The state government is moving towards making internships mandatory for students studying in government degree colleges, with the aim of improving employability through skill development. Officials note that while students who enter engineering or medical streams after Intermediate gain technical skills, many who pursue a degree and postgraduation directly lack adequate practical exposure. In the current job market, employers are increasingly preferring candidates with relevant skills and hands-on experience.
Against this backdrop, the Education Department has decided to integrate internships into the degree curriculum. As per the proposal, students will be required to undergo an internship during one semester of their third year. The internship or apprenticeship system is set to be implemented mandatorily from the academic year 2026–27, with the government expressing confidence that this initiative will significantly enhance future employment opportunities for degree students.
Internships will involve students working for a fixed period in industries, offices, or commercial establishments, primarily as a form of training rather than regular employment. Recognising that unpaid internships may discourage participation—especially since a large proportion of government degree college students come from economically weaker sections—the government has proposed a monthly stipend for the internship period.
According to the plan, universities and the State Council of Higher Education will share the responsibility of funding the stipend. Universities will disburse stipends to students in affiliated government degree colleges, while the Higher Education Council will contribute a portion of the amount. The government is also exploring the possibility of industries paying part of the stipend, and discussions in this regard are currently underway.
While the concept of internships is not new and has long been advocated by the Union government and regulatory bodies such as AICTE and UGC, implementation has remained limited. Even in engineering education, internships are largely confined to a few premier institutions due to weak industry–academia linkages and financial constraints faced by universities. With vice-chancellors citing difficulties in meeting salary and development expenses, the successful rollout of mandatory internships from next year is expected to pose significant challenges, and the government’s execution strategy is now under close watch.