The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), operating under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has introduced a new internship programme for 500 students from educational institutions with which it has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). This announcement was made during the recent Annual Convention of Standardisation Chairs and Nodal Faculty.
The internships are open to students pursuing four-year undergraduate degrees, five-year integrated courses, postgraduate studies, and diploma programmes. Spanning eight weeks, the programme offers hands-on experience in areas such as pre-standardisation research, Quality Control Order (QCO) compliance assessments, and industry exposure through site visits to large enterprises, small and medium-sized manufacturers, and accredited laboratories. Participants will delve into production practices, testing protocols, quality controls, and materials analysis.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made significant progress in strengthening its collaboration with academic institutions across the country. One of the major accomplishments includes the integration of standardisation-related modules into the curricula of 15 higher education institutions. This move aims to embed quality consciousness and regulatory awareness in students from an early stage in their academic journey.
To further enhance industry-academia synergy, BIS has launched over 130 research and development projects focused on various aspects of standardisation. Additionally, more than 50 institutions have set up dedicated BIS resource centres and academic dashboards to support knowledge sharing and student engagement. These centres serve as key platforms for learning, research, and awareness-building activities related to quality standards.
Student participation has also seen a substantial boost through initiatives like the creation of 198 Standards Clubs across 52 campuses. These clubs have played a central role in organizing events, discussions, and awareness drives. Notably, over 3,400 students from 74 institutes have taken part in national-level quiz competitions aimed at testing and improving their understanding of standards and quality systems. Looking ahead, 500 internship opportunities have been planned for the academic year 2025–26, offering students practical exposure to standardisation processes and compliance measures.
In his opening remarks, Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General of BIS, emphasized the importance of this initiative in fostering a culture of quality and regulatory awareness within the academic sector. Shri Rajeev Sharma, Deputy Director General (Standardisation), called on institutions to deepen their engagement and actively contribute to the national quality framework.
The event featured thematic sessions covering syllabus enhancement, standards development, student engagement initiatives, and institutional best practices. The interactive segment allowed attendees to exchange ideas and showcase collaborative academic models.
Representatives from 58 institutions attended the convention. Five were recognised for their outstanding involvement in BIS-related programmes: IIT Roorkee, SSEC Chennai, NIT Jalandhar, SVCE Chennai, and PSNACET Dindigul.
