IIT Madras Summer Internship 2026 – Eligibility, Stipend, Last Date, Application Form & Portal

So, you’re thinking about applying for the IIT Madras Summer Internship 2026?

If you’ve been daydreaming about spending your summer doing actual research (not just scrolling endlessly on your phone), then this guide is for you. Whether you’re trying to polish your resume, get exposure to high-level academics, or just figure out if research is your thing, IIT Madras might just be the place to begin.

And let me be honest with you—there’s a reason why this internship is all over search engines right now. People want answers. They want to know when the deadlines are, how they’ll get selected, and what exactly happens once they’re in.

So instead of giving you another robotic “internship details” post, I’m going to walk you through the real questions people like you are asking—and answer them just like a friend would.

Let’s get started.

Read This to Know the 5 Most Searched FAQs About IIT Madras Summer internship 2026

First, What Is the Summer internship 2026 Really About?

Imagine spending two whole months at IIT Madras, one of the top engineering schools in India. You’re not just attending seminars—you’re working on an actual research project, directly with faculty. You get to live on campus, meet insanely smart people, and for once, actually do the kind of work you read about in journals or hear in TED Talks.

That’s what the IIT Madras Summer Internship 2026 offers through its IIT Summer Fellowship Programme (SFP).

Here’s the TL;DR version:

• 🗓️ Duration: 2 months (usually May–July)

• 💰 Stipend: ₹6,000 per month

• 🎓 Who’s it for: Students currently in the 3rd year of BE/B. Tech or 3rd/4th year of 5-year integrated programs

• 📍 Where: IIT Madras Campus, Chennai

And yep, it’s competitive. But it’s also 100% worth it.

The official portal here, by the way, 👉 https://sfp.iitm.ac.in

1. So, How Do I Actually Apply for the IIT Madras Summer Internship 2026?

You’d think there’s a complicated process or some insider trick, but nope—it’s refreshingly straightforward.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Go to the official website: sfp.iitm.ac.in

2. Register yourself with a valid email.

3. Fill in your details — personal info, academic background, etc.

4. Write your Statement of Purpose (SOP) — more on this in a second.

5. Upload necessary documents like transcripts, resume, and bonafide certificate.

6. Choose your preferred department or research area.

7. Hit Submit and then relax (or stress-eat while refreshing your inbox every day).

From someone who’s done it: “I spent more time tweaking my SOP than anything else. I wrote, deleted, rewrote… until it sounded like me. Not what ChatGPT would write. That helped.”

2. What’s the Last Date to Apply for IIT Madras Summer Internship 2026?

This question is getting typed into Google every single day right now.

As of today, the official schedule isn’t live. But here’s what’s likely, based on previous years:

• Applications Open: January 2026 (first or second week)

• IIT Madras Summer Internship 2026 Last Date: ~February 28, 2026 (maybe sooner—stay alert)

My advice? Set a calendar reminder in mid-January and start prepping your documents before the portal opens.

Don’t wait for the last minute. The site gets heavy traffic during deadline week, and if your Wi-Fi betrays you at the wrong time… well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

3. Who Can Apply? What’s the Eligibility for the IIT Madras Summer Internship 2026?

I get this question from so many juniors. Here’s the deal:

You can apply if:

• You’re a 3rd-year student of a B.E., B.Tech, or B.Sc (Engg) program.

• Or in your 3rd/4th year of a 5-year Integrated M.Tech or M.Sc program.

• Your academics are solid (a CGPA of 7.5+ is usually safe).

• You can commit two full months to the internship, ideally on campus.

Also, you don’t need to be from an IIT. I repeat: non-IIT students do get in. What matters more is your academic record, clarity of interest, and how well you write that SOP.

4. What’s the Selection Process Like for the IIT Madras Summer Internship?

Ah, the million-rupee question.

There’s no test. No interview. No aptitude quiz.

It’s all about the strength of your application.

Here’s what they’re looking at:

• ✅ Your grades (especially in core subjects)

• ✅ A personal, well-written SOP — one that shows who you are

• ✅ How well your background matches the faculty’s research interests

• ✅ The availability of mentors in your chosen department

• ✅ Any past project work or paper/presentation (if you have one)

💬 “I didn’t have a published paper, but I had worked on a mini project in ML and explained it in detail in my SOP. That helped me get shortlisted.” — A student from NIT Trichy

5. When Will the IIT Madras Summer Internship 2026 Results Be Out?

This one’s tricky to answer precisely—but let’s look at past patterns.

If the deadline is in February (like it usually is), then:

• Results are typically out by March-end or early April

• You’ll get an email if selected

• The website also gets updated, but no rejection emails are sent. (Yeah, it’s brutal.)

So basically, if you haven’t heard by mid-April, it might be time to move on—but don’t give up entirely. Some late selections or waitlist offers do happen!

Other Real FAQs You’ll Be Glad You Asked

Is This IIT Madras Summer Internship 2026 Paid?

Yes! You’ll receive a ₹6,000 per month stipend, which is decent for a student intern.

Considering IIT Madras provides accommodation and you’ll be eating in their mess (not ordering Zomato every night), it’s pretty manageable.

What Departments Can I Choose From?

You’ll be spoiled for choice, honestly.

Popular options:

• Computer Science

• Mechanical

• Electrical

• Civil

• Chemical

• Physics

• Biotechnology

• Aerospace

• Humanities (yes, that too)

Pick what aligns with your interests—not what sounds fancy.

What Happens If I Get Selected for the IIT Madras Summer internship 2026?

If you’re selected:

• You’ll be assigned a guide

• You’ll get access to labs and resources

• You’ll probably end up making friends from all over India

• And you’ll have to submit a project report at the end

Oh—and you might even get the chance to publish your work or present at a conference. How cool is that?

Should I Email Professors in Advance?

Some students do, and if done politely, it can help.

If you have a genuine interest in a professor’s work:

• Read one of their recent papers

• Craft a short, respectful email

• Mention your background and why you’re interested

• Don’t expect a reply—but if you get one, it can be a game-changer

Still, Wondering if this IIT Madras Summer Internship 2026 is Worth It?

Here’s something I wish more people told me:

Doing a research internship doesn’t mean you have to be a future scientist. What it does mean is that you learn how to think, solve, present, and collaborate in high-pressure, intellectual environments.

That applies whether you’re aiming for:

• MS abroad

• M.Tech at IITs

• Startups and tech jobs

• Academia

• Civil services prep

In other words: Yes, it’s worth it.

Conclusion: Ready to Apply for Your Dream Internship at IIT Madras? Here’s What to Do Next

You’ve made it to the end—which already shows you’re serious.

Let’s recap:

• Applications likely open in January 2026

• Bookmark https://sfp.iitm.ac.in

• Start drafting that SOP

• Collect your transcripts, resume, and bonafide cert

• Pick departments that genuinely interest you

And remember: you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be genuine, prepared, and early.

🎯 Call to Action:
Set a reminder for Jan 5th. Prep your docs. Write that SOP from the heart. Hit apply.

May this summer take you where your curiosity leads.

Related Internships –

1 IIT Hyderabad Internship 2025

2 IISC Summer Internship

3 Pm Intership Scheme 2025

4 DRDO Internship 2025