About the Institute

The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), an autonomous institute under the Department of Space, Government of India, is engaged in fundamental research across several scientific domains. These include Astronomy and Astrophysics, Solar and Heliophysics, Space and Atmospheric Sciences, Geosciences, Planetary Science and Solar System Exploration, Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, and Theoretical Physics.

Facilities & Campuses

PRL operates advanced experimental, observational, and computational facilities across four major locations. These include campuses at Navrangpura and Thaltej in Ahmedabad, the Infrared Observatory situated at Mt. Abu, and the Solar Observatory located in Udaipur. These facilities support cutting-edge research and scientific exploration in multiple specialised areas.

Research Areas

Research activities at PRL cover several advanced and niche domains such as planetary and space missions, astrochemistry, femtosecond laser studies, quantum communication, exoplanet discovery, biogeosciences, paleo-climatology, laboratory examination of meteorites and extraterrestrial samples, and neutrino physics.

About the Internship Programme

The summer internship programme provides an opportunity for interaction with scientists and engineers at PRL. It aims to support talented students and researchers from reputed academic institutions who are pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or research studies in science and technology fields relevant to PRL’s research activities.

Programme Objectives

The programme is designed to enable promising academic talent to collaborate with PRL scientists for mutual academic benefit. Participants gain insight into the functioning of a research institute and learn how theoretical knowledge can be applied to practical scientific challenges. This exposure may also help students make informed decisions about their future career paths.

Eligibility & Mode

Applications are invited from highly motivated and academically strong undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as college teachers who are Indian nationals. The Summer Internship Programme will be conducted in hybrid mode (both offline and online) at PRL from May 11 to July 10, 2026.

Project Details

Only a limited number of internship projects will be available. Selected participants will work on specific research projects under the guidance of faculty members at the institute. The project requirements will determine whether the internship is conducted online or on-site.

More Information

For additional information, interested applicants can visit the official website of PRL: https://www.prl.res.in/prl-eng/

Citizenship Requirement

Applicants must be Indian citizens to be eligible for the Summer Internship Scheme.

Academic Status

Candidates should be currently pursuing Undergraduate (UG) or Postgraduate (PG) studies at a recognised Indian university or institution.

Minimum Academic Requirement

Applicants must have secured at least 60% aggregate marks or a minimum CGPA of 6.32 on a 10-point scale across their academic records.

Preferred Academic Disciplines

Applications are encouraged from students studying Optics, Laser Physics, Space Physics, Geology, Geophysics, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Meteorology, Chemistry, Ocean Sciences, and other related scientific fields.

Preferred Fellowships / Background

Preference may be given to candidates who are KVPY Fellows, DST INSPIRE Fellows, or Summer Research Fellows selected by the three National Science Academies in India.

Required Knowledge

Applicants are expected to have a strong foundational understanding of basic physics and mathematics.

Internship Duration

11 May 2026 – 10 July 2026 (Approximately 2 months).

Eligible Applicants

Teachers with an academic background in Physics, Applied Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Optics, Laser Physics, Space Physics, Geology, Geophysics, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Meteorology, Chemistry, Ocean Sciences, or related disciplines are eligible to apply.

Current Position Requirement

Applicants must currently be teaching at the postgraduate or graduate level and should have a strong interest in research related to the research areas of Physical Research Laboratory (PRL).

Application Process

The internship application must be forwarded through the Head of the Institution or Principal. Applications submitted without the required recommendation will not be considered.

Selection Communication

Selected candidates will be notified via email after the selection process.

Queries Policy

Interim queries regarding the selection process will not be entertained. Applicants are requested to wait for official communication.

Internship Duration

11 May 2026 – 10 July 2026

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. degree along with a minimum of five years of teaching experience. Evidence of research interest through publications or projects is also required.

Project Information

A list of available research projects is provided in the official link along with the contact details of the respective project supervisors.

Contacting Supervisor

Students or teachers interested in a particular project must directly contact the project supervisor before applying.

Supervisor Capacity

A maximum of two students are allowed to work under one supervisor for the internship programme.

Application Process

Once the supervisor provides consent to the applicant, the candidate must complete the online application form for the internship programme.

Supervisor Confirmation

After the online application is submitted, the PRL supervisor will receive an email from the Dean’s office and must submit confirmation in the prescribed format before the last date: 03 April 2026.

Selection Process

After the deadline, all completed applications will be reviewed. The final selection decision will be communicated by the end of April 2026 to the selected students, teachers, and project supervisors.

