---
title: Internship and Apprenticeship Opportunities
description: "## **A) Industry Internship Ecosystem (India-first, global-ready)** ### **1) Leading OEMs & EV-first startups** - **Tata (Group / Motors):** - *Tata Global Internships* (8-12 weeks; cross-company placements incl. Tata Motors; 3-stage selection). Windows for the current cycle are publicly posted…"
url: "https://diyguru.org/guide/key-takeaway-for-students-early-professionals/"
updated: "2026-02-26"
category: EV Career Entry Strategies for Freshers
---

# Internship and Apprenticeship Opportunities

## **A) Industry Internship Ecosystem (India-first, global-ready)**

### **1) Leading OEMs & EV-first startups**

- **Tata (Group / Motors):**
  - *Tata Global Internships* (8-12 weeks; cross-company placements incl. Tata Motors; 3-stage selection). Windows for the current cycle are publicly posted on Tata's site. TATA GROUP[https://www.tata.com/careers/programs/tata-global-internships/apply-here?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://www.tata.com/careers/programs/tata-global-internships/apply-here?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
  - *Tata Motors student programmes:* formal summer intakes (traditionally 8-10 weeks; B-school and engineering tracks). Tatamotors Careers - Join us[https://joinus.tatamotors.com/student-programmes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://joinus.tatamotors.com/student-programmes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- **Mahindra Group / Mahindra Electric:**
  - Roles surface via the Mahindra Careers portal (engineering, software, manufacturing). The group also runs flagship early-career cohorts (e.g., MLP) and posts intern/cohort updates publicly. Mahindra Careers - Instagram
- **Ather Energy:**
  - *Ather on Campus / Student Chapter* plus frequent internship calls (e.g., Ride Experience Analyst - product, vehicle dynamics, user research; often Bengaluru-based; 3-6 months).[https://careers.atherenergy.com/students?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://careers.atherenergy.com/students?utm_source=chatgpt.com)careers.atherenergy.com- Freshers CampThe Global Scholarship
- **Ola Electric:**
  - Intern openings appear on Ola's careers page and job boards (technical + AI/analytics + manufacturing). Example recent listings show 20k/month for certain roles; timelines vary by team. Ola Electric talentd.in Unstop

#### **2) Charging, Battery & Energy players**

- **SUN Mobility (battery swapping):** recurring internships (strategy/research; ~₹20k/month cited in recent calls). Careers page highlights mentorship & on-the-job training. Opportunity  Track sunmobility.com
- **Log9 Materials (cells/packs, fast-charge):** frequent intern roles (engineering, operations; Bengaluru). Current/ recent calls via careers boards and their job site.[https://log9materials-talent.freshteam.com/jobs?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://log9materials-talent.freshteam.com/jobs?utm_source=chatgpt.com)log9materials-talent.freshteam.com Unstop Prosple India
- **Tata Power (EV charging):** roles occasionally listed via university/partner notices and Tata Power careers.[https://www.tatapower.com/career-compass?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://www.tatapower.com/career-compass?utm_source=chatgpt.com)Tata Powersbs.ac.in
- **Exponent Energy (fast-charge ecosystem):** roles/internships appear via company careers & LinkedIn updates (6-month stints are common in scale-up teams). Exponent.energy LinkedIn
- **Exide / Exide Energy & Amara Raja (giga & cell lines):** internships/early-career training routed via careers portals; both are scaling Li-ion manufacturing in India (e.g., Exide's 6 GWh Bengaluru gigafactory plan).[https://careers.exideindustries.com/opportunities-exide/interns.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://careers.exideindustries.com/opportunities-exide/interns.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com)careers.exideindustries.com Glassdoorautocarpro.in

