ICRO Amrit Internship Programme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Practical experience can help young people understand how their education and skills can contribute to real-world challenges, particularly in agriculture and rural development. The ICRO Amrit Internship Programme provides this opportunity to eligible Indian students and young people aged 18 to 45 years. Through office-based and rural field placements, selected interns work on activities related to farmer awareness, agricultural practices, government schemes, rural productivity and environmental conservation. The programme offers a stipend of ₹6,000 per month, practical work experience, orientation and an internship completion certificate after successful completion. The initial internship period is three months, with the possibility of extension at ICRO's discretion.

The ICRO Amrit Internship Programme was launched by Indian Potash Limited (IPL) through its IPL Centre for Rural Outreach (ICRO), established jointly with the National Productivity Council (NPC) as part of IPL's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. NPC provides technical, implementation, supervision and managerial support to the programme. NPC is an autonomous organisation under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. ICRO's CSR activities have since been integrated into IPL Foundation to coordinate its rural development and outreach work.

To be eligible for the ICRO Amrit Internship Programme, applicants must be Indian citizens between 18 and 45 years of age. They should have passed Class 12, completed a diploma or graduation, or be in the final year of an undergraduate degree. Candidates with qualifications in agriculture or related subjects may receive preference. A recommendation letter from the applicant's college, university, institution or other eligible organisation is also required. Those applying for rural field placements should have access to a smartphone for surveys and other assigned activities.

Selected interns receive ₹6,000 per month during the internship. They also get an opportunity to learn through orientation sessions and an NPC e-learning module, followed by practical assignments. Depending on their placement, interns may work at NPC or IPL offices or participate in field activities through local institutions and organisations. Rural outreach interns may be required to conduct farmer surveys, collect responses and submit progress updates and a final report. No separate transport or other allowance is provided, and completion of the internship does not guarantee a job.

Students interested in other agriculture-related learning opportunities can also explore the MANAGE Internship Programme, which provides practical exposure to agricultural extension, research and rural development. Those pursuing undergraduate studies in agriculture and allied disciplines may find the Student READY Scheme useful for hands-on training, rural work experience and industry exposure.

Scheme Benefits

The ICRO Amrit Internship Programme offers young people an opportunity to earn a stipend while gaining practical experience in agriculture, rural development and productivity-related activities. Its main benefits include:

• Selected interns receive a monthly stipend of ₹6,000 during the internship period.
• Interns receive a completion certificate after successfully fulfilling the internship requirements.
• They gain practical experience through office-based assignments or rural fieldwork, depending on their placement.
• They receive orientation and access to an NPC e-learning module to improve their understanding of the assigned work.
• Rural field interns get an opportunity to interact with farmers and learn about agricultural practices, government schemes and rural development activities.
• Interns develop practical skills in farmer surveys, data collection, awareness activities, reporting and communication.
• The programme provides exposure to the working environment of the National Productivity Council (NPC), Indian Potash Limited (IPL) and associated field organisations.
• Rural outreach interns are expected to interact with 100 farmers during the internship and collect information about farming practices, awareness of government schemes and farmers' expectations.
• The initial three-month internship may be extended, subject to approval and programme requirements.

Internship Duration and Renewal

The ICRO Amrit Internship Programme initially runs for three months. However, interns may get an opportunity to continue their internship beyond this period, depending on the programme's requirements and ICRO's approval.

• The initial duration of the internship is three months.
• The internship may be renewed up to four times, subject to approval by ICRO.
• Extension is not automatic. It depends on the programme's requirements and the decision of ICRO.
• The internship is offered throughout the year, but actual placements depend on the availability of opportunities.

Types of Internships Offered

The programme provides opportunities to work on office assignments as well as rural outreach activities. The nature of the work depends on the placement and the requirements of NPC, IPL and the associated implementing agencies.

The rural outreach placement also includes orientation and training on survey methods, farmer interaction and the programme's e-learning material. The exact assignments are decided by the concerned implementing agency and programme coordinators.

Selection Process

The selection process for the ICRO Amrit Internship Programme depends on the type of internship and the available placements. Office-based internships and rural outreach internships follow different selection procedures.

Selection for Office-Based Internships

• Applicants must submit an online application along with a recommendation letter in the prescribed format.
• Applications are considered based on the recommendations of a selection committee constituted by the concerned institution, establishment, NPC, IPL or implementing agency.
• Placement at NPC or IPL headquarters and regional offices depends on the applicant's preference and the requirements of the concerned office.
• Selected applicants are informed about their placement and further instructions.

Rural Outreach Internship Selection

For rural outreach activities, the implementing agency is responsible for shortlisting candidates. As specified in the Rural Outreach Programme Guide, the agency shortlists 50 candidates and keeps 15 additional candidates on standby.

Shortlisted candidates complete the online application process and submit the required documents. The implementing agency guides them through the registration process and assigns villages for field activities.

The programme handbook does not prescribe a separate entrance examination for selection. However, selected interns are required to study the e-learning module and attempt its assessment as part of the internship.

Eligibility Requirements

The ICRO Amrit Internship Programme is open to students and young people who want to gain practical experience in agriculture, rural development and related activities. Applicants must meet the following conditions:

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
• The applicant must be between 18 and 45 years of age.
• The applicant must have passed Class 12, hold a diploma or degree, or be in the final year of an undergraduate course.
• Candidates with an educational background in agriculture or related subjects may receive preference.
• The applicant must submit a recommendation letter from their college, university, educational institution or another eligible organisation.
• Candidates applying for rural field internships must have access to a smartphone to complete surveys and other assigned tasks.

Required Documents

Applicants should keep the following documents and details ready before starting the online application process:

• Aadhaar card or another accepted identity proof.
• A recent passport-size photograph in JPG or JPEG format (up to 2 MB).
• Class 12 marksheet, diploma certificate or other educational qualification document, as applicable (PDF format, up to 2 MB).
• A recommendation letter in the prescribed format, signed by the authorised person and carrying the institution's or organisation's seal (PDF format, up to 2 MB).
• Bank account details, including account holder's name, bank name, branch, account number, IFSC code and MICR code.
• PAN details, as required for stipend-related formalities.

Steps to Apply

The ICRO Amrit Internship Programme accepts applications through its online registration portal. Before starting, keep your photograph, educational qualification documents and recommendation letter ready so that you can complete the process without interruption. Follow these steps to apply:

• First, open the ICRO Amrit Internship Portal. On the homepage, select the "New Registration" option to create your applicant account.
• Enter your name, email address, date of birth and mobile number in the registration form. You will also be asked whether you have a recommendation letter.
• Create a password that meets the requirements shown on the page and enter it again for confirmation. Submit the registration form to create your account.
• After registration, return to the homepage and select "Already Registered". Log in using your registered email address and password to proceed with the application.
• Fill in the remaining application details and upload the required documents, including your passport-size photograph, educational qualification proof and recommendation letter in the prescribed format.
• Check that all the information and uploaded documents are correct before submitting the application. Keep your login details safe for future access.

Selection is subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions, the decision of the NPC/IPL selection committee and the availability of internship placements. If you face any difficulty during registration or need to confirm whether applications are currently being accepted, contact ICRO at [email protected].

Important Terms and Conditions

Before joining the internship, applicants should understand the responsibilities and conditions attached to the programme. Selected interns are expected to follow the instructions given by their mentors, programme coordinators and the concerned organisation.

• Interns must complete the projects and assignments given to them during the internship and perform their duties carefully.
• Interns are required to share updates on their work with their mentor or programme executive weekly or fortnightly and submit the required progress reports.
• At the end of the internship, interns must submit a project or assignment report describing their work and learning experience. Rural outreach interns may also need to submit the prescribed feedback and other reports.
• Interns must not share confidential or proprietary information relating to NPC, IPL, ICRO or their clients during or after the internship without prior written permission.
• Interns are expected to maintain punctuality, courtesy, proper conduct and workplace discipline throughout the internship.
• NPC, IPL or ICRO may terminate an intern's engagement in cases of indiscipline or misconduct, as provided in the programme handbook.
• An intern who wishes to leave the programme must give seven working days' prior notice to the concerned head. However, the handbook states that an intern leaving in this manner will not receive a completion certificate.
• The internship is not considered employment and does not provide any assurance of a permanent job with NPC, IPL or ICRO.

Relevant Links

• National Productivity Council (NPC) – Official Website
• ICRO Amrit Internship Programme – Programme Details
• ICRO Amrit Internship Programme Guidelines
• ICRO Amrit Internship – Application Portal
• ICRO Amrit Internship – English Handbook
• IPL Foundation – Official Website

Contact Information

For queries about the ICRO Amrit Internship Programme, application procedure or internship placements, applicants can contact the IPL Centre for Rural Outreach (ICRO) using the following details:

IPL Centre for Rural Outreach (ICRO)

• Phone: 011-24607320
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: NPC Building, 5-6 Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110003.