Over 1.18 Lakh Odisha Students Take Up Internships, Community Service Under NEP Framework

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has engaged more than 1.18 lakh undergraduate students in internships and community service programmes during the 2025–26 academic session as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines.

The initiative, undertaken by the state’s Higher Education Department, aims to provide students with practical exposure and hands-on learning experience beyond classroom education. Under the NEP framework, undergraduate students are required to complete internships and community service activities during the fourth semester.

Officials said the six-week internship programme has enabled students to work across a wide range of sectors, including government offices, educational institutions, Anganwadi centres, Panchayat Samiti offices, health centres, financial institutions, private organisations and NGOs operating under different government departments.

Separate operational guidelines have been issued for smooth implementation of the programme. Students participating in the internships will receive academic credits based on attendance, presentations, weekly reports and overall performance. The credits will also be reflected in their Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), while certificates will be issued after successful completion of the programme.

According to departmental data, the highest participation in internship and community service activities has been recorded from districts such as Ganjam, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Cuttack and Balangir.

Students have been placed in institutions functioning under departments including Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Women & Child Development, Health & Family Welfare, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Higher Education, and School & Mass Education.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the state government is prioritising quality and research-oriented education in higher educational institutions. He noted that internships and community service programmes would help students gain practical understanding of grassroots administration and public service systems.

The minister further said exposure to government institutions, private industries and NGOs would help students understand the real-world application of academic learning and improve their future employment and entrepreneurship prospects.