Bhubaneswar: Over 1.18 lakh students from various institutions under the higher education department were provided a six-week internship and community service opportunities in the academic year 2025-26, minister Suryabanshi Suraj said on Friday.According to the official statement from the higher education department, internships were arranged across govt offices, educational institutions, anganwadi centres, block offices, health centres, private organisations and NGOs working under govt departments.The UG students need to undertake internships and community services in their fourth semester, in line with National Education Policy- 2020, and University Grants Commission guidelines.The higher education department has released separate guidelines for the internship programme. “Students will earn academic credits based on attendance, presentations, weekly reports and overall performance during the internship. These credits will be reflected in the students’ Academic Bank of Credits. The students will also be awarded certificates after completing the internship,” the higher education minister said.He added the highest internship participation this year was from Ganjam, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Cuttack and Balangir districts.“The higher educational institutions are being encouraged to prioritise quality and research-focused learning. Through internships and community service, students will gain practical exposure. They will be able to understand grassroots-level functioning and administrative processes,” he said.The minister further said internships in govt institutions, private industries and NGOs would give students first-hand understanding of how their academic curriculum is applied in real-world settings, supporting future employment prospects and entrepreneurship opportunities.