### **3) Test, Certification & Govt labs (great for hands-on validation)**

- **ARAI - Pune (Type Approval, xEV testing):** TechNovuus internship calls (phased cohorts; live projects at ARAI campus). Also short EV safety/testing programs.[https://technovuus.araiindia.com/blogs/blogDetails/MTQ1NQ%3D%3D?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://technovuus.araiindia.com/blogs/blogDetails/MTQ1NQ%3D%3D?utm_source=chatgpt.com)technovuus.araiindia.com+1 Instagram
- **ICAT - Manesar:** internships via ASPIRE portal for industry-grade problem statements in testing and certification.[https://aspire.icat.in/internship?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://aspire.icat.in/internship?utm_source=chatgpt.com)ASPIRE+1[https://aspire.icat.in/internship?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://aspire.icat.in/internship?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- **NATRAX - Pithampur:** structured internship program for final-year M.E./M.Tech across Mech/EE/EC/CS (vehicle & component testing exposure). natrax.in

### **4) Research Internships (Battery, Power Electronics, e-Mobility)**

- **IIT Madras - C-BEEV & allied CoEs:** India's early EV/battery center; internships and projects surface via IITM's placement/internship brochures & centre pages.[https://placement.iitm.ac.in/downloads/Placement_%26_Internship_Brochure_2024-25.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://placement.iitm.ac.in/downloads/Placement_%26_Internship_Brochure_2024-25.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)placement.iitm.ac.in IIT Madras Internship respark.iitm.ac.in
- **SERB "Accelerate Vigyan - VRITIKA/ABHYAAS":** short research internships (4-8 weeks typical); many calls cover battery/EV topics. Funding rules vary by host call (boarding/lodging support common; stipend often not included).[https://serb.gov.in/page/abhyaas?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://serb.gov.in/page/abhyaas?utm_source=chatgpt.com)serb.gov[.in](http://serb.gov.in) [Prism](https://prism.serbonline.in/RS-AV?utm_source=chatgpt.com)ampri.res.in
- **Global routes:**
  - **Tesla internships** (engineering, energy, supply chain; US/EU/APAC; 3-12 months depending on region).[https://www.tesla.com/careers/intern-resources?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://www.tesla.com/careers/intern-resources?utm_source=chatgpt.com)Tesla+1
  - **Rivian internships** (12-week programs across vehicle, AI/ADAS, supply chain; some postings show hourly pay ranges in the US).[https://careers.rivian.com/students?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://careers.rivian.com/students?utm_source=chatgpt.com)careers.rivian.com EV.Careers
  - **DAAD / RISE-family programs** and **Mitacs Globalink** (Canada) are recurring research-intern channels; **eligibility and partner-country lists change year-to-year**, so verify current country eligibility and deadlines before applying. DAAD+1 Mitacs Research at UCalgary

## **B) Internship Focus Areas (with example project briefs)**

- **Design & Engineering:** CAD/CAE for housings, mounts, frames; DFMA reviews for gigapress-friendly parts; NVH on e-powertrains; homologation documentation (AIS-038 Rev. 2-xEV). *Example brief:* redesign of inverter enclosure to cut mass by 12% while maintaining IP67 and thermal margins.
- **Battery Technology R&D:** cell characterization (EIS, GITT), pack design, thermal propagation tests, BMS algorithms (SOC/SOH/SOE). *Example brief:* create a physics-informed SOC estimator benchmarked against data-driven baselines on drive cycles.
- **Software & Controls:** AUTOSAR-Classic/Adaptive modules, motor control loops, OTA update pipelines, ADAS perception benchmarking. *Example brief:* implement an OTA rollback strategy with safety interlocks for traction inverter firmware.
- **Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering:** line balancing, PFMEA/CPK for module assembly, traceability with battery passport fields, yield-loss pareto & root-cause on cell lines.
- **Charging Infrastructure Planning:** site surveys, load studies, tariff modeling (TOU/CPP), OCPP backend testing, location analytics for two/three-wheeler urban nodes.
- **Data & Reliability:** fleet telemetry ingestion, predictive maintenance (motors, bearings, contactors), warranty analytics, field-failure FRACAS.

