In a truly unusual twist, a UPSC aspirant from Pune has caught national attentionânot for her exam results, but for her sleeping habits. Pooja Madhav Wavhal, a determined civil service candidate, earned a whopping âš9.1 lakh as part of an unconventional internship program that paid participants to sleep.
đ What Was the Internship All About?
The program was part of the Wakefit Sleep Internship – Season 4, run by Wakefit Innovations, a Bengaluru-based startup known for promoting better sleep through its mattresses and sleep products.
The core idea? Promote healthy sleep habits by rewarding individuals who could consistently maintain 9 hours of quality sleep each nightâfor 60 days straight.
đ Key Highlights of the Program:
đ Category đ Details
Organizer Wakefit Innovations
Internship Name Sleep Internship Season 4
Location Remote (participants slept at home)
Duration 60 days
Sleep Requirement Minimum 9 hours per night
Participants Selected Top 15 out of 1,00,000+ applicants nationwide
Base Stipend âš1 lakh for all finalists
Grand Prize âš9.1 lakh awarded to one âSleep Championâ
Winner Pooja Madhav Wavhal (Pune)
đ Who is Pooja Madhav Wavhal?
Pooja is a dedicated UPSC aspirant with a routine already focused on discipline and structure. Her consistent performance during the internshipâlogging restful sleep every nightâhelped her outshine over a lakh applicants and eventually be crowned “Sleep Champion of the Year.”
She achieved an impressive 91.36 score, the highest among all finalists, securing her the top reward of âš9.1 lakh.
đď¸ How Did the Internship Work?
Participants had to:
Use Wakefit mattresses provided by the company.
Install contactless sleep trackers to record and monitor nightly rest.
Join weekly virtual workshops on sleep science, wellness, and stress management.
Participate in fun sleep-based challenges like:
Blindfolded bed-making
Sleep quizzes
Online âsleep-offâ contests
All tasks and performance were tracked to ensure fairness and consistency.
đ Why Is This Significant?
India is currently grappling with rising sleep-related health issues:
Around 58% of Indians go to bed after 11 PM.
Nearly 50% wake up feeling tired, according to surveys conducted by Wakefit.
The Sleep Internship aims to create awareness about the importance of rest and sleep hygiene, showing that rest isn’t just vital for healthâit can also pay off financially.
đŹ What Pooja Says:
Pooja shared that the program helped her build a disciplined routine even while preparing for the demanding UPSC syllabus. She emphasized how proper sleep improved her focus, retention, and mental clarity.
â Can You Join This Internship?
Yes! Wakefit is expected to launch Season 5 of its Sleep Internship soon. Keep an eye on their official website to apply.
đĄ What Customers Might Be Wondering:
- Is it legit?
Yesâthis program has been running for four seasons and has received national media attention. Wakefit is a registered, credible brand.
- Is there an age or profession limit?
No specific profession is required. Applicants from all backgroundsâincluding students, professionals, and homemakersâare welcome, provided theyâre at least 18.
- How is sleep tracked?
Each participant receives a contactless sleep tracker that records movement, sleep cycles, and duration. Data is analyzed to assess quality and consistency.
- How do you get selected?
Applicants submit a form, go through interviews, and must show their commitment to healthy sleeping habits. Finalists are chosen based on interviews and lifestyle alignment.
- What do you win?
All 15 finalists receive âš1 lakh. One final winner is awarded the grand prizeââš9.1 lakh, like Pooja.
đ Final Thoughts
Pooja Wavhalâs story proves that rest is no longer a luxuryâitâs a lifestyle. While most people think success requires sleepless nights, Pooja literally earned lakhs by doing the opposite. Whether you’re a UPSC aspirant, a student, or a working professional, her journey is a reminder that investing in sleep can change your lifeâin more ways than one.
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â1. How did Wakefit select participants for the Sleep Internship?
Wakefit selected participants from over 1,00,000 applicants through a multi-stage process, which included:
Filling out a detailed application form
Personality and lifestyle screening
Interviews to assess sleep habits and daily routine Only the top 15 candidates were chosen as finalists based on their ability to commit to consistent sleep patterns and wellness.
â2. What made Pooja Madhav Wavhal the winner among all participants
Pooja earned the highest sleep score of 91.36, which measured factors like sleep duration, consistency, and quality. Her disciplined lifestyle as a UPSC aspirant helped her maintain 9 hours of sleep every night for 60 consecutive days, outperforming the other 14 finalists.
â3. Can anyone join the Wakefit Sleep Internship in the future?
Yes, Wakefit opens its Sleep Internship program to all Indian residents aged 18 and above, regardless of profession or background. As long as you are willing to commit to 9 hours of sleep per night and follow the programâs rules, you can apply when the next season is announced.