New Delhi, September 1, 2025 – The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced that all final-year undergraduate students must complete mandatory internships starting from the 2025–26 academic year.

The internships will span 60–120 hours and can be undertaken in corporates, NGOs, startups, research institutes, or government departments.

This is a major step in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, ensuring students gain practical knowledge, soft skills, and industry exposure before entering the workforce.

Colleges and universities have been instructed to tie up with industries. Students welcomed the move, saying it would help with better placements, while some raised concerns about internship availability in smaller towns.