To enhance industrial exposure and improve job placement prospects, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has announced a new six-month internship option for its Bachelor of Technology (BTech) students. Starting with the 2024-2025 academic year, students will have the flexibility to engage in extended internships, a shift from the current three-month summer program.
Under the revised structure, students will not have core courses scheduled during their sixth semester, allowing them more freedom to pursue industry experience. Elective courses can now be completed in earlier or later semesters, offering students greater flexibility. Currently, BTech students at IIT Madras complete internships for three months during the summer, a timeframe that has often proven too short for thorough hands-on training. Both industry partners and students had expressed the need for longer internships to enable more meaningful work and in-depth evaluation by employers.
Professor Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, Dean of Students at IIT Madras, explained that many companies frequently request an extension of internships beyond the typical July end-date. However, due to core course requirements, students often faced scheduling conflicts. “Many industry professionals felt there was not enough time to fully evaluate students or to complete significant work. Companies often requested an extension into August, but students needed to return to campus for core courses, sometimes clashing with exams,” he said.
Professor Prathap Haridoss, Dean of Academic Courses at IIT Madras, added that the institute is ensuring no core courses are held in the sixth semester for BTech students. “This change enables students to better plan their electives in advance and spread them across earlier or later semesters to keep their sixth semester open for internships,” he said.
Additionally, IIT Madras will offer online courses from November to July, providing students with flexible learning options while on internships. Students can also choose from a range of options during this extended period, including completing two separate internships, pursuing one extended internship, or working on projects in designated labs or universities. This curriculum reorganization at IIT Madras aims to enhance students' industry readiness by providing them with the opportunity to gain in-depth practical experience.
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