No stipend. Free; certificate and IBM SkillsBuild digital badges on completion (some batches also carry academic credits).
Usually 4 to 6 weeks, virtual; the November 2026 Edunet batch runs 4 months
Varies by batch. Edunet batches: students pursuing B.E., B.Tech, BCA or MCA (CS, IT, Electronics and allied branches preferred). CSRBOX Academic Internship 2026: UG/PG students of any stream graduating in 2027 or 2028, in teams of 2 to 6.
2027-04
Table of Contents(7 headings)
IBM SkillsBuild internships are free virtual internships for Indian college students, built on IBM SkillsBuild, IBM's free learning platform. They are not run by IBM's hiring team. Partner organisations, mainly Edunet Foundation and CSRBOX, run the batches and list them on the AICTE internship portal. You learn through masterclasses and online modules, build a project, and get a certificate with IBM digital badges.
Status on 30 October 2026: one batch is closing. An Edunet Foundation batch on AI and IBM Bob, starting 13 November 2026 and running 4 months, was reported with a 31 October 2026 deadline on the AICTE portal. We could not open the AICTE listing itself to confirm it. After that, expect the summer round: in both 2025 and 2026, the main batches took applications between late April and the end of July. Smaller batches also appear in between, so check the AICTE portal every few weeks.
IBM SkillsBuild internship at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Built on | IBM SkillsBuild |
| Run by | Edunet Foundation and CSRBOX, with AICTE |
| Where to apply | AICTE internship portal (search "IBM", "Edunet Foundation" or "CSRBOX") |
| Fee | Free |
| Stipend | None |
| Duration | Usually 4 to 6 weeks; the November 2026 batch is 4 months |
| Topics in 2025-26 | AI and ML, generative AI and cloud, big data, AI automation, employability skills with AI |
| What you get | Completion certificate, IBM SkillsBuild digital badges, sometimes academic credits |
| Next big round | Expected April to July 2027 |
| Official portal | internship.aicte-india.org |
Eligibility
Each batch sets its own rules, so read the listing before you apply. What recurs:
- Edunet Foundation batches: students pursuing B.E., B.Tech, BCA or MCA. CS, IT and Electronics are preferred, and some batches say other specialisations can apply. You need a laptop or PC with stable internet and must be free for the full batch.
- November 2026 Edunet batch: pre-final and final-year B.E., B.Tech, BCA or MCA students in CS, IT, Electronics or allied branches, with basic Python and AI/ML knowledge and a college email ID. ITI and diploma mechanical or civil students are not eligible (as reported).
- CSRBOX IBM SkillsBuild Academic Internship 2026: UG and PG students of any stream, graduating in 2027 or 2028. You apply as a team of 2 to 6 and choose one track.
How a batch works
The CSRBOX Academic Internship 2026 gives the clearest structure. It ran 6 weeks and 60 hours: 15 hours of expert masterclasses, 15 hours of self-learning on the IBM SkillsBuild platform and 30 hours of project work with weekly mentoring. It ended with a pitch night where teams presented their projects. Students chose one of three tracks:
| Track | Level | Final project |
|---|---|---|
| Big Data and Business Management | Beginner | Business dashboard, insight report and presentation |
| Gen AI and Cloud Computing | Intermediate | An AI-powered app, such as a chatbot or summariser |
| AI Automation and Intelligent Solutions | Advanced (basic AI knowledge needed) | An AI automation system |
Edunet batches follow a similar pattern: weekly workshops, IBM SkillsBuild modules, mentoring and an individual or group project.
Stipend and certificate
There is no stipend in any of these batches. Edunet's October 2025 batch listed ₹0 a month and 2 academic credits. What you get is a completion certificate and IBM SkillsBuild digital badges, which you can add to LinkedIn. It is not an internship at IBM and carries no job offer.
Timeline of recent batches
| Batch | Run by | Key dates |
|---|---|---|
| Employability Skills and Digital Literacy with AI, Oct 2025 | Edunet | Started 7 October 2025; applications until 31 October 2025; 6 weeks; 5,000 seats |
| AI internship, May 2026 | Edunet | Apply by 30 April 2026; 6 weeks from early May |
| IBM SkillsBuild Academic Internship 2026 | CSRBOX | Register by 1 June 2026; started 22 June 2026; 6 weeks |
| AI and Cloud, 2026 | AICTE listing | Applications closed 31 August 2026; 4 weeks |
| AI and IBM Bob, Nov 2026 | Edunet | Apply by 31 October 2026; starts 13 November 2026; 4 months; 4,000 seats |
Dates for Edunet batches come from news and job sites that copied the AICTE listings. The CSRBOX dates come from the official flyer and a university notice.
How to apply
- Register as a student on the AICTE internship portal and complete your profile.
- Search for "IBM", "Edunet Foundation" or "CSRBOX" and open a live listing.
- Check eligibility, duration and the start date, then apply. Keep your college ID and resume ready.
- Watch your email for onboarding steps and the IBM SkillsBuild login.
Some CSRBOX batches also take registrations through a form shared by college placement cells, so ask your T&P office.
What changed over the years
- AICTE and IBM SkillsBuild internships have run through college notices since at least 2023.
- Topics moved from general AI and ML towards generative AI, cloud and AI automation in 2026.
- CSRBOX added a team-based Academic Internship with three skill levels in 2026.
- Edunet's November 2026 batch is much longer (4 months) than the usual 4 to 6 weeks.
More options: summer internships for students, hackathons and hiring challenges, and current IBM openings on talentd.
Cover photo: IBM Bangalore Manyata 2 by Vinoo202 at English Wikipedia, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently Asked Questions
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About the Author
Azhar Khan
Founder | Editor | Senior Fullstack Engineer
Azhar Khan is the founder of Talentd, and a Sr. FullStack Engineer, currently working for USA Fintech company. Passionate about helping people find their dream jobs and grow their careers.
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