Graduation Students to Get Industry Experience Along with Degree, Mandatory Apprenticeship Introduced with ₹12,300 Monthly Stipend
Patna: In a major step toward making higher education more employment-oriented, the Bihar government is set to introduce an Undergraduate Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme as part of the four-year bachelor's degree curriculum in state universities. Under this new initiative, students will not only pursue their academic studies but also gain hands-on industry experience through mandatory apprenticeships. During the training period, students will receive a monthly stipend of ₹12,300.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements by ensuring that graduates leave college with both academic knowledge and practical work experience, making them more employable in today's competitive job market.
Programme to Begin from the Next Academic Session
The programme will be implemented in phases, starting with four major universities in Bihar. These include Patna University, Patliputra University, Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University (BRA Bihar University).
According to Deepak Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor, the programme is designed to directly connect higher education with employment opportunities. Students will gain real-world exposure by working with industries while continuing their studies.
Based on National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
The Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme has been developed in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes skill-based learning, practical education, and stronger collaboration between educational institutions and industry.
Under the new curriculum, 75 percent of the course will consist of traditional academic learning, while the remaining 25 percent will focus on industry-based apprenticeship and practical training.
Mandatory Apprenticeship in the Third Year
One of the programme's key features is that apprenticeship will be compulsory during the third year of the four-year undergraduate course.
During this period, students will work with industries, corporate organizations, startups, government departments, or other institutions related to their field of study. This practical exposure will help them understand workplace culture, develop technical skills, and gain valuable professional experience before graduation.
Students to Receive ₹12,300 Monthly Stipend
A major highlight of the programme is the monthly stipend of ₹12,300 provided to students during their apprenticeship.
The financial support is expected to encourage wider participation, especially among students from economically weaker backgrounds, allowing them to gain practical experience without financial hardship.
Apprenticeship Performance to Be Included in Final Degree
The apprenticeship will not merely be a training exercise. Students' performance during the programme will be evaluated based on their work quality, discipline, technical competence, and learning outcomes.
The marks obtained during the apprenticeship will be included in the student's final degree, making industry training an integral part of the academic assessment.
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry
Employers today increasingly seek candidates with practical work experience in addition to academic qualifications. Many graduates struggle to secure jobs because they lack real-world exposure.
The new programme aims to address this issue by enabling students to work in professional environments while pursuing their degrees. They will gain hands-on experience, improve communication skills, develop teamwork and leadership abilities, and become industry-ready before completing their education.
Better Employment Opportunities
Experts believe that students with apprenticeship experience have significantly better chances of securing employment after graduation. In many cases, companies also offer permanent jobs to apprentices who perform well during their training.
The programme is expected to enhance the employability of thousands of students across Bihar while providing industries with a skilled and job-ready workforce.
A Major Initiative by the Bihar Government
The Bihar government believes that earning a degree alone is no longer sufficient in today's competitive job market. Therefore, the education system is being redesigned to combine academic excellence with practical training.
The Higher Education Department and universities are working closely with industries and corporate organizations to create apprenticeship opportunities. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with companies may also be signed to ensure adequate placements for students.
Praised by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary
The programme was appreciated during a higher education review meeting chaired by the Governor, where Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary praised the initiative. The meeting emphasized that the programme would help prepare Bihar's youth according to the evolving needs of modern industries.
Key Benefits for Students
The programme offers several important advantages:
- Practical industry experience alongside graduation.
- Monthly stipend of ₹12,300 during apprenticeship.
- Opportunity to work with industries and companies before graduation.
- Better preparation for employment.
- Apprenticeship marks included in the final degree.
- Development of professional, technical, and communication skills.
- Improved chances of securing jobs after graduation.
- Stronger connection between higher education and industry.
A New Era for Higher Education in Bihar
Education experts believe that if implemented effectively, the Undergraduate Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme could transform higher education in Bihar. Students will no longer graduate with only theoretical knowledge but will also possess valuable workplace experience and industry-relevant skills.
The initiative is expected to promote skill-based education, improve youth employability, and strengthen the relationship between universities and industries. It represents a significant step toward creating a future-ready workforce and making higher education more relevant to the demands of the modern job market.
