Pune UPSC Aspirant Wins ₹9.1 Lakh for Sleeping in Wakefit’s Sleep Internship

Getting paid lakhs for simply sleeping? Sounds too good to be true, right? But that’s exactly what happened to Pune-based UPSC aspirant Pooja Madhav Wavhal, who won the title of India’s ‘Sleep Champion of the Year’ and a cash prize of ₹9.1 lakh after completing a unique 60-day ‘sleep internship,’ during which she consistently clocked 9 hours of sleep each night.

The internship is fully remote, work-from-home, and organized by Bengaluru-based startup Wakefit, a home and sleep solutions brand.

What Is the Sleep Internship

Now in its fourth season, the internship was launched by Wakefit to raise awareness about India’s growing problem of sleep deprivation.

Every year, thousands apply for the internship. This season alone, over one lakh applicants competed for just 15 slots. Each shortlisted intern is provided with a premium mattress and a contactless sleep tracker to monitor their sleep quality. Over the 60 days, interns are expected to maintain a consistent 9-hour sleep schedule and are evaluated on discipline and overall sleep quality.

Pooja stood out among the 15 with an impressive score of 91.36, making her this season’s champion. Along with the ₹9.1 lakh reward for the winner, each participant also received ₹1 lakh for their efforts.

Her win felt even more impressive as she managed to keep a consistent sleep routine while preparing for the UPSC—something most aspirants struggle with.

How to Apply

The internship, which first went viral in 2019, has completed four successful editions. To apply, the basic eligibility criteria are:

• Applicants must be 22 years or older

• Only one application per person is allowed

• Past participants are not eligible to reapply

• Wakefit employees and their family members are ineligible

Once the form is submitted, all communication happens via email and WhatsApp. Selected candidates—officially titled sleep interns—then begin their 60-day sleep journey from the comfort of their home.

What Are the Challenges

Apart from the core task of sleeping, interns also take part in fun daily challenges and workshops designed to promote better sleep hygiene. These include:

• Making beds while blindfolded

• Finding hidden alarm clocks

• Attending sleep wellness workshops

• Competing in a grand finale “sleep-off”

In earlier seasons, tasks like filling out online forms, submitting video resumes, brief interviews, and quirky tests like “how fast can you fall asleep” were also used in evaluations.

“I Can Sleep for 20 Hours a Day”

The idea of earning lakhs just for sleeping has struck a chord with young Indians.

One user joked, “I can sleep 20 hours a day.” Another commented, “She was probably dreaming of becoming an IAS officer!”

But beyond the memes, many were genuinely impressed by Wakefit’s creative campaign that promotes healthy sleep in a fun, relatable way.

Why It Matters

Sleep quality in India is steadily declining. Studies show that 58% of Indians sleep after 11 PM, and nearly half wake up still feeling tired. Campaigns like Wakefit’s internship offer a light-hearted yet meaningful reminder to prioritize consistent and healthy sleep, one nap at a time.

(Rh/Pooja Bansal/MSM/SE)