Leh, Ladakh – The administration of Ladakh has launched ‘Zhabstok Ladakh,’ a pioneering official youth internship portal designed to integrate young individuals into the governance framework and equip them with practical experience in public administration. The initiative aims to institutionalize youth participation, leveraging the significant demographic of the region’s young population.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that under this program, 2,000 young people will be selected for a three-month internship across 25 departments within the Ladakh administration. Interns will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 5,000 throughout the duration of their program. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena emphasized the potential of youth in strengthening and enriching government departments, thereby contributing to the broader vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Empowering Youth in Public Administration
The ‘Zhabstok Ladakh’ portal, accessible at https://internship.ladakh.gov.in/, was launched as part of the ongoing Youth Month. It provides students and young residents of the Union Territory a direct pathway to engage in the development process. Through a unified application platform, interested individuals can apply for internships in various departments of the UT Administration. The initiative seeks to move beyond conventional government-citizen engagement, aiming to create a structured mechanism for young people to actively contribute to governance and community development.
The LG Yuva Internship Programme is slated for a formal rollout on September 17, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, which is observed as ‘Seva Diwas.’ This date marks the commencement of the internship for the selected cohort.
Programme Structure and Benefits
Registration for the three-month internship program opened on August 22 and will continue until September 5. This will be followed by a period of document verification from September 6 to 14. The internships are scheduled to begin on September 17, with an initial intake of 2,000 youth.
Selected interns will be provided with a monthly honorarium of Rs 5,000. The program also allows for the extension of the internship by an additional three months for candidates who demonstrate exceptional performance. Upon completion of the internship, participants will receive certificates, which are intended to bolster their academic and professional profiles and enhance their future employment prospects.
The program’s design allows interns to work directly with different departments of the UT Administration. This provides them with a comprehensive understanding of governmental operations, firsthand exposure to public administration practices, and insights into the translation of policies and ideas into tangible programs and projects on the ground. Departmental allocation will be based on the interns’ skills and interests, ensuring that their capabilities are utilized effectively in areas where they can make the most significant contributions.
Lieutenant Governor Saxena highlighted that Ladakh is a region with a substantial youth population, and their energy and ideas are considered the administration’s greatest asset. He expressed confidence that their involvement would significantly enrich the functioning of various departments and aid in achieving developmental goals.
The Chenab Times News Desk