"What stipend should I expect?" is one of the most common questions students ask before applying. The honest answer is that it depends on the city, the role, the company and your skills, and the spread is wide. This guide gives indicative ranges so you have a starting point, explains what pushes a stipend up or down, and helps you judge an offer in the context of what it will cost you to live and work in that city.
Please read the ranges as orientation, not as survey data. They are broad bands reflecting the kind of stipends commonly seen in listings for students and freshers. Individual offers can fall well above or below them. Always check live listings for your role and city before deciding.
Indicative monthly stipend ranges by city
| City | Non-tech roles (indicative) | Tech roles (indicative) | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | ₹6,000–₹15,000 | ₹10,000–₹30,000+ | internships in Bengaluru |
| Mumbai | ₹6,000–₹15,000 | ₹10,000–₹25,000+ | internships in Mumbai |
| Delhi NCR | ₹5,000–₹15,000 | ₹10,000–₹25,000+ | internships in Delhi |
| Hyderabad | ₹5,000–₹12,000 | ₹10,000–₹25,000+ | internships in Hyderabad |
| Pune | ₹5,000–₹12,000 | ₹8,000–₹20,000+ | internships in Pune |
| Chennai | ₹5,000–₹12,000 | ₹8,000–₹20,000+ | internships in Chennai |
| Jaipur | ₹3,000–₹8,000 | ₹5,000–₹15,000 | internships in Jaipur |
| Indore | ₹3,000–₹8,000 | ₹5,000–₹15,000 | internships in Indore |
| Ahmedabad | ₹3,000–₹10,000 | ₹5,000–₹15,000 | internships in Ahmedabad |
| Kochi | ₹3,000–₹8,000 | ₹5,000–₹15,000 | internships in Kochi |
| Lucknow | ₹3,000–₹8,000 | ₹5,000–₹12,000 | internships in Lucknow |
| Remote | ₹2,000–₹10,000 | ₹5,000–₹20,000+ | remote internships |
All figures are indicative monthly amounts in rupees, before any deductions, and are meant only as a rough guide. The "+" means well-funded product companies and specialised roles can pay noticeably more.
What moves a stipend up or down
Role
Software development, data and some finance roles usually sit at the top of the range, because the work maps directly to what full-time hires do. Sales roles often combine a fixed stipend with incentives. Content, design, HR and operations interns commonly see mid-range stipends, and social-sector or research roles tend to pay less. Our employer-side note on intern stipend benchmarks by role explains how companies think about this.
Company type
- Large product companies and multinationals usually pay the most and run structured programmes.
- Funded startups can pay well for tech roles and less for non-tech, but often give more responsibility.
- Small businesses, agencies and early startups often pay less but can offer broad exposure.
- NGOs and academic projects may pay a small stipend or none, with learning or credit as the trade-off.
Duration, hours and mode
Full-time, in-office internships generally pay more than part-time or remote ones. Very short internships of a few weeks tend to be lower. Remote stipends vary the most, because employers in any city can hire remotely.
Your skills and proof
Two candidates in the same city can get very different offers. A portfolio, a deployed project, a previous internship or a relevant certification that you can explain gives you room to ask for more. See our guide on stipend negotiation for internships for how to do that politely.
How to read the stipend line in a listing
Two offers that show the same number can be worth very different amounts. Before comparing, check what the stipend actually includes:
- Fixed or performance-linked? Sales and business development internships often show a range where the upper end depends on targets. Ask what most interns actually earn, not only the maximum.
- Payment schedule. Monthly payment into your bank account is standard. Be wary of stipends paid only at the end of the internship or only "on completion".
- Allowances and perks. Meals, a travel allowance, a laptop or accommodation support can matter as much as a few thousand rupees on paper.
- Pre-placement offer (PPO) potential. A modest stipend at a company that regularly converts interns into full-time hires can be worth more than a higher stipend with no path forward. The PPO internship categories page is a good place to look.
- Duration and hours. Divide by the hours expected; a part-time role with a lower stipend can pay better per hour.
If any of these points are unclear in the listing, it is fine to ask the recruiter politely before accepting.
Weigh the stipend against the cost of living
A higher stipend in a metro does not always mean more money in your pocket. Before you accept an in-office offer in another city, estimate your monthly costs:
| Cost head | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Rent or PG | Shared or single room? Is food included? How far from the office? |
| Commute | Metro, bus, or cab every day? How long is the journey? |
| Food | Office meals, mess, or eating out? |
| Deposits and setup | PG deposit, bedding, a local SIM, a work laptop if not provided |
| Travel home | How often will you go home, and what does the ticket cost? |
If you are living at home, a lower stipend in your own city can leave you better off than a higher stipend in a metro. That is why tier-2 and remote internships are often a smart choice early in college. Use the internship stipend calculator to compare offers.
Finding paid internships in the big cities
If a paid role is a priority, filter for it directly. Useful starting points include paid internships in Bengaluru for freshers, paid internships in Pune for college students, paid internships in Mumbai, paid internships in Delhi NCR and paid internships in Hyderabad. For nearby areas, also check Gurgaon and Noida.
When an unpaid internship might be acceptable
Unpaid internships are not automatically bad, but they should meet a higher bar. One can be reasonable when:
- It is short (a few weeks) and part-time, so you can keep studying or working.
- It is with an NGO, a research lab or a professor, where the learning or a publication is the real benefit.
- It is required for academic credit and your college has vetted the organisation.
- There is a named mentor, a defined project and a clear end date.
It is not acceptable if you are doing full-time work that the business sells or depends on, if the "internship" is really unpaid sales, or if you are asked to pay anything. Asking you to pay is a scam signal; read our list of fake internship red flags.
Next steps
Shortlist five to ten listings in your city and role, note their stipends, and compare them with the bands above and your likely costs. Then apply to a mix of higher-paying and high-learning roles. When the first offer comes, read our internship cover letter guide for the next application, and if you are thinking further ahead, our note on the highest-paying fresher jobs in India shows where each track can lead.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal internship stipend in India?
There is no single normal figure. As an indicative guide, many non-tech internships in metros fall in the ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 per month band and tech internships higher, while tier-2 cities and remote roles often pay less. Always check live listings for your role and city.
Which city pays the highest internship stipend?
Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR and Hyderabad commonly show the highest stipends, especially for tech and finance roles. The cost of living in these cities is also higher, so compare what you will actually save.
Do remote internships pay less?
Remote stipends vary more than in-office ones. Some remote roles pay as much as metro offices, while many pay less. The saving on rent and travel can make a lower remote stipend worthwhile.
Should I accept an unpaid internship?
Only if it is short, has a clear mentor and project, and gives you learning or credit you cannot get elsewhere. Never accept an internship that asks you to pay a fee.
Related career guides
- Internships for first-year students
- Part-time jobs for college students
- "Why should we hire you?" for freshers
- Group discussion tips for freshers
Ready to apply? Browse all internships and fresher jobs, or read more career guides.