The IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship is a structured summer research internship offered by Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
SURGE stands for Students-Undergraduate Research Graduate Excellence. The IITK internship program was launched on 8 May 2006 and is designed to promote undergraduate research through faculty-guided projects.
Students selected under the SURGE Internship work closely with IIT Kanpur faculty members on defined research problems during the summer period.
This article explains the IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship eligibility, how to apply, duration, stipend , and other key details.
Quick Overview of IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship
| Program name | Students-Undergraduate Research Graduate Excellence (SURGE) |
| Host institute | IIT Kanpur |
| Program type | Summer research internship |
| Launched | 8 May 2006 |
| Main focus | Undergraduate research under faculty mentorship |
| Who can participate | Students from IIT Kanpur, other Indian institutions, and SAARC countries |
| Duration | About 8 weeks |
| Usual timeline | Second week of May to second week of July |
| Recognition | Best project and poster awards |
About IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship
The SURGE Internship is a summer research program offered by IIT Kanpur to encourage early exposure to academic research.
The IITK summer internship program focuses on building research skills at the undergraduate level by allowing students to work on clearly defined projects under the guidance of IIT Kanpur faculty members.
SURGE is conducted under the Office of Outreach Activities (OOA).
Objectives of the SURGE Program
The key objectives of the SURGE Internship are clearly defined:
- To promote undergraduate research and early academic exploration
- To provide hands-on research experience under faculty mentorship
- To help students apply classroom concepts to real research problems
- To encourage interest in higher studies and research-oriented careers
The IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship serves as a structured platform for students to understand the fundamentals of research methodology, documentation, and academic discipline.
Related: IIT Madras summer Internship 2026
How to Apply for IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship
Candidates must register online through the SURGE portal and complete the application there.
| Step | What you do |
| 1 | Go to the official SURGE website and open the online registration link. |
| 2 | Check the eligibility section for your category before registering. |
| 3 | Complete the online registration and submit the required details on the portal. |
| 4 | As stated on the SURGE site, to complete the application, the student needs to identify a professor who agrees to be the mentor for the summer period. |
Note: The SURGE website publishes year-wise timelines and instructions. Always follow the current year notice on the official portal.
Related: IIT Patna Summer Internship 2026
Eligibility Criteria
The IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship follows eligibility conditions that are defined through its official program notifications.
Based on the structure described on the official SURGE website, the eligibility criteria for IIT Kanpur summer intenrship includes the following:
- Students currently enrolled at IIT Kanpur
- Students enrolled in other recognised Indian colleges or universities
- Students from SAARC countries
The IITK SURGE Internship program is designed primarily for students seeking undergraduate research exposure through a structured summer internship.
Selected applicants are required to work under the supervision of an IIT Kanpur faculty member during the internship period.
Important: Year-wise eligibility details such as academic level, department-specific requirements, documentation, and selection criteria are announced separately for each edition of the SURGE Internship program. Applicants must refer to the official notification for 2026 before applying.
Related: IIT Delhi Summer internship 2026
Important Dates for IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship
The IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship follows a fixed summer cycle every year. While exact dates are announced through the official SURGE notification, the program generally adheres to the timeline outlined below.
| Event | Expected Timeline |
| Application portal opens | March to early April |
| Application deadline | April |
| Internship start date | Second week of May |
| Internship end date | Second week of July |
| Total duration | About 8 weeks |
Applicants are advised to regularly check the official SURGE portal for the 2026 notification to confirm the final application dates and schedule.
Duration of IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship
The IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship is conducted as a full