NEW DELHI: In a first, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started an internship programme for students and young professionals so that they can “gain indepth exposure to the inner workings of India’s civil aviation regulator.” Students in final to pre-final years B Tech/BE in aerospace, civil, computer science or electronics engineering / MCA/M.Sc. in fields related to data science to software development / BA or MA in economics or public policy / BA/MBA with a specialisation in aviation or transport / B Com or M Com or CA or ICWA for finance-related roles / LLB or LLM for legal and policy internships and research scholars can apply for the internship. Applicant should have secured at least 70% in their graduation or 60% in post-graduation. Age of the candidate should not exceed 2 4 years for under graduate students and 27 years for post-graduate students as on 31st December of the preceding year of the internship. They will be paid a stipend of Rs 5,000 per month for a maximum of three months. They will delve into the complexities of policy formulation, explore regulatory frameworks, and understand the technical operations that ensure safe and efficient air travel, said a senior official.“This initiative not only enriches the educational experience of participants but also empowers the authority to tap into innovative ideas and analytical insights from the next generation of aviation experts. Through hands-on experience and guided interaction with seasoned professionals. Interns will contribute fresh perspectives that can enhance the regulatory landscape,” the regulator said.The internship programme covers areas vital to the aviation industry’s evolution and efficiency. These include airfare monitoring & tariff analysis; regulatory impact assessment; airport infrastructure & aerodrome standards; air safety, licensing & surveillance systems; environmental regulation & sustainability; air navigation services & emerging technologies and legal and policy research in aviation.