The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all universities and higher educational institutions (HEIs) to implement the guidelines for internship and research internships for undergraduate (UG) students. The regulatory body also informed that it will review the implementation as recommended in the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).
“The UGC Guidelines for Internship/Research Internship for Undergraduate Students aims to improve employability skills and can help in generating competency, capability, professional working skills, expertise, and confidence among the students for employability and developing interest, passion for research,” the commission said.
As per the guidelines, an internship of 60 to 120 hours duration after the 4th semester will be mandatory for the students enrolled in UG degree programs. “For an internship, one credit of Internship means two-hour engagements per week. Accordingly, in a semester of 15 weeks’ duration, one credit in this course is equivalent to 30 hours of engagement in a semester,” the rule read.
For students pursuing a 4-year UG degree program (Honours with Research), engagement in the dissertations, and research projects during the entire 8th semester of 12 credits will be considered as a mandatory aspect to award a degree upon completion of the course.
The commission said that the research project, thesis work, or dissertation should involve a 360-hour duration during the 8th semester. The suggested internship activities include hands-on training, a short research project, seminar attendance, reading assigned journals to prepare for seminars, studying certain entrepreneurs, and social projects, study of enterprises or farmers.
The UGC had earlier made research part of the four-year UG program in the last 12 months. Later in October 2023, the guidelines were revised, and the final regulations research and internship part of last semester.
“The NEP envisages several transformative initiatives in higher education. These initiatives include providing opportunities to students for internships with local industries, businesses, artists, crafts persons, etc., as well as research internships with faculty and researchers at their own or other HEIs/research institutions so that students may actively engage with the practical side of their learning and, as a by-product, further improve their employability,” UGC noted in its letter announcing the new internship guidelines.
As part of the National Education Policy’s broader vision, the UGC will actively review the implementation of these internship guidelines by universities and colleges. This review process underscores the UGC’s commitment to ensuring HEIs effectively incorporate internships into their academic frameworks.
