SAHAKAR MITRA: NCDC’s Scheme on Internship Programme

Description
The "SAHAKAR MITRA Scheme on Internship Programme SIP " was introduced by the National Cooperative Development Corporation NCDC in the year 2012-13 with an objective to provide work-related learning experience in the core and special fields of functioning of NCDC to students of professional courses and to project contribution and achievements of NCDC in the development of cooperatives. Subsequently, the scheme was expanded to cover different states by offering SIP to students in 2nd year of MBA Agri-Business from State Agricultural Universities in the states where NCDC’s Regional Offices are located. Interns have gained valuable knowledge and experience in the cooperative sector over the years. Under the programme, NCDC will provide short-term not exceeding four months opportunities to young professionals to acquire learning experience by applying skills and knowledge in an organizational context to facilitate professional development. The programme aims at providing an opportunity for professional graduates to get experience in areas of functioning of NCDC and related aspects of cooperatives. Objectives: 1. To provide a deep immersion opportunity to professional graduates on the role, contribution and impact of NCDC and also cooperatives. 1. To enable the professional graduates, to learn the context and practical working of NCDC and cooperatives. 1. To orient professional graduates to the cooperative business model and engage themselves in start-up cooperatives. 1. To enable professional graduates to take up leadership and /or entrepreneur roles in FPO organized under Cooperative Acts. 1. To assist needy cooperatives in the preparation of business plans and projects.

Exclusions
• <br>

Benefits
• The internship duration does not exceed four months, adhering to the NCDC guidelines.

Eligibility Criteria
1. **1. A person with any of the following qualifications will be eligible for consideration:-**
2. - Professional graduates with minimum qualification as Bachelor’s degree in Agri/ Dairy/ Animal Husbandry/ Veterinary Sciences/ Fisheries/Horticulture/ Textiles/ Handloom / IT duly recommended by the Head of the Department of the UGC / AICTE / ICAR recognized Universities / Institutions as applicable.
3. - Professionals (pursuing or completed) MBA Agri Business / MBA Coop / M.Com / MCA / MBA Finance / MBA International Trade/MBA Forestry/MBA Rural Dev / MBA Project Management / Inter ICAI / Inter ICWA qualification duly recommended by the Head of the Department of the UGC / AICTE / ICAR recognized Universities / Institutions as applicable.
4. A person cannot be taken as an intern more than once.
5. &gt; **Number of Interns and Location:**
6. • NCDC limits interns to 60 overall, spanning Regional Offices, LINAC, and Head Office annually.
7. • Each Regional Office can host a maximum of two interns simultaneously, as per NCDC guidelines.
8. • A maximum of two interns per year is allowed from a specific institution, following NCDC guidelines.

Required Documents
• Passport-size photograph
• Recommendation letter
• Identity proof
• All relevant educational documents
• An e-mail id
• A mobile number
• **Note:** A recommendation letter can be done by the Head of the Department of the UGC/AICTE/ICAR recognized Universities/Institutions as applicable, to the Regional Director NCDC or Chief Director LINAC or Head of HR Division in HO of NCDC.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is 'SAHAKAR MITRA Scheme on Internship Programme (SIP)'?
A: Under the scheme, NCDC will provide short-term (not exceeding four months) opportunities to young professionals to acquire learning experience by applying skills and knowledge in an organizational context to facilitate professional development.

Q: What is the objective of the SIP?
A: The objective of the scheme is to provide work-related learning experience in the core and special fields of functioning of NCDC to students of professional courses and to project contribution and achievements of NCDC in the development of cooperatives.

Q: What is the aim of the scheme?
A: The Scheme aims at providing an opportunity for professional graduates to get experience in areas of functioning of NCDC and related aspects of cooperatives.

Q: When was the SIP introduced, and why?
A: The SIP was introduced in the year 2012-13 to facilitate work-related learning experiences for students and contribute to the development of cooperatives.

Q: How has the SIP evolved over the years?
A: Originally launched for general professional courses, the scheme expanded to include students in the 2nd year of MBA Agri-Business from State Agricultural Universities in states where NCDC's Regional Offices are located.

Q: What is the maximum duration of the internship period at NCDC?
A: The internship period at NCDC shall not exceed four months for a person.

Q: Is the financial support meant to cover only out-of-pocket expenses?
A: Yes, the consolidated monthly amount of [?]10,000/- is intended to partly cover the interns' out-of-pocket expenses during the four-month SIP.

Q: What is the total financial support offered by NCDC during the SIP?
A: The total financial support provided by NCDC to interns during the SIP is [?]45,000/-, inclusive of the consolidated monthly amount and expenses related to report preparation.

Q: Where will the interns be placed?
A: Interns will be placed at the Head Office (HO), LINAC, or Regional Offices (ROs) based on their preferences and the requirements of NCDC.

Q: Can a person participate in the internship program more than once?
A: No, a person cannot be taken as an intern more than once as per the program guidelines.

Q: How can I apply for Sahakar Mitra?
A: Visit the official Portal NCDC: Sahakar Mitra (https://sip.ncdc.in/Default.aspx)