Brand names, empty wallets: The harsh reality of unpaid internships in India

India Today

3 days ago

Have you ever worked for free? If yes, then you know what it feels like to contribute time, skill, and effort, and receive no money in return. For thousands of students across India, this is not an exception but the norm.From sprawling metros to small-town campuses, thousands of Indian students reluctantly labour for free each year. They pour hours into meaningful projects, sometimes even high-stakes research, yet walk away without a single rupee in their pocket.advertisementAt best, they earn 'exposure'; at worst, they accrue mounting expenses on travel, food and rent. Even some of India's biggest private firms, think tanks, media houses, and government-linked institutions continue to offer unpaid or barely-paid internships.
Despite rising awareness about fair pay, unpaid internships remain deeply entrenched. According to a recent Internshala report, approximately 35 percent of internships in India offer no stipend at all, with another 25 percent paying below Rs 3,000 per month.In fields from the media to tech, corporate giants, NGOs and government bodies alike continue to rely on unpaid or underpaid interns.Many students accept these roles as rites of passage, believing that the right name on their CV will unlock future opportunities. Others feel trapped by intense competition and a lack of paid alternatives.But the real costs, financial and emotional, can be crippling.ECONOMIC BARRIER TO ENTRYThe harshest truth about unpaid internships is that they're not equally accessible. For students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities or modest financial backgrounds, working for free is a luxury they can't afford.'Financially, it was tough at times, especially since I had to manage my own expenses,' says Aman, who interned at Makonis Solutions and IIT Guwahati.
For students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities or modest financial backgrounds, working for free is a luxury they can't afford.
While he made the most of the opportunity and called it "truly rewarding," he admitted that being paid would have added 'more confidence and encouragement.'Others are forced to skip internships altogether, missing out on the hands-on learning and resume value that their peers, often from wealthier backgrounds, gain for free.THE PRESTIGE TRAPFor many, the lure of a big name justifies the lack of pay. Prestigious institutions frequently defend unpaid roles by offering intangible benefits like 'networking' or 'exposure.'advertisement'It was a reputed company, Reliance Industries Ltd, where I would get to work with high-level professionals and get good exposure to the real work environment,' shares Trisha Pal, explaining why she took the role despite financial strain.In other words, students are told: 'Ohh! We are giving you a brand name to make your resume efficient. What else do you need?'This mindset normalises the absence of even a basic stipend, subtly shifting the value of internships from learning and growth to name-dropping in job interviews.MENTAL HEALTH AND BURNOUTBeyond finances, unpaid internships can have serious emotional consequences. Students often juggle coursework, travel, rent, and full-time work schedules, without any financial compensation or proper mentorship.'It was not easy and things were not in good condition at that time. Financially, I had to depend on my parents a lot, and that made me feel a bit guilty sometimes,' says Kirti Gupta, who interned at the Archaeological Survey of India.'Emotionally, it was tiring sometimes, managing studies, travel, and the internship without getting paid did feel unfair at times. There were moments I questioned if it was worth it, especially when I saw some of my fellow mates doing paid internships.'advertisementWhen the work isn't valued, or worse, goes unrecognised, it chips away at confidence and leads to burnout.
Students often juggle coursework, travel, rent, and full-time work schedules, without any financial compensation or proper mentorship.
URBAN VS. RURAL DIVIDEThere are more serious consequences of unpaid internships. For example, students based in metropolitan cities may find it easier to navigate unpaid roles, often relying on family support for living costs.In contrast, students from smaller towns incur major expenses, housing, food, and transport, just to participate. Trisha Pal points out how she had to cover all her expenses from her own pocket during her internship, making the unpaid nature of the work even harder.The opportunity gap between these two groups widens as a result.THE CLASS DIVIDEUnpaid internships quietly favour the already privileged. Those who can afford to work for free get early access to networks, mentorship, and job recommendations. Those who can't are left behind, not due to lack of talent, but due to economic limitations.advertisementKirti openly admits, 'Yes, many times I felt like I was missing out on important internship opportunities just because I could not afford to work for free. It felt unfair, like some doors were closed just because I did not have the money, not because I was not good enough.'GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES AND POLICY GAPSEven government-linked institutions fall short. Many internships at bodies like NITI Aayog or the Parliament remain unpaid or underpaid.Though the National Education Policy 2020 encourages internships for holistic learning, there is still no strong mandate to provide minimum pay or address inclusion.Without formal guidelines or enforcement, students are left at the mercy of organisational goodwill.
Many internships at bodies like NITI Aayog or the Parliament remain unpaid or underpaid.
THE RS 5,000 REVOLUTIONWhile a stipend of Rs 3,000-5,000 may seem modest, it can be life-changing for a student. It pays for recharges, meals, and occasional travel, and, more importantly, it respects the intern's time.'Even if both have similar learning values, there is no harm in going for the paid one since it would be an additional benefit no one would miss out on,' Trisha Pal said.advertisementKushagra Singh, who interned at a multinational company, echoed the same: 'If I know I will get the same exposure in both institutions, then I will go to the one which is giving me extra benefits.'SO, WHY DO UNPAID INTERNSHIPS STILL EXIST?Unpaid internships persist because companies reap 'free' labour under the guise of opportunity.Because the system still rewards the illusion of opportunity over actual support. As long as students are willing to work for brand names or are forced to accept free labour due to lack of alternatives, the cycle continues.To break the cycle, three steps are crucial:Legislative action - enforce minimum stipends and transparent selection criteria.Institutional commitment - companies should budget for fair intern compensation.Student advocacy - candidates must value their own worth and demand pay.Aman, despite acknowledging the downsides, summs it up best: 'I didn't let the lack of pay stop me. I was focused on grabbing any opportunity to learn.'But should students have to choose between growth and survival? Or can we start treating interns as contributors and not just future potential?- Ends