The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all affiliated universities and colleges to offer at least one semester of internship as part of their undergraduate programmes.
UGC has stated that internship-embedded degree programmes for all disciplines should be started, unlike the present trend, where internships are mostly part of the technical courses.
While any UG programme in any discipline is eligible to embed internship in their curriculum, the institutes have to offer these internships in consultation with sector skill councils — AICTE, FICCI, CII etc.
Further, the internships need to be at least 20 per cent of total credits for the UG course and need to be off-campus work, as per the guidelines stated by UGC.
Duration of the Internship
UGC has informed that 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 offered credits for the internship they opt for which will be included in the total programme credit or in the result.
Further, students will be eligible to take the master’s course based on the core subjects or internship which will ensure ‘vertical mobility’ of students.
About the New Concept in UG Curriculum
As per sources, the concept of offering an internship or apprentice-embedded courses was first announced as part of the Budget 2020-21 announcement.
MoE has presently released detailed guidelines for higher education institutes to make sure the concept is followed duly.
Comments