(Recent Ather/Ola/SUN/Log9 calls reflect variations of these tasks in posted descriptions.) The Global Scholarship Freshers Camp Unstop Opportunity Track

## **C) Where to find & track openings (high-signal sources)**

- **Company career pages / student hubs:** Tata Global Internships, Ola Electric Careers, Ather Students, Exide/Amara Raja/Log9 careers.
- **Govt portals:**
  - **AICTE Internship Portal** (frequent listings; many are unpaid or virtual--filter thoughtfully). National Internship Portal
  - **ARAI TechNovuus** / **ICAT ASPIRE** / **NATRAX** for test-lab internships.[https://technovuus.araiindia.com/blogs/blogDetails/MTQ1NQ%3D%3D?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://technovuus.araiindia.com/blogs/blogDetails/MTQ1NQ%3D%3D?utm_source=chatgpt.com)technovuus.araiindia.com ASPIRE natrax.in
- **Campus & job boards:** Prosple/Unstop/LinkedIn often mirror EV postings (e.g., Ola/Log9/SUN).[https://unstop.com/internships/electrical-internship-ola-electric-mobility-338011?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://unstop.com/internships/electrical-internship-ola-electric-mobility-338011?utm_source=chatgpt.com)Unstop+1 Prosple India

## **D) Apprenticeship Models (India) -- how they work & pay bands**

- **NATS (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme)** -- for degree/diploma grads; 12-month apprenticeships managed by BOAT/BOPT. Scheme year typically starts **Aug 1**; fairs are periodic.[https://nats.education.gov.in/about-us.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://nats.education.gov.in/about-us.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)nats.education.gov.in boatnr.org
- **PM-NAPS (Promotion Scheme)** -- broader sector coverage; govt shares part of stipend with employers (up to **₹1,500/month** or **25%** of stipend under NAPS 2.0 guidelines). mySchemeapprenticeship training.delhi.gov.in
- **2025 stipend update:** Central Apprenticeship Council has **proposed a hike** of minimum stipend bands to **₹6,800-₹12,300/month** (from ₹5,000-₹9,000), with CPI-linked revisions. Check the latest circulars as roll-out proceeds across states/establishments.
- **Dual System of Training (DST) / ITI tie-ups:** e.g., Tata Motors-GITI Lucknow collaboration offering hands-on plant training with a **₹10,100/month** stipend during practical modules. The Times of India
- **Typical flow:** student registers on **NATS**/**Apprenticeship India** → shortlist by host → contract → 12 months on-the-job + assessments; completion certificate counts as valid experience.[https://nats.education.gov.in/?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://nats.education.gov.in/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)nats.education.gov.in Apprenticeship India

**Reality check (pay):** private EV internships at startups often pay more than apprenticeship minima (e.g., recent SUN Mobility/Ola posts around **₹20k/month** for specific roles), while many AICTE-listed virtual internships are unpaid. Expect **₹8k-₹25k/month** on average in India depending on role/city; US internships (e.g., Rivian) publicly show **$16.75-$21.75/hour** for certain campus roles. Opportunity Track talentd.in National Internship Portal ZipRecruiter

## **E) Application timing (2025) -- practical calendar**

- **Aug-Oct:** line up winter/spring research internships (SERB AV calls; EU short schools; some Tesla/Rivian early reqs post now). serb.gov.inTesla
- **Sep-Jan:** **Tata Global Internships** window (per current cycle), many OEM summer pipelines open; watch ARAI/ICAT/NATRAX pages for rolling calls. Tata Group+1 technovuus.araiindia.com ASPIRE
- **Jan-Mar:** manufacturing & plant internships (pre-summer) and apprenticeship fairs via BOAT/BOPT. nats.education.gov.in
- **Mar-Jun:** bulk of India summer internships kick off; some research internships (VRITIKA/host-led) start May-Jul. ampri.res.in

## **F) Selection process & how to stand out (what hiring panels actually assess)**

- **Screening:** resume + portfolio/GitHub + 1-2 role-specific questions (e.g., show a Simulink motor-control loop, or your BMS SOC estimator).
- **Technical round(s):**
  - **Battery/Power:** EIS basics, pack architecture, short-circuit/thermal modeling, inverter topologies, gate-drive protection.
  - **Software/Controls:** AUTOSAR basics, RTOS, CAN diagnostics (UDS), control loop tuning, OTA safety.
  - **Manufacturing/Test:** PFMEA, SPC/CPK, torque traceability, vehicle test plans (range/accel/gradeability).
- **Case/task:** quick CAD change with DFMA notes; or write a small script to clean CAN logs & compute regen efficiency deltas.
- **Behavioral:** curiosity, safety mindset (especially HV), cross-functional comms.

