The Assam government has invited applications for Internship 2.0, a four-week Industrial Exposure Programme designed for third-year engineering students to gain practical understanding of technology’s application in governance. The Directorate of Information Technology, Electronics & Communication (DITEC) announced the initiative, targeting students of Computer Science, Information Technology, and other related fields.
The programme aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world government technology implementation, providing young engineers with firsthand exposure to how digital platforms are developed, secured, and utilised to enhance public services. This move underscores the state’s commitment to nurturing homegrown tech talent and accelerating its digital transformation agenda, according to DITEC Director Ashwani Kumar.
What was announced
The Directorate of Information Technology, Electronics & Communication (DITEC), Government of Assam, announced the launch of Internship 2.0, an Industrial Exposure Programme. Ashwani Kumar, IAS, Director of DITEC, highlighted that the programme is specifically tailored for third-year students pursuing degrees in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, Electrical Engineering, and allied disciplines. The four-week intensive programme is designed to offer participants a comprehensive insight into the role of technology in modern governance.
Why it matters
This initiative holds significant importance for Assam’s aspiring engineers and its broader digital ecosystem. It provides a unique opportunity for students to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical government projects, thereby enhancing their employability and aligning their skills with industry demands. DITEC Director Ashwani Kumar emphasised that as governments globally increasingly rely on digital technologies for public service delivery, there is a growing need for engineers who understand both technology and governance. The programme is expected to foster innovation by integrating fresh, youth-driven perspectives into government operations and to encourage local talent retention by offering meaningful opportunities within the state.
The curriculum has been significantly enriched, building on feedback from an inaugural batch of eleven students in 2025. It is designed as an immersive exposure programme, moving beyond conventional classroom internships, Kumar said. This approach is crucial for preparing a workforce capable of contributing to Assam’s vision of becoming a hub for technology and innovation.
Background
The launch of Internship 2.0 is a continuation of Assam’s strategic push towards digital transformation and strengthening its technology infrastructure. DITEC, under the leadership of Ashwani Kumar, has been instrumental in spearheading initiatives aimed at advancing the state’s digital landscape. Kumar was appointed Director of DITEC in January 2025 with a mandate to integrate IT operations across government departments, expand e-governance solutions, and promote investment in the IT sector.
The inaugural batch of the internship programme in 2025 laid the groundwork for the current enhanced version. The state government has been actively pursuing an “AI-First Strategy,” positioning Assam as a hub for AI-driven governance, economic growth, and innovation. This includes the upcoming Assam AI-IT Policy 2025, which aims to regulate and promote AI adoption across industries. Previous collaborations, such as Google partnering with the Assam government in October 2022 for digital-led learning and skill development, and IIT Guwahati’s involvement in the Arohan scheme to inspire STEM excellence, underscore the state’s ongoing efforts to empower its youth through technology education. These initiatives collectively aim to build a robust pipeline of digital talent and convert policy announcements into tangible outcomes for the state.
Key details
The Industrial Exposure Programme, Internship 2.0, is open to third-year students of Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, Electrical Engineering, and other allied disciplines. Applicants must be enrolled in AICTE-recognised engineering institutions within Assam. The programme is a four-week engagement, providing hands-on experience at the DITEC headquarters in Guwahati.
Participants will gain exposure to a wide array of digital governance platforms and initiatives. These include the Unified Assam Portal (Sewa Setu), e-District, e-Office, e-Prastuti, District e-Governance Societies, and various citizen service delivery mechanisms. The curriculum also covers the technology infrastructure supporting these services, such as the State Data Centre, Government Cloud, Cloud Computing, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), networking fundamentals, ASWAN, SWAN, the Assam Right of Way Portal, and BSNL’s Swadeshi 4G initiative.
A significant addition to Internship 2.0 is Artificial Intelligence, where students will explore Generative AI, Large Language Models, Prompt Engineering, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Machine Learning, AI Governance, and Responsible AI. Practical exposure to AI tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, Claude, GitHub Copilot, and NotebookLM is also part of the programme. Furthermore, the internship introduces Data Analytics, with a focus on Tableau, dashboards, data visualisation, and evidence-based decision-making. Students will also learn about Government Financial Rules, public financial management, procurement processes, and World Bank-supported projects.
DITEC clarified that the programme will not provide any stipend, remuneration, travel allowance, daily allowance, or boarding or lodging facilities. Participants are expected to make their own arrangements. Upon successful completion of the internship, meeting attendance requirements, and submitting assignments and a final project report, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion of Industrial Exposure Training from DITEC.
Interested candidates may submit their applications to the Directorate of Information Technology, Electronics & Communication (DITEC), Assam Secretariat, Behind I Block (Old CM Block), Dispur, Guwahati–781006, Assam. For inquiries, applicants may use the email address [email protected] or call 0361-2510237.
What’s next
The successful implementation of Internship 2.0 is expected to contribute significantly to the state’s goal of fostering a skilled, tech-ready youth population. DITEC officials anticipate that the programme will inspire a new generation of engineers to engage deeply with technology-driven public service, thereby enhancing Assam’s stature as an emerging technology-forward state. The insights gained from this batch will likely inform future iterations of the programme, further strengthening the collaboration between government and academia in Assam’s digital journey.