Both affiliated universities and colleges have been directed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to offer at least one semester of internship as part of their undergraduate programmes. The Commission has asked colleges to offer internship-embedded degree programmes for all disciplines, unlike the current trend, where internships are often part of technical courses.

While any UG programme is entitled to include internships in their curriculum in any field, the institutes must offer these internships in consultation with AICTE, FICCI, CII, respectively. For the UG course, the internships need to be at least 20 percent of total credits and need to be off-campus jobs, as per the guidelines.

The duration of the internship should be at least one semester which can be offered in a continuation or at intervals without altering the total duration or programme. Students will be given credits for the internship they opt for. These credits will be included in the total programme credit or in the result. Students will be eligible to take the master’s course based on the core subjects or internship. This, says UGC, will ensure ‘vertical mobility’ of students.

The concept of offering an internship or apprentice-embedded courses was first announced as part of the Budget 2020-21 announcement. The Minister of Education has now released detailed guidelines for higher education institutes to ensure standardized offering of these courses. The UGC too has written to higher education institutes asking to implement the same.

“The competencies demanded by the industry need to be embedded in our university curriculum so that the employment-employability gap is overcome. The minimal linkage between the general degree curriculum and employer’s requirement calls for an effective remodeling of degree programmes, driven by changing needs of the industry and service sector. Apprenticeship and internship can play a significant role in this context. You are requested to kindly promote apprenticeship/internship embedded degree programmes in your University as well as the colleges/institutions affiliated to your university,” the letter by the UGC read.