UGC Issues Revised Guidelines for UG Internships, & Research Projects are Now Part of Last Semester
Aditi Chaurasia
17/01/2025
The University Grants Commission has modified its regulations on research and internship for undergraduate degrees since research is now a component of the final semester rather than the final year of a four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP). The regulations that have been approved, titled regulations for Internship/Research Internship for Undergraduate Students, are an update to the draughts document that was published in May of last year.
According to the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) and Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programme (CCFUP), at least two to four credits of the 120 to 160 total credits needed for a three- or four-year undergraduate programme can be devoted to internships. These changes were made in accordance with the newly adopted National Education Policy.
For students participating in undergraduate degree degrees, an internship of 60 to 120 hours in length will be required during the fourth semester, or the second year of the study. The draught defines one credit of internship as a twice-weekly commitment. As a result, one credit in this course is equal to 30 hours of participation over the period of a 15-week semester. In the first and second years, the former regulations also required a 10-week internship, especially for students who were graduating early with a certificate or diploma. The new set of standards make no mention of this clause, though.
Hands-on training, a quick research project, seminar attendance, reading assigned journals to prepare for seminars, studying specific entrepreneurs’ social programmes, or studying businesses or farms, are some of the proposed tasks in the internship course. Students have the option of choosing either an individual or a group internship, with each group being assigned to a certain sector or HEI and being overseen by an internship mentor.
UGC Requirements: Dissertations and Research Projects
Students will work on their research project during the eighth, or final, semester of the four-year undergraduate curriculum with a research component. For 12 required credits, students must complete 360 hours of research-related work.
Additionally, there are requirements for an internship following the fourth semester. This group was obligated to dedicate the remaining 12 months on the project and dissertation under the prior rules. The previous rules mandated that a student complete a minimum of 45 hours of internship-related work per week in order to receive one credit.
This indicates that 10 credits were granted for a 450-hour engagement. According to the new regulations, students must simply turn in their research project to a designated mentor and show up for a viva in order to have it evaluated.
program’s duration and the equivalent number of credits
| Courses | Suggested Schedule | Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year UG degree | After (4th) Semester | 60 -120 hours | 02-04 |
| 4-year UG degree (Honours) | |||
| 4-year UG degree (Honours with Research) | |||
| 4-year UG Degree (Honours with Research) | 8th Semester | One Semester | 08 12 |
Guidelines for UGC Internships: Nodal Authority
According to the amended recommendations, each institution will choose a nodal official to coordinate internship opportunities, ideally one from the research and development cell (RDC). The nodal person would be in charge of contacting other colleges and universities, research organisations, labs, businesses, the government, and other entities to inquire about internship opportunities for the school. In order to understand the needs of businesses and the expectations of students, the guidelines also recommended conducting a survey in the local market.
“The internship has to have clear objectives and be well-defined. As this will help with training, research, employment, and start-ups, the recommendations advise exploring, contacting, and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with local firms, research groups, HEIs, etc. For instance, rural locations might take into consideration time-limited internship options in agriculture and related fields like farm internships and agriculture research internships.”
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