(Interview formats echoed in public intern role posts & candidate reports for EV firms.)[https://log9materials-talent.freshteam.com/jobs?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://log9materials-talent.freshteam.com/jobs?utm_source=chatgpt.com)Glassdoor

## **G) Apprentice vs. Intern -- which should you pick?**

- **Internship (2-6 months typical):** great for **projects/portfolio**; faster switching across teams; stronger fit for software/analytics, early R&D exposure.
- **Apprenticeship (≈12 months):** best for **plant, testing, service, and manufacturing** tracks; steadier income, structured evaluation; often leads to **GET/DET** roles in operations.

## **H) Action plan (checklist you can use today)**

1. **Target list (10-12 orgs):** pick 3 OEMs (e.g., Tata, Mahindra), 3 energy/charging (SUN, Tata Power, Exponent), 3 battery (Log9, Exide Energy, Amara Raja), 2 labs (ARAI/ICAT/NATRAX). Use career pages + LinkedIn alerts. Tata Group Mahindra Careers sunmobility.com Tata Power exponent.energy careers.exideindustries.com +1natrax.in
2. **Map your track:**
   - Battery/Power → highlight MATLAB/Simulink, EIS, thermal models, DC-DC/three-phase inverter basics.
   - Software/Controls → C/C++, RTOS, CAN tools, AUTOSAR, Python for data; show 1-2 EV datasets you analyzed.
   - Manufacturing/Test → PFMEA samples, SPC dashboards, line-balance study, test-plan snippets.
3. **Portfolio proof:** one **EV-relevant capstone** (pack CAD + thermal sim; or charging site plan with tariff math), one **data/controls** mini-project, one **blog/README** with results & code.
4. **Apply smart:** track **cycles** above, and in India, **also register on NATS/NAPS** if you're open to 12-month apprenticeships.[https://nats.education.gov.in/?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://nats.education.gov.in/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)nats.education.gov.in Apprenticeship India
5. **Prepare interviews:** rehearse 10 HV safety points, 10 BMS/drive-unit fundamentals, and 5 failure analyses you can discuss.

### **Quick notes on pay & compliance**

- Apprenticeship **minimum bands** are being revised to **₹6,800-₹12,300** (proposal cleared by CAC/MSDE; watch for implementation memos).
- Private EV internships may exceed these minima (examples around **₹20k/month** exist in current postings). Opportunity Track
- Some research internships (SERB VRITIKA) **do not include stipends** but cover boarding/lodging as per call. ampri.res.in
- US internships typically quote hourly rates openly (e.g., **Rivian $16.75-$21.75/hr** in certain campus roles).[https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Rivian-Internships?utm_source=chatgpt.com](https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Rivian-Internships?utm_source=chatgpt.com)ZipRecruiter

