The Microsoft Software Engineering Explore Internship 2026 offers second-year students a premium chance to work on real-world projects at a global tech leader. Available across multiple locations in India with travel opportunities, this 12-week fully on-site program provides hands-on exposure to software engineering, product management, and technical program management. Ideal for 2027-2029 passout batches pursuing tech careers, it features an expected stipend of ₹1-1.5 lakhs monthly.
Targeted at early-career talent, the program builds foundational skills through collaboration with mentors and global teams. With India’s tech hiring booming, this internship stands out among top software engineering opportunities for freshers.
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What is the Explore Program?
Microsoft’s Explore Program targets second-year undergraduates eager to dive into software engineering. Participants tackle live projects using modern tools and languages, gaining insights into how large-scale products are built and delivered.
Unlike standard internships, it exposes interns to multiple roles – SWE, PM, and TPM – fostering versatility in big tech environments. The 2026 edition runs ~12 weeks, emphasizing problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation at offices across India.
This initiative aligns with Microsoft’s focus on nurturing India’s tech talent pool, where over 1.5 million engineering students graduate annually.
Key Responsibilities: Software Engineering Explore Internship
Explore Interns contribute directly to Microsoft projects, applying skills from day one. Core duties include:
- Building and testing features with languages like Python, Java, C++ on tools such as Azure DevOps and GitHub.
- Collaborating with managers, mentors, and peers to evaluate requirements, estimate efforts, and implement solutions.
- Participating in code reviews, debugging, and Agile sprints for scalable software development.
- Exploring cross-functional roles through team discussions and feedback loops.
- Learning performance optimization and system design for high-impact products.
Interns often handle end-to-end tasks, from ideation to deployment, building a strong portfolio for future big tech roles.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Qualifies for Explore 2026?
prioritizes promising second-year students with basic tech foundations. Requirements include:
- Pursuing a 4-year Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Engineering, or related fields (2027-2029 passouts).
- Completion of Introduction to Computer Science or equivalent coursework.
- Strong interest in software engineering; no advanced experience needed.
- Availability for full-time, on-site work across multiple India locations (travel supported).
Tier-1 and tier-2 college students from IITs, NITs, BITS, or state universities qualify equally. Diversity candidates encouraged.
Selection Process: Timeline and Preparation Tips
The fast-paced process ensures quick onboarding. Key dates for 2026:
- Registration deadline: 23 December 2025.
- Online Assessment (CS fundamentals + problem-solving): 26-27 December 2025.
- Technical Interview Round 1 (CS basics + logic): 2 January 2026.
- Technical Round 2 (coding + collaboration): 3 January 2026.
- HR/Fit Round: 4 January 2026.
- Offers: 6-8 January 2026.
Prep focuses on LeetCode-style problems, OOP concepts, and behavioral questions. Practice Git workflows and explain projects clearly.
Apply via careers.microsoft.com or linked postings – search “Microsoft Explore Internship 2026 India”.
Skills Gained: Launchpad for Big Tech Careers
This internship equips participants with in-demand competencies:
- Proficiency in modern dev tools (Git, Azure, debugging frameworks).
- Core engineering practices: clean code, testing, scalability.
- Soft skills: teamwork, requirement analysis, mentorship navigation.
- Exposure to PM/TPM roles, boosting versatility for FAANG paths.
Alumni often secure Microsoft full-time offers or roles at Google, Amazon with 2-3x salary jumps post-graduation.
Why Microsoft Explore Over Other Software Internships?
In India’s competitive tech scene, Microsoft Explore excels:
| Feature | Microsoft Explore 2026 | Typical Startup Internship |
|---|---|---|
| Stipend | ₹1-1.5L/month | ₹20-50k/month |
| Duration | 12 weeks, structured | 3-6 months, variable |
| Exposure | SWE/PM/TPM roles | Single-track coding |
| Locations | Multiple India + travel | Single city |
| Mentorship | Global teams + 1:1 | Limited |
| Conversion to FT | High (pathway to full-time) | Low |
With big tech projected to hire 1 lakh+ engineers in 2026, this program’s prestige opens doors.
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Locations and Logistics: Multiple Opportunities
Roles span Microsoft India hubs like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Noida, and Pune, with travel for cross-team projects. Fully on-site setup ensures immersive collaboration; relocation support available for shortlisted candidates.
How to Apply?
If you are an Interested Candidate, you can apply for the Software Engineering Explore Internship at Microsoft, [Multiple Locations + Travel] Apply! Click Here.