements, Who can apply, point 2
Applications are online from 15 October to 15 December, for placements from April of the next year. Reserve Bank of India, Summer Placements, How to apply
You apply to one office only: the one for the state your college is in. Reserve Bank of India, Summer Placements, General Rules
RBI selects at most 200 students a year. Shortlisted students are interviewed in January or February. Reserve Bank of India, Summer Placements, Selection
The placement normally lasts up to three months, between April and July. Reserve Bank of India, Summer Placements, Duration
The stipend is ₹25,000 a month from April 2027. Outstation trainees arrange their own accommodation. Reserve Bank of India, Summer Placements, Facilities
Selected outstation students get AC II tier return rail fare from their institute to the placement. Reserve Bank of India, Summer Placements, Selection

TIFR Visiting Students Research Program (Mathematics)

About a month of guided reading in mathematics at TIFR's School of Mathematics in Mumbai. Selected students get accommodation and an honorarium of ₹9,000.

It is for students enrolled in a bachelor's or master's programme, not for PhD students or college faculty. TIFR School of Mathematics, Visiting Students Research Program, Introduction
Master's students with a good record are selected. Exceptionally good BSc and BTech students are also accepted. TIFR School of Mathematics, Visiting Students Research Program, Introduction
VSRP 2026 ran on campus from 18 May to 18 June 2026. Applications ran from 6 February to 6 March 2026. TIFR School of Mathematics, Visiting Students Research Program, VSRP 2026
You apply online with a write-up of up to 400 words and the details of two referees. TIFR School of Mathematics, Visiting Students Research Program, Online registration
Selected students get accommodation and an honorarium of ₹9,000. TIFR School of Mathematics, Visiting Students Research Program, Accommodation and Honorarium

ISRO internships and project traineeships

ISRO takes Indian students in science and technology as interns or project trainees. It pays no stipend.

Internships are open to UG, PG and PhD students who are Indian citizens, in science or technology. ISRO, Internship and Projects, Internship Scheme
You need an aggregate of at least 60%, or a CGPA of 6.32 out of 10. ISRO, Internship and Projects, Internship Scheme
An internship lasts at most 45 days. ISRO, Internship and Projects, Internship Scheme
Project traineeships last at least 45 days for BE or BTech students, and at least 120 days for ME, MTech or MSc. ISRO, Internship and Projects, Student Project Trainee Scheme
Interns and project trainees get no stipend, remuneration or financial assistance. ISRO, Internship and Projects, Student Project Trainee Scheme
Each ISRO centre or unit handles its own applications, so apply through the centre's website. ISRO, Internship and Projects, Student Project Trainee Scheme

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Research programmes close months ahead. These internships in India state a stipend and are open on insiderOne now. Counted at 31 October at 2:30 am, India time: 98 paid internships open today. Best-paid first.

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Questions students ask about research internships in India

When should I apply for summer research internships in India?: Months before summer. The academies' 2027 fellowship closes on 30 November 2026. RBI takes applications from 15 October to 15 December. IIT Kanpur's SURGE took its 2026 registrations in February 2026.
Which research internships in India pay a stipend?: IIT Bombay's awards pay ₹15,000 a month. RBI pays ₹25,000 a month from April 2027. TIFR's mathematics programme pays an honorarium of ₹9,000. The academies pay a monthly fellowship and train fare. ISRO pays nothing.
Is the IASc summer research fellowship paid?: Yes. Selected fellows get round-trip train fare and a monthly fellowship for living costs. The announcement does not state the amount.
What is the last date for the IASc summer research fellowship 2027?: 30 November 2026, according to the academies' announcement dated 10 September 2026. Selection news goes out around March to April 2027.
Does IIT Kanpur SURGE charge a fee?: Yes, for students from outside IIT Kanpur. The 2026 application fee was ₹750, and selected outside students paid ₹4,000 in administrative charges. Students also pay for hostel and mess.
Does ISRO pay interns?: No. ISRO's internship page says interns and project trainees get no stipend, remuneration or financial assistance.
Who can apply for the RBI summer placement?: Indian students studying in India, in the penultimate year of a postgraduate or integrated five-year course. Fields include economics, finance, banking, commerce, statistics, law and management. A three-year law degree also qualifies.
Can first-year students apply for IIT research internships?: Not for the ones listed here. SURGE takes BTech students in their third year and BSc or BA students in their second year. IIT Bombay takes third and fourth year bachelor's students.
Is insiderOne connected to these programmes?: No. insiderOne is an independent guide, not affiliated with any institute, academy, bank or agency listed here. Apply only on each programme's official website.

Sources

Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship Program 2027. Announcement of the Indian Academy of Sciences, INSA and NASI, dated 10 September 2026.
Science Academies Summer Research Fellowship Program 2026. The 2026 announcement, dated 20 November 2025, on INSA's website.
IIT Kanpur SURGE, home page. Students-Undergraduate Research Graduate Excellence, run by IIT Kanpur's Office of Outreach Activities.
IIT Kanpur SURGE 2026, eligibility. Eligibility and documents for each category of applicant.
IIT Kanpur SURGE 2026, important dates. The 2026 timeline, with registration and administrative charges.
IIT Kanpur SURGE, fees and logistics. Application fee, administrative charges and hostel arrangements.
IIT Kanpur SURGE, funding. The funding categories for SURGE participants.
IIT Madras, Summer Fellowship 2026 announcement. Listed among IIT Madras's announcements, linking to the registration portal.
IIT Madras, Summer Fellowship registration. The registration form on IIT Madras's student services portal.
IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards. IIT Bombay's Industrial Research and Consultancy Centre: the award, its stipend and this cycle's dates.
IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards, eligibility. Year of study, academic standing and full-time conditions.
IIT Bombay Research Internship Awards, how to apply. The online application and what it asks for.
Reserve Bank of India, Summer Placements. Who can apply, how, selection, duration and stipend, on RBI's official opportunities site.
TIFR School of Mathematics, Visiting Students Research Program. The 2026 programme, its dates, what to submit, accommodation and honorarium.
ISRO, Internship and Projects. ISRO's internship and student project trainee schemes.

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