In the academic year 2025-26, over 1.18 lakh students from various institutions in Odisha, India, participated in a six-week internship program as part of their curriculum, as announced by Suryabanshi Suraj, the state's higher education minister. This initiative, mandated by the National Education Policy 2020 and University Grants Commission guidelines, requires undergraduate students to engage in internships and community service during their fourth semester. Internships were arranged in diverse settings including government offices, educational institutions, anganwadi centres, block offices, health centres, private organizations, and NGOs. Students will earn academic credits based on their attendance, presentations, weekly reports, and overall performance, which will be reflected in their Academic Bank of Credits. The minister highlighted that the highest participation rates were observed in Ganjam, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, and Balangir districts. This initiative not only aims to provide students with practical exposure but also enhances their understanding of how academic knowledge is applied in real-world settings, thereby improving their future employment prospects and entrepreneurial opportunities.