### **1. Month-by-Month EV Internship & Apprenticeship Application Tracker**

| **Month** | **Primary Actions** | **Application Windows** | **Company Focus** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **January** | Prep portfolio & GitHub updates; apply to Spring internships | Ather Energy, Ola Electric often list Jan-Feb roles; Govt apprenticeships intake (NATS, NAPS) | Ather, Ola, ICAT |
| **February** | Submit research internship applications | SERB VRITIKA calls; IIT Madras/IIT Delhi research projects | IIT Madras C-BEEV, Log9 |
| **March** | Finalize applications for summer internships | Tata Motors Summer Internship, Mahindra Young Talent Initiative | Tata Motors, Mahindra |
| **April** | Attend career fairs & AICTE Internship updates | AICTE portal & ARIIA calls; apply for plant apprenticeships | Exide Energy, Amara Raja |
| **May** | Interviews, assessments, coding/CAD tests | Many offers rolled out for June-July intake | Tata Power, Exponent Energy |
| **June** | Join summer internships; begin plant training | Internships officially start; onboarding for apprenticeships | Tata Motors, Ather |
| **July** | Work on assigned projects; document results | Mid-point reviews; Govt notifications for stipend revisions | NATRAX, SUN Mobility |
| **August** | Target international research programs | DAAD RISE/ Mitacs Globalink (next-year cycle); Tesla/Rivian open calls | Tesla, Rivian |
| **September** | Apply to global OEM fall intakes | Tata Global Internship Program cycle; SERB Abhyaas calls | Tata Global, IIT Madras |
| **October** | Refresh portfolio & prepare mid-term reports | ARAI TechNovuus cohorts; apply for winter internships | ARAI, ICAT |
| **November** | Short winter projects (2-3 months) | Many labs/universities open winter calls | NATRAX, IITM |
| **December** | Consolidate learnings & update resume | Wrap-up reports; publish blogs & GitHub demos | SUN Mobility, Log9 |

Use this as a rolling calendar (2025-26). Update "Company Focus" with your shortlist (e.g., Tata Motors, Ather, SUN, Log9, Exide Energy, ARAI, ICAT, Tesla, Rivian).

**2. Skills-to-Projects Matrix**

| **Skill Domain** | **Must-Have Skills** | **Sample Project Deliverables (Portfolio-Ready)** | **Company Fit** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Battery Technology** | Cell chemistry basics, BMS algorithms, MATLAB Simulink | Build SOC estimator (Kalman filter vs ML-based) & validate on open-source drive-cycle data | Log9, Exide, Amara Raja |
| **Power Electronics** | Inverter topologies, MOSFET/IGBT switching, thermal modeling | Design DC-DC converter in MATLAB/PLECS & simulate efficiency at different loads | Tata Motors, Ola, SUN |
| **Embedded Systems & Controls** | C/C++, AUTOSAR, CAN diagnostics, real-time control | Implement CAN parser in Python + real-time logging; develop simple FOC (Field Oriented Control) loop in Simulink | Ather, Mahindra |
| **Mechanical & Thermal** | CAD (CATIA, SolidWorks), FEA, cooling strategies | 3D CAD of battery enclosure + CFD thermal sim (air/liquid cooling comparison) | Exide, Tata Motors |
| **Software & AI/ADAS** | Python, TensorFlow, ROS, CV for perception | Train a YOLO model for pedestrian detection; simulate ADAS response in Carla/Gazebo | Tesla, Rivian |
| **Charging Infra & Energy Systems** | Load flow, grid integration, OCPP | Design EV charging station layout + tariff optimization model (Python, Excel) | Tata Power, Exponent Energy |
| **Data Analysis & Reliability** | SQL, Python (Pandas), dashboarding | Create predictive maintenance model using open EV fleet dataset (bearing failures, SOC drift) | Ola, SUN Mobility |
| **Sustainability & Policy** | LCA tools, policy analysis, recycling methods | Prepare EV battery lifecycle CO₂ footprint report + recycling strategy proposal | Govt labs, ARAI, ICAT |
| **Soft Skills** | Problem-solving, teamwork, reporting | Publish a blog on your internship learnings, build LinkedIn portfolio, present projects in webinars | All companies |

Align **skills** with **project deliverables** to prove competence during applications/interviews. Each cell suggests a project idea you can showcase.

 **How to Use:**

- Pick **3 companies per quarter** and map their hiring cycle in the tracker.
- Match your **skills** to at least **one project deliverable per domain** (by May-June, you'll have 5-6 strong portfolio items).
- Keep everything documented in **GitHub + LinkedIn posts** → this increases discoverability.

