Imagine running a city at 23 while still a student. Kozhikode’s District Collector’s Internship Programme (DCIP) makes this dream possible. Launched over a decade ago, it gives students hands-on exposure to governance, letting them work with public departments to solve real community problems.

Harsha Haridas, an applied maths post-graduate, joined the January 2025 batch to work on tribal welfare. Even after her internship ended, she continues visiting hamlets to ensure families have essential documents like Aadhar and ration cards.

Interns also support impactful projects like Operation Sulaimani, which provides 150–200 meals daily to labourers, migrants, and homeless people-benefiting over 1.25 lakh citizens. Other projects include helping persons with disabilities access education, jobs, and facilities, and creating the Jeevika Handbook to guide widows on government schemes.

IAS officer Snehil Kumar Singh highlights that empathy, motivation, and fresh ideas matter more than academic brilliance. With over 2 million lives touched, 50% women representation, and diverse student participation, DCIP proves that young energy combined with governance can truly transform communities.