Andhra Pradesh makes 360-hour semester internships mandatory for UG students
The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education will implement the new credit-based internship requirement from November 16, 2026.
The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has introduced a mandatory 360-hour semester internship for undergraduate students in all State universities and affiliated colleges. According to The Hindu, the requirement will begin on November 16, 2026, and will carry 12 academic credits.
APSCHE Chairman (in-charge) S. Vijaya Bhaskar Rao said the initiative aims to improve graduate employability and strengthen linkages between industry and academia. He stated the programme follows the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, UGC guidelines, the National Credit Framework (NCrF), and the Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes (CCFUP).
The internships will be part of the final-year curriculum. Students in three-year degree courses must complete the programme during their sixth semester, while those in four-year programmes, including professional and Honours with research courses, will do so in their eighth semester.
Universities and colleges have been told to prioritise stipend-based internships through the new Institute-Industry Connect (IIC) portal. Non-stipendiary options will only be allowed if stipend-based roles are not available. All undergraduate students are required to register on the IIC portal, which connects with DigiLocker to access Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) IDs.
Registration for industry and enterprise partners will start on November 4. Organisations including MSMEs, government departments, NGOs, and technology firms are invited to offer internships in sectors such as semiconductors, green hydrogen, and Artificial Intelligence. These roles may be offered physically or virtually.
Prof. Rao has instructed Vice-Chancellors and Registrars to circulate the guidelines immediately to ensure all affiliated institutions comply.