AICTE’s New Internship Platform ‘SAMARTHAN’ Empowers Students from Underserved Areas

AICTE has launched SAMARTHAN: Internship Connect, an initiative aimed at empowering students from remote and underserved regions by enhancing their access to internship opportunities and industry exposure.

AICTE’s New Internship Platform ‘SAMARTHAN

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched the ‘SAMARTHAN: Internship Connect’ scheme, a transformative initiative aimed at fostering inclusive and equitable education. Inaugurated by AICTE Chairman Prof. T.G. Sitharam in the presence of Vice Chairman Dr. Abhay Jere. The scheme is designed to offer short-term, high-impact internship opportunities to students from Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, the North Eastern States, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Through strategic collaboration with premier academic institutions across the country including IITs, IIMs, IIITs, IISERs, NITs, NITTTRs, and IHMs AICTE will facilitate 15-day on-campus internships that provide valuable academic, professional, and cultural exposure to students from underserved regions.

SAMARTHAN: Internship Connect

During the internship, students will immerse themselves in a vibrant academic environment aimed at expanding their perspectives and enhancing their skill sets. They will participate in interactive lectures led by renowned academicians, engage in hands-on training within state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms, and interact with students, faculty, and alumni from prestigious institutions.

In addition, interns will have the unique opportunity to visit innovation and incubation centres, gaining firsthand insight into groundbreaking research and entrepreneurial ventures. This comprehensive experience will offer a well-rounded understanding of academic life and technological advancements at India’s leading institutions.

Under the SAMARTHAN scheme, selected interns will receive full support for food and accommodation, which will be arranged by the host institutions and reimbursed by AICTE at a rate of INR 500 per person per day. Additionally, interns will be eligible for reimbursement of their round-trip travel expenses, based on II class sleeper rail fare. The reimbursement will be processed after the successful completion of the internship, upon submission of the required travel documents via post.

Who can apply?

The internship program is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students who are domiciled in the specified regions and enrolled in AICTE-approved institutions. Eligible disciplines include Engineering & Technology, Management, Design, Applied Arts and Crafts, BBA, BCA, and Hotel Management & Catering Technology. Students can participate in up to three internships during their undergraduate studies and two during their postgraduate studies. For more information and to apply, visit the AICTE Internship Portal: https://jk-internship.aicte-india.org/

Launching the scheme, AICTE Chairman highlighted that, “With SAMARTHAN, we are taking forward the Government of India’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. This initiative ensures that students from far-flung regions are not left behind and are provided with equal opportunities to explore, learn, and grow within India’s finest institutions.”

Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman, AICTE, remarked: “SAMARTHAN will be a game-changer in shaping students' aspirations. Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and innovation ecosystems will not only enhance their knowledge but also ignite entrepreneurial and problem-solving spirit among youth.”

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