UPSC aspirant Pooja Wavhal named India’s ‘Sleep Champion’ after winning Rs 9.1 lakh in unique internship

In a unique and increasingly popular sleep internship, Pooja Madhav Wavhal from Pune has emerged as India’s ‘Sleep Champion of the Year’. The IPS aspirant outperformed 14 other finalists in the 60-day challenge conducted by Bengaluru-based sleep solutions company Wakefit, taking home a cash prize of Rs 9.1 lakh. Her consistent nine-hour sleep routine across two months earned her the top score of 91.36.

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This unconventional internship, now in its fourth season, is part of Wakefit’s mission to raise awareness about India’s growing sleep deficit. Over one lakh people applied, out of which only 15 were selected as “sleep interns”. Participants were required to sleep a minimum of nine hours each night for 60 days while using contactless trackers and Wakefit mattresses to measure sleep quality.

Alongside their sleep schedule, interns attended engaging workshops, sleep improvement sessions, and quirky challenges like blindfolded bed-making and alarm clock treasure hunts. The final “sleep-off” tested discipline and consistency to determine the winner.

Each intern received Rs 1 lakh upon completion, but Wavhal’s outstanding performance earned her the top honour. Reflecting on her win, she emphasized the importance of rest, urging more people to view sleep as vital for well-being rather than a luxury.

The internship, first launched in 2019, has since become a viral sensation among Indian youth seeking unconventional job experiences and better life balance. Applications for Season 5 are currently open, continuing the program’s mission to promote healthy sleep habits.

According to the 2025 Great Indian Sleep Scorecard, 58% of Indians sleep late and many wake up fatigued, highlighting why such campaigns are more relevant than ever.