The IKS (Indian Knowledge Systems) Institutional Internship Program 2026–27, also known as BG Samvahan Karyakram-6, is a research and development initiative by the IKS Division of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. This program funds organizations to host interns for up to six months to work on projects that contribute to the study, documentation, and application of Indian Knowledge Systems.
Quick Overview: IKS Institutional Internship 2026-27
The internship aims to support the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by creating tangible educational resources such as curriculum materials, glossaries, documentaries, and digital repositories based on IKS themes. Unlike earlier programs, this edition focuses on clear, quantifiable deliverables that directly aid in mainstreaming IKS in education.
Organizations submit proposals detailing the project scope, intern requirements, and expected outputs. Selected projects receive funding for intern fellowships and mentor honorariums. This article explains the program’s objectives, eligibility, thematic areas, application process, funding, and important dates.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | BG Samvahan Karyakram-6 (IKS Institutional Internship 2026–27) |
| Conducted By | IKS Division, Ministry of Education |
| Program Type | Organization-led internship with funded projects |
| Who Can Apply | Organizations (Institutes, NGOs, Gurukulas, Trusts) as Principal Investigators |
| Duration | Up to 6 months (flexible, extendable with approval) |
| Funding per Project | Up to ₹15 Lakhs |
| Application Deadline | January 30, 2026 |
| Project Start | April 1, 2026 |
About the IKS Institutional Internship 2026-27
The IKS Institutional Internship Program 2026–27 is designed to engage youth and institutional capacity in deep, scholarly work on Indian Knowledge Systems. The program shifts from earlier short-term student internships to a project-based model where organizations propose and execute IKS projects with clear deliverables.
Key objectives include:
- Supporting NEP 2020 implementation by creating IKS-based educational resources.
- Encouraging interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research in IKS.
- Bridging traditional knowledge systems with contemporary applications.
- Documenting oral traditions, texts, and practices for wider dissemination.
The IKS Division will retain copyright of all materials produced. Contributors retain authorship but do not receive royalties.
Check About the IKS Internship Here
IKS Institutional Internship Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility to apply as a Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI is as follows:
| Role | Eligibility Requirements |
|---|---|
| Principal Investigator | Faculty in govt./private educational institutions, govt. labs, NGOs/Trusts working in IKS, Acharyas in Gurukulas/Pathashalas, or practicing artists with minimum 5 years teaching/research experience. |
| Co-Principal Investigator | Same as above, with minimum 3 years experience. |
| Organizations | Can submit up to two proposals. NGOs/Trusts must be solely engaged in IKS-related research/education. |
| Interns | Must be between 16–30 years, pursuing or completed UG/PG from a recognized university, Gurukula students, independent scholars, or recent graduates (within 2 years). |
Note: Independent researchers or students cannot apply as PIs but can be mentors.
Internship Themes and Research Areas
Projects must align with one of the following 16 thematic areas of IKS:
- 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, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Sciences
- Performing Arts
- Mechanical & Digital Design & Engineering
- Civil and Architectural Sciences
- Fine Arts and Sculpture
- Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Sciences
- Fashion and Interior Design
- Edutainment Sciences
Projects marginally related to IKS or without substantial IKS content will be rejected. Examples of IKS-aligned vs. non-IKS projects are provided in Annexure-1 of the official document.
IKS Institutional Internship Internship Duration and Mode
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | Maximum 6 months (extendable with prior approval) |
| Mode | Project-based, can be on-site/field-based as per project design |
| Work Schedule | Full-time engagement of interns as per project timeline |
| Outputs | Deliverables such as reports, glossaries, courses, multimedia content, etc. |
Projects can start from April 1, 2026, with final reports due by October 31, 2026.
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How to Apply for IKS Internship 2026-27
Organizations must submit proposals online via the IKS Division portal. The process is as follows:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visit iksindia.org from January 15, 2026, for the submission link. |
| 2 | Prepare the proposal as per the template: Cover page, Proposal narrative (max 10 pages), Budget, PI/Co-PI resumes, signatures, etc. |
| 3 | Ensure the proposal includes primary text references and at least one team member who can read primary texts without translation. |
| 4 | Compile all documents into a single PDF (max 20 MB) named: BGSamvahini06_YOURLASTNAME.pdf. |
| 5 | Upload the PDF through the portal by January 30, 2026. |
| 6 | No separate email confirmation will be sent. A successful submission message will appear on the portal. |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Portal Opens | January 15, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | January 30, 2026 |
| Project Selection Announced | February 27, 2026 |
| Project Start Date | April 1, 2026 |
| Final Report Submission | October 31, 2026 |
IKS Institutional Internship Stipend and Funding Details
| Component | Funding Details |
|---|---|
| Intern Fellowship | ₹10,000 per month per intern |
| Mentor Honorarium | ₹5,000 per intern per month (max ₹15,000 per month) |
| PI Honorarium | ₹5,000 per month for the project duration |
| Total Project Limit | Up to ₹15 Lakhs or 100 person-months, whichever is lower |
| Other Costs | No funding for supplies, contingencies, travel, or equipment. These must be covered by the fellowship/honorarium. |
Funding is released to the organization or directly to interns/PIs as per IKS Division’s decision.
Selection Process
Proposal Screening: Compliance with guidelines and thematic relevance.
Peer Review: Proposals evaluated by independent experts based on:
- Relevance to IKS mission (20 points)
- Contribution to NEP 2020 (15 points)
- Clarity of goals and deliverables (10 points)
- Team expertise (20 points)
- Novelty and utility (10 points)
- Appropriateness of intern requirement (10 points)
- Social/economic benefits (15 points)
Selection Announcement: Results published on iksindia.org by February 27, 2026.
Project Initiation: Formal sanction order issued to selected organizations.
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FAQs
🔽 Who can apply as a Principal Investigator?
Faculty, Acharyas, practicing artists, or professionals from NGOs/Trusts with at least 5 years of teaching/research experience in IKS.
🔽 Can students apply directly for internships?
No. Students can only apply as interns through selected organizations after projects are approved.
🔽 What are the expected deliverables?
Course materials, glossaries, documentaries, digital repositories, reports, compendiums, etc., that support NEP 2020 implementation.
🔽 Is knowledge of Sanskrit or classical languages mandatory?
Yes, the team must include at least one member who can read primary texts without translation aid.
🔽 Can an organization submit more than one proposal?
Yes, up to two proposals per organization.
🔽 Is there any age limit for interns?
Yes, interns must be between 16–30 years of age.
🔽 How is funding disbursed?
Either directly to interns/PIs or to the organization, as decided by IKS Division.
