Patna: Internship has been made mandatory for undergraduate students in universities across Bihar, with the state introducing a structured framework for practical training under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Governor-cum-Chancellor Syed Ata Hasnain has approved the Internship Guidelines for Undergraduate Programmes in Universities of Bihar, according to a notification issued by the Governor’s Secretariat on Saturday.
The decision follows recommendations made by the Syllabus Committee and will apply to students enrolled in four-year Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) undergraduate programmes offered by state universities.
120 Hours of Internship Mandatory
Under the new guidelines, every undergraduate student will be required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of internship over a period of four to six weeks.
The internship will carry four academic credits, which will be awarded in the fifth semester after successful completion of the programme.
Students will be required to undertake internships individually, as group internships will not be permitted.
Majority of Training to Be at Host Institution
The guidelines specify that at least 90 of the 120 hours must be spent working directly at the host institution.
The remaining hours will be allocated for report writing, assessment and other academic activities linked to the internship programme.
Internship During Summer Break
Students pursuing CBCS-based undergraduate courses will have to complete their internship during the summer vacation following the fourth-semester examinations.
The provision will also apply to programmes with exit options after the second and fourth semesters.
Students who fail to complete the internship within the designated period will be required to finish it before the end of the fifth semester.
Government Departments to Get Priority
The guidelines lay down a priority-based framework for selecting internship institutions.
Preference will be given first to Central and State Government departments, followed by public sector undertakings (PSUs), local bodies and panchayats, government-aided autonomous institutions, private industries, major non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other registered institutions.
The move is expected to enhance industry exposure, practical skills and workplace readiness among undergraduate students across Bihar’s higher education system.
