How to verify an internship offer — the 5-minute checklist

Step 1 — verify the provider. Search the company name on RozGar24 — if they're listed with a 'verified' badge and a gold verification level, you're safe. If they're not listed, check their GSTIN on the government portal. A legitimate provider has a registered business; a scam has none.

Step 2 — read the offer letter carefully. A legitimate offer letter includes: provider name + GSTIN, your name, the role title, start and end dates, working hours, stipend amount, certificate type, and a point of contact with phone + email. If any of these are missing, ask for them in writing before accepting.

Step 3 — check the slot type. NEP-2020 recognises 6 slot types: Short Exposure, Summer, Major, Industry Project, Apprenticeship, Research. If the offer doesn't specify which slot it counts toward, your college may not give you credit. Ask the provider to specify in writing.

Step 4 — ask about the certificate. The certificate is what makes the internship valuable. A legitimate certificate is QR-verified, includes your role, project title, weekly diary entries, and the provider's GSTIN. RozGar24 issues all four certificate types (project-completion, participation, research, apprenticeship) with QR codes that resolve to a public verification page.

Step 5 — verify the stipend. If a stipend is promised, ask for the payment schedule (weekly, monthly, end-of-internship) and the payment method (bank transfer, UPI). Scam operators promise large stipends but never pay. A legitimate provider will pay on time, every time, and you'll see it in your bank statement.

Bonus step 6 — check reviews. Search the provider name on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Google Reviews. If multiple former interns report non-payment or fake certificates, walk away. If reviews are sparse but positive, proceed with caution and document everything.

If anything feels off, ask the provider to verify themselves through RozGar24's verification portal. Verified providers can issue a QR code that resolves to their full KYC details — you scan, you see the truth. Unverified providers can't do this.

What to do if the offer turns out to be fake: don't pay any fees, don't share your Aadhaar or PAN, and report the listing to RozGar24 within 24 hours. We investigate all reports within 4 hours and ban repeat offenders permanently.

Bottom line: a legitimate internship offer is verifiable in 5 minutes. If the provider can't verify in 5 minutes, they're not legitimate. Trust your gut and verify everything.