Internship or Exploitation? Reassessing the Ethics of Unpaid Work Experience
Author : Yazhini K and Dr. S Maruthavijayan
Abstract :
Unpaid internships have become a common aspect of the professional and educational environment in India, offering students opportunities to gain practical exposure and industry experience. However, the lack of a specific legal framework governing internships has created uncertainty regarding the rights, duties, and protection of interns. This research examines whether unpaid internships in India amount to legal exploitation or remain valid forms of experiential learning. The study is based on a questionnaire survey conducted among students, recent graduates, and employers to understand their views on fairness, educational value, and awareness of legal rights. The findings show that while most internships are educational in nature and do not involve direct labour, the absence of proper legal recognition and regulation often leads to inconsistent practices. The research concludes that there is a strong need for a clear legal framework to define the status of interns and ensure fair and transparent internship practices in India.
Keywords :
Unpaid internships, legal exploitation, labour law, employment regulation, experiential learning, India.
