UGC mandates internships for undergraduates; aligning with NEP 2020

In accordance with the newly proposed guidelines by the University Grants Commission (UGC), undergraduate students will be required to undertake internships, for which they will receive academic credits. 

These guidelines align with the 2020 National Education Policy (NEP), which underscores the importance of incorporating research and internships into undergraduate education to offer students hands-on experiential learning opportunities, according to an official statement.

As per the draft guidelines titled ‘Guidelines for internship and research internship for undergraduate students,’ students pursuing a three-year UG degree, a four-year UG degree (Honours), or a four-year UG degree (Honours with Research) will be able to earn a minimum of two to four credits out of the total 120/160 required credits by participating in internships.

 This allocation is in accordance with the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) and the Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programs (CCFUP), the statement mentioned.

The draft guidelines stipulate that a mandatory internship of 60 to 120 hours must be completed by UG students after the fourth semester.

Additionally, it is emphasised that three-year UG degrees, four-year UG degrees (Honours), and four-year UG degrees (Honours with Research) programmes should strictly adhere to the provisions outlined in NEP-2020, NHEQF, and CCFUP.

Furthermore, to meet the competency requirements specified at level-5.5 and level-six of the higher education qualification level descriptors, students should engage in the Research Ability Enhancement Courses (RAEC) and undertake research internship projects as outlined in the guidelines, it added.

For students pursuing a three-year undergraduate (UG) degree, it is mandatory to complete an internship lasting 60-120 hours after the fourth semester.

In contrast, students opting for a four-year degree programme must undertake a research internship during the eighth semester.

These internships can encompass a wide range of experiences. Normal internships can be carried out with government or private organisations, non-government organisations, enterprises, business entities, local industries, artists, craftsmen and similar entities, as per the statement.