## FAQs:

### 1. What is the difference between an EV internship and an apprenticeship?

- **Internships** usually last 2-6 months, focus on short-term projects, and are best for software, R&D, and analytics roles.
- **Apprenticeships** typically last 12 months under NATS/NAPS, are more structured, and are ideal for plant, testing, and service functions.

### 2. Which companies in India offer internships in the EV sector?

Some leading companies and labs offering structured EV internships include:

- **OEMs & Startups**: Tata Motors, Mahindra Electric, Ather Energy, Ola Electric
- **Battery & Charging Players**: Log9 Materials, Exide Energy, Amara Raja, SUN Mobility, Exponent Energy, Tata Power
- **Testing & Certification Labs**: ARAI (Pune), ICAT (Manesar), NATRAX (Pithampur)
- **Global**: Tesla, Rivian, Mitacs (Canada), DAAD RISE (Germany)

### 3. How can I track internship openings in the EV domain?

You can track opportunities from:

- **Company career portals** (Tata Motors Careers, Ather Students, Ola Electric)
- **Govt portals** (AICTE Internship, NATS, Apprenticeship India, TechNovuus/ASPIRE)
- **Job boards** (Unstop, Prosple, LinkedIn)
- **Research institutes** (IIT Madras C-BEEV, SERB calls)

### 4. What are the typical focus areas of EV internships?

Internship domains include:

- Design & Engineering (CAD, NVH, DFMA)
- Battery R&D (SOC estimation, thermal modeling, BMS)
- Software & Controls (AUTOSAR, OTA, CAN)
- Manufacturing & Process Optimization
- Charging Infrastructure Planning
- Data Analytics & Reliability Engineering

### 5. What stipend can I expect during EV internships and apprenticeships?

- **Internships (India)**: ₹8,000 - ₹25,000/month (startups like SUN Mobility, Ola often ~₹20k).
- **Apprenticeships (India)**: Revised bands ₹6,800 - ₹12,300/month under NATS/NAPS (2025).
- **Global internships**: Tesla/Rivian US internships: $16.75 - $21.75/hr.
- **Govt research programs (SERB VRITIKA)**: Usually boarding/lodging covered, stipend not always included.

### 6. What is the best time to apply for EV internships?

- **Aug-Oct**: Winter/spring research internships, Tesla/Rivian early calls.
- **Sep-Jan**: Tata Global Internships, ARAI/ICAT rolling calls.
- **Mar-Jun**: Peak summer internships (Tata, Mahindra, Ather, Ola).
- **Aug onwards**: DAAD, Mitacs, and other global research programs.

### 7. What skills should I highlight to improve my chances of selection?

- **Battery/Power**: MATLAB/Simulink, cell testing, inverter topologies.
- **Software/Controls**: C/C++, CAN tools, AUTOSAR, Python.
- **Mechanical/Thermal**: CAD/FEA, CFD cooling analysis.
- **Charging/Infra**: Grid integration, OCPP, tariff modeling.
- **Soft Skills**: Safety mindset, teamwork, documentation, problem-solving.

### 8. What do EV companies test during internship interviews?

- **Technical rounds**: Battery pack design, inverter protection, CAN diagnostics, control loops.
- **Hands-on tasks**: CAD edits, CAN log analysis, coding scripts, BMS algorithm tweaks.
- **Behavioral**: Curiosity, cross-functional communication, safety awareness (especially high-voltage).

### 9. Should I choose an internship or apprenticeship?

- Choose **internship** if you want project experience, diverse exposure, or plan higher studies.
- Choose **apprenticeship** if you want structured industry training, plant exposure, and pathways to full-time roles.

### 10. How can I stand out among applicants?

- Maintain a **portfolio/GitHub** with EV projects (BMS algorithm, CAD enclosure, charging site model).
- Document learnings via **blogs/LinkedIn posts** to showcase visibility.
- Prepare for **interview tests** with at least 1-2 EV datasets or simulations you can present.
- Build a **skills-to-project matrix** aligned with target companies.