The Programme
Step In · Practice · Transform
DCIP isn’t about observing governance—it’s about practicing it. From your first day at the Collectorate to your final presentation, you’ll work with officials, engage with communities, and create real-world impact. This is Compassion in Action—where Gandhi’s Talisman inspires your choices, collaboration fuels change, and four months redefine how you see governance, service, and yourself.
What makes DCIP Unique
Immersive
Governance
You don’t just observe administration you become part of it. Interns work alongside officials, coordinate projects, and contribute to real-time governance.
Compassion
as Core
Every decision is guided by Gandhi’s Talisman — asking “Will this serve the poorest and weakest?” Compassion isn’t a value add-on here; it’s the foundation.
Real Projects,
Real Impacts
From district campaigns to citizen services, DCIP interns work on projects that directly affect lives — learning through action, not simulation.
Mentorship
that Matters
Guidance comes not just from officers but from experts, educators, and changemakers who model leadership through empathy and accountability.
A Decade
of Legacy
With 10 years and 30+ batches, DCIP has become a living laboratory of public innovation — shaping how young minds engage with governance in Kerala and beyond.
Alumni
Beyond
Interns
Over 300 alumni continue to serve across government, policy, social enterprise, and academia proving that DCIP is not just a programme but a mindset.
4-Month Transformation Journey
From induction to impact, every phase builds your capacity to practice compassionate governance.
What your week look like
Every week balances office coordination with field implementation, structured learning with independent work.
3–4 Days:
At Office
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Morning meetings, data crunching, report writing, coordination calls.
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You learn to navigate systems, communicate with officials, and turn information into action.
1–2 Days:
Field Work
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Visits to communities, schools, and panchayats.
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Real stories, real people testing ideas on the ground and learning from lived experience.
Regular:Learning
& Mentorship
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Expert masterclasses, mentor sessions, workshops, and peer feedback circles.
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Each interaction deepens your understanding of governance and self.
Ongoing:
Your Project
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Independent research, follow-ups, and documentation.
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Your project grows with you and the learning rarely ends at 5 p.m.
When DCIP began in 2015 under the leadership of N. Prasanth, it was guided by a simple but powerful belief—that young people, when trusted and supported, can meaningfully contribute to governance, and that compassion must remain at the heart of public administration. What started as an experiment gradually became a shared journey of responsibility, learning, and purpose. Over the years, each District Collector added depth and direction to this journey. U. V. Jose and S. Sambasiva Rao strengthened DCIP’s citizen-focused foundation. Tej Lohith Reddy and A. Geetha expanded its horizons through innovation, inclusion, and thoughtful systems. Today, under the leadership of Snehil Kumar Singh, DCIP is entering a renewed phase—marked by stronger partnerships, wider outreach, and a clear focus on action at the grassroots.
Dr. Nijeesh Anand
Program Manager
"Over the last decade, the District Collectors Internship Program has opened powerful windows for young people into the real worlds of governance, social change, and compassionate leadership. DCIP has inspired curiosity, empathy, and a deep sense of public responsibility, planting seeds that will shape thoughtful leaders and engaged citizens for years to come."
Dr. Suresh Kumar
Former Director of IPM & DCIP Mentor