Ahmedabad: In a significant shift under the New Education Policy (NEP), universities across Gujarat have officially made internships mandatory for external students. The aim is to provide practical exposure and real-world experience alongside academic learning. While the system has traditionally allowed thousands of students in arts, commerce, and science streams to pursue degrees independently without attending daily lectures, they must now meet the same practical requirements as their regular counterparts.The rollout has not been without hurdles. Although universities were initially expected to facilitate these placements, a lack of administrative preparation has forced students to secure their own positions. This has led to a scramble for opportunities, with many students collaborating with private agencies to fulfil the requirement. As official instructions are expected to be dispatched shortly, education experts warn of a “last-minute rush”. Much like the challenges faced by regular students during the initial implementation, external candidates now face the daunting task of balancing their independent studies with professional placements to avoid delays in their final results.The application process for external exams is underway.
