UGC issued guidelines for research internships and announced mandatory undergraduate internships after the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasized the importance of internships. The UGC mandatory internship for undergraduates will play a crucial role in shaping students’ future careers. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has mandated that all undergraduate students in recognized Indian universities complete an 8-to-10-week research internship.
UGC stated, “Atma-Nirbhar Bharat relies on the fusion of research, innovation, and technology development.” By institutionalizing research internships at the undergraduate level, UGC aims to catalyze the inter-disciplinary, multi-disciplinary, transdisciplinary, and translational research culture envisioned in NEP 2020.
With the new criteria, UGC intends these internship programs to enhance students’ employability and help them develop essential research skills. UGC acted on NEP 2020’s direction by making internships mandatory.
Each student will work under a research supervisor—preferably from another higher education institution (HEI), though possibly from the same one—for a fixed period at the supervisor’s research facility, where they will complete a time-bound internship project.
Students pursuing the UGC mandatory internship for undergraduates will gain hands-on experience with research tools, procedures, methodologies, and equipment. They will also learn the key aspects of conducting high-quality research. UGC has enabled students to acquire this experience by collaborating with faculty and scientists in HEIs, research institutions, industry research labs, nationally recognized organizations, and distinguished individuals in various fields such as drafting, art, music, and choreography.
Credit System
Students must complete 8–10 week internships after their second or fourth semester to earn ten credits.
They must complete 450 internship hours, with at least 45 hours of weekly participation to earn the required credits.
UGC recommends that HEIs offer Research Ability Enhancement Courses (RAEC) worth 10 credits to research-focused students.
Institutions should teach RAEC in research tools and methodologies as prerequisite courses during the 7th semester.
Students must also conduct research through a dissertation or project in interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, or transdisciplinary areas for 30 credits.
Evaluation
The designated Research Internship Supervisor from the host institute will monitor and evaluate students’ internship progress. The UGC mandatory internship for undergraduates will include evaluation criteria to ensure students gain the necessary skills. The supervisor for the host organisation will conduct the evaluation as well as a seminar presentation/viva-voce at the HEI, for which a panel of HEI specialists, including the supervisor, will allocate marks. The proposal states that “the research internship supervisor will assess the interns based on their honesty and research output.” Students will also be evaluated by their parent HEI based on their activity logbook and internship supervisor’s assessment report; the format of their presentation and the quality of their intern’s report; skill sets gained and demonstrated; originality and inventive contribution.
Portal For Internships
Centrally Operated Portal
UGC will soon launch a centrally operated portal to support the UGC mandatory internship for undergraduates. This platform will allow Internship Provider Organizations (IPOs) to offer internships, define eligibility rules, and manage allocation, records, and feedba
Student Registration and Application
Students must register on the research internship portal, either independently or with guidance from their faculty mentor at the parent HEI. This portal plays a vital role in streamlining the UGC mandatory internship for undergraduates program.
Selection and Confirmation
Host organisations will select students based on their criteria. They will inform selected students via the portal or email and seek confirmation of acceptance.
Joining and Participation
Once selected, students must secure approval from their parent institution and join the assigned host organisation. During the UGC mandatory internship for undergraduates, students will work under the supervision of a research expert at the host organisation’s facility.
Monitoring and Reporting
Throughout the internship, the parent HEI, through faculty mentors, will monitor student activities and performance based on periodic reports submitted by the intern
Final Internship Report
At the end of the UGC mandatory internship for undergraduates, students must submit an internship report. They will give one copy to the host organisation and another to their parent HEI.
