The IKS Institutional Internship 2026 (BG Samvahan Karyakram-6) is a transformative initiative by the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, Ministry of Education, designed to engage the youth of India in deep, meaningful research on the country’s rich and diverse traditional knowledge systems.
This program empowers students and young researchers to undertake scholarly projects in Bharatiya Bhashas (Indian languages), directly contributing to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the national mission to rejuvenate Indian Knowledge Systems.
IKS Institutional Internship 2026: Key Dates
Prospective applicants and host institutions must adhere to the following critical timeline for the 2026–27 cycle:
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Due | January 30, 2026 |
| Projects Selection Announced | February 27, 2026 |
| Project Start | April 1, 2026 |
| Final Report Due | October 31, 2026 |
Overview of the BG Samvahan Karyakram-6 Program
This institutional internship is a strategic move to decentralize and scale IKS research. Unlike previous individual-focused internships, this program is designed for organizations—including universities, colleges, Gurukulas, NGOs, and research labs—to host interns. Organizations are required to submit detailed project proposals with clear, quantifiable deliverables that align with IKS thematic areas and support NEP 2020.
Primary Objectives:
- To encourage original and deep scholarly engagement of young students with IKS.
- To create tangible educational resources (courses, glossaries, documentaries, etc.) for mainstreaming IKS.
- To build research capacity and mentor the next generation of IKS scholars.
IKS Institutional Internship 2026: Funding and Financial Support
Selected projects will receive comprehensive financial backing as per the following structure:
- Maximum Project Grant: Up to ₹15 Lakhs for a duration of up to 6 months.
- Intern Fellowship: ₹10,000 per month per intern.
- Mentor Honorarium: ₹5,000 per intern per month (capped at ₹15,000/month).
- Principal Investigator (PI) Honorarium: A fixed ₹5,000 per month for the project duration.
Note: Funding is exclusively for fellowships and honorariums. No support is provided for equipment, contingencies, or overheads.
Thematic Areas for Proposals
Proposals must align with one or more of the following 11 core IKS thematic areas. Projects should emphasize Parampara (tradition), Drishti (unique Indian perspective), and Laukik Prayojana (contemporary utility).
- Vedic Philosophical and Cognitive Sciences
- Historical and Civilizational Sciences
- Contemporary Social / Cultural Sciences
- Mathematical, Physical and Astronomical Sciences
- Speech and Linguistics
- Political, Economic and Strategic Sciences
- Medical and Health Sciences
- Culinary, Nutritional and Pharmacological Sciences
- Agricultural Science, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry
- Performing Arts
- Mechanical & Digital Design & Engineering
(Refer to the official Annexure in the notification for examples of qualifying vs. non-qualifying projects.)
Check IKS Internship Official Notification Here
Eligibility Criteria of IKS Institutional Internship 2026
Who can be a Principal Investigator (PI)?
- Faculty members (Assistant Professor and above) in UGC-recognized public/private institutions.
- Acharyas from traditional Gurukulas or Pathashalas.
- Practicing artists with a minimum of 5 years of teaching experience.
- NGOs/Trusts/Foundations working solely in IKS research and education.
Who can be an Intern?
- Students aged between 16–30 years.
- Those pursuing or who have completed a UG/PG degree from a recognized university.
- Students of Gurukulas.
- Independent scholars who have graduated within the last two years.
Proposal Submission Process
- Prepare Proposal: A complete proposal includes a Cover Page, 10-page Narrative, Budget, PI/Co-PI resumes, signed undertakings, and required certificates.
- Language: Proposals can be submitted in English or any Indian language included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
- Format: Strictly follow the template and formatting guidelines (1-inch margins, 11-point font, single PDF <20MB).
- Naming Convention: Save PDF as
BGSamvahini06_YOURLASTNAME. - Submit Online: Upload the final PDF via the official portal on iksindia.org (link active from January 15, 2026).
Contact: For any queries, email iksinternships@iksindia.org.
Why Apply for the IKS Internship?
- Contribute to National Education Policy: Your work will directly create resources for NEP 2020 implementation.
- Monetary Support: Receive a competitive monthly fellowship as an intern or honorarium as a mentor/PI.
- Certificate of Recognition: Get certified by the IKS Division, Ministry of Education.
- Ownership & Dissemination: While contributors retain authorship, the IKS Division holds copyright to ensure wide, free public dissemination of the created knowledge.
Important Instructions for Applicants
- An institute can submit multiple proposals, but a maximum of two will be selected.
- The proposal team must include at least one member proficient in reading primary source texts (Sanskrit/other Indian languages) without translation aid.
- Proposals with vague deliverables or minimal IKS content will be rejected.
- Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and will lead to immediate disqualification and termination of funding.
