About Consumers India
Consumers India is an intellectually strong organization comprising senior officers of Government of India (generally retired), doctors, engineers, academics and others, who have joined hands to use their knowledge and experience for the well-being of consumers.
The organization was registered on 18.05.2007 under Societies Registration Act, 1860. It is also registered under Sections 12A read with section 12AA and 80 G (5) (vi) of Income Tax Act, 1961.
About SUM
The Society for Upliftment of Masses (SUM), An NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, has an active interface with United Nations. The statements submitted by the Society for ECOSOC High Level Segments during the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were accepted by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
They were circulated amongst all member States after being translated in all the UN languages. Several strategies have been suggested in these Statements for sustaining gains relating to ‘Health’ and ‘Nutrition’etc in Post-MDG era.
About the Internship Programme
‘Internship’ programme was launched by Consumers India for students pursuing higher education on 15th September, 2012 and 42 batches have since been held successfully. They have studied important consumer issues under the able guidance of experienced mentors. Several issues, highlighted by interns in their studies, have been taken up with the concerned authorities at the highest level. Details of studies undertaken by interns so far may be seen on this page.
The programme will familiarise participants with burning consumer concerns like consumer justice, misleading advertisements, junk food, unethical medical practices, Right to Information etc and help them make well-informed decisions by being aware consumers.
Participants will also gain practical knowledge and experience of conducting research and survey on a consumer issue and analysing that data in a presentable format under guidance of mentors.
This is the thirteenth batch of ‘Online Internship’. Online Internship was introduced in April, 2020, due to Covid-19 induced lock down.
Eligibility
This internship is open to students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, Ph D or any other higher education programme in any discipline from recognised institutions in India, having interest in consumer issues and having sufficient capabilities for online format of internship.
Learnings
At the end of the Internship, you will
- Become an enlightened consumer, familiar with your rights and responsibilities as a consumer
- Make well informed decisions in your day-today life
- Be able to avoid the trap of misleading advertisements
- Be able to report misleading ads to Advertising Standards Authority of India (ASCI) and GAMA and also help others do it
- Be familiar with the power of RTI Act
- Be able to file RTI applications for seeking information from Public Authorities and also help others do it
- Gain practical knowledge and experience of conducting research and survey on a consumer issue and analysing that data in a presentable format under guidance of mentors.
- Gain practical knowledge and experience of presenting your research and survey findings through PPT for disseminating your findings through social media.
Themes
Interns would be expected to choose one of the following subjects for specific study. Link to the write ups on our Blog relating to each of the broad themes has also been provided.
- Specific Study: How safe is our Municipal Water?
- Broad Theme: ‘Clean India’ Campaign
- Specific Study: Truth about Baby Foods
- Broad Theme: Junk the Junk Food & Misleading Ads
- Specific Study: How Safe are our Spices
- Broad Theme: Beware of Fake, Spurious and Counterfeit & Junk the Junk Food
- Specific Study: Air Travel and Consumers
- Broad Theme: Consumer Justice
How to Apply?
Those interested in joining this programme may note the above schedule and email their application and photograph in prescribed format, which is given below at the earliest, well within the prescribed deadline, to jayashree@consumersindia.co.in
Important dates
| Last date for receipt of complete application in prescribed format |
June 15, 2024 |
| Finalisation of selection process and communication to applicants |
June 16-21, 2024 |
| Date of online Induction |
June 22, 2024 |
| Period of Internship |
5 weeks from June 22, 2024 to July 28, 2024 |
| Date of final submission of research study and other assignments, duly approved by Mentors |
July 21, 2024 |
| Discussion on Infographics and individual activities; final submission of Completion & Evaluation Report and residual assignments |
July 22 onwards |
| Discussion on PPTs and Debriefing workshop (Interns will present their studies through PPTs) |
July 24 onwards |
| Registration Fee |
Nil; Totally free |
Click here for the mentor’s profile.
