IIT-Delhi Makes Summer Internships Optional

For the first time in its nearly five-and-half-decade history, IIT has made summer internships optional for its students.

From this year, other than summer internship, third-year students can opt for live projects in subjects like robotics and design-based learning, or pick up any other hobby project after consulting the department.

Until last year, it was mandatory for everyone to go for a 10-week internship, which often helped students secure job offers.

With the increasing trend of starting their own ventures and startups, IIT Delhi has decided to make it optional. Whereas a debate is still going on at other IIT’s.

While some IITs still insist on summer internships, a few like IIT Bombay already allow students to choose other engagements as well.

IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur continue to stick to internship. "It is compulsory here as we believe that this gives the student experience while being on the job," said a faculty at IIT Madras to media.

According to a faculty member at IIT Kanpur, almost every year there is a debate to make internship compulsory.