Interaction with Supervisors

Once selected, candidates can begin initial interaction with their supervisors to discuss and plan their research project.

Offline Internship Visits

Students or teachers selected for offline projects will be allowed to visit Physical Research Laboratory and will receive instructions regarding the necessary procedures and formalities.

Bonafide Certificate Requirement

All student applicants must submit a Bonafide certificate issued by the Head of Department, Principal, or Director of their institute along with the required documents during the online application process.

Required Documents

Applicants must upload the following documents while filling the online form: • Recommendation Letter from HoD/Dean/Principal or Training & Placement Officer (Annexure-I) • Undertaking Form signed by the student, internal supervisor (if applicable), and HoD/Dean/Principal (Annexure-II) • Consent Letter from PRL Project Supervisor (Annexure-III)

Selection Notification

Selected candidates will be notified via email. No interim queries regarding the application status will be entertained.

Stipend Information

The internship programme does not provide any stipend, remuneration, or financial assistance to interns.

Faculty Contact Rule

Applicants should wait 3–4 days for a response from a faculty member before contacting another supervisor. Final selection is decided by the concerned faculty member, subject to eligibility criteria.

Reporting Procedure

Selected applicants must report to the Head of Academic Services at the Dean’s Office of Physical Research Laboratory with an official letter from their college/university.

Project Presentation

At the end of the internship, students must present their project in a seminar (online/offline). A soft copy of the project report, approved by the project guide, must be submitted before the programme ends.

Publication Restrictions

Any results or research work produced during the internship cannot be published or used without written permission from PRL.

Working Days

Internship working days follow PRL’s schedule (Monday–Friday), excluding official holidays.

Identity Card

Selected interns will receive a temporary PRL identity card which must be displayed while on campus.

Canteen Facility

Interns can use the PRL canteen on a paid basis at applicable rates.

Expenses

Medical and transportation expenses are not covered by PRL.

Attendance Rule

Interns must obtain prior permission for any absence. Unauthorized absence may result in termination of the internship and notification to their HoD.

Mode of Internship

The internship may be conducted in online or offline mode, depending on the project requirements decided by the PRL supervisor.

Certificate

A certificate will be issued after successful completion, including final seminar presentation and supervisor approval.

Research Publication Rule

Any article or paper based on internship work cannot be submitted to conferences, seminars, journals, or tech fests without PRL supervisor approval.

External Fellows

Summer Research Fellows (SRFs) supported by National Science Academies, KVPY, DST, DAE, etc., may attend the internship from 11 May to 10 July 2026.

Accommodation

Limited paid accommodation may be available on request for selected students on a first-come, first-served basis.

Accommodation Cost

₹120 per day if accommodation is provided.

Accommodation Duration

Accommodation will be available only until 10 July 2026; extension requests will not be accepted.

Late Joining Rule

If a student joins late, accommodation will not be reserved.

1

How much GPA / percentage is required to be eligible for the Summer Internship Programme (SIP)?

Applicants must have a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or a CGPA of 6.32 on a 10-point scale across their academic records.

2

I am pursuing my MSc in Physics from IIT or another university. How many students are selected from each institution?

There is no fixed quota for any particular institute. Selection depends on the overall merit of the applicants.

3

I am an Indian citizen studying at a foreign university (US/Europe). Am I eligible to apply?

No. The programme is open only to candidates pursuing their studies at recognized Indian institutions.

4

Is it necessary to have detailed knowledge of the specific research topic?

Specialized knowledge is not mandatory, but applicants should have a strong understanding of concepts typically taught up to the pre-final year level.

5

Will the project assigned during the internship need to be completed within the SIP duration?

Yes. Interns will work on a focused research project that should be completed during the SIP period. In exceptional cases, additional time may be approved individually, but accommodation will not be available beyond the official end date.

6

Are interns allowed to take leave if university examinations overlap with the internship schedule?

Interns are expected to attend the programme for the full duration (May 11 – July 10, 2026). However, if mandatory university examinations occur during this period, a short leave may be granted with approval from the supervisor and the Head of Academic Services.

7

What should I do if my university exam schedule conflicts with the internship dates?

Inform your PRL mentor or coordinator immediately once the official exam timetable is released, submit supporting documents from your university, and coordinate with your supervisor to ensure project progress despite the short absence.

8

Will taking leave for exams affect the internship completion certificate?

No, as long as the leave is officially approved and the intern successfully completes the assigned project work, the completion certificate will generally still be issued.