UPSC hopeful sleeps her way to Rs 9 lakh cash prize; now you can too! Here's how

Imagine getting paid in lakhs for… sleeping! Sounds unimaginable? Believe it or not, a girl from Pune had accomplished the unthinkable—she became a lakhpati overnight for catching a good night’s sleep for two months.

In a unique and increasingly popular internship programme centred around sleep, Pooja Madhav Wavhal, a civil service aspirant from Pune, has emerged as the top performer, earning the title of India’s ‘ Sleep Champion of the Year’. Selected from an enormous pool of over one lakh applicants, she was one of only 15 individuals chosen to participate in a two-month-long, sleep-based internship in Bengaluru. Her unwavering dedication to maintaining nine hours of sleep every night over the 60-day period helped her secure the highest score of 91.36 points, and she walked away with a substantial cash prize of Rs 9.1 lakh.

This sleep internship is now in its fourth year and was initiated to raise awareness about the growing problem of insufficient sleep in India. As part of the experience, participants not only maintained strict sleep schedules but also engaged in various interactive activities designed to improve sleep hygiene and overall restfulness. These included educational workshops and light-hearted competitions such as making a bed while blindfolded, locating alarm clocks placed in unusual spots, and a ‘sleep-off’ finale to determine consistency and discipline among the finalists.

All 15 interns, who successfully completed the programme, were rewarded Rs 1 lakh each. However, Wavhal’s consistent performance and dedication to rest elevated her to the top position, earning her the grand prize and the title of India’s most disciplined sleeper.

Internship Details and Eligibility

To apply for the internship, applicants must be at least 22 years old at the time of submission. Each candidate is allowed to submit only one application, and multiple entries will lead to disqualification. Incomplete forms or late submissions are not entertained, and any inaccuracies in the information provided result in immediate disqualification.

The selection process involves various stages, including application forms, video resumes, and short interviews. All communication with applicants is carried out through phone calls, WhatsApp, emails, or SMS. By applying, each candidate agrees to the platform’s privacy and service policies.

A Trend That Began in 2019

The sleep internship first began in 2019 as an offbeat idea but has steadily grown into a popular initiative that blends wellness with innovation. Every season, participants—known as ‘sleep interns’—are expected to get at least nine hours of rest each night for 60 continuous days. Their sleep quality is tracked remotely through contactless monitoring devices and Wakefit-provided mattresses. Participants also submit feedback throughout the programme, which is entirely home-based and remote.

The internship, now seen as a part of India's growing wellness culture, especially appeals to young professionals seeking better work-life balance and mental health. With Season 5 now open for applications, the programme continues to attract widespread interest.

Wavhal’s win not only earned her praise but also helped spark conversations about the importance of proper sleep, encouraging more people to view it as a vital component of health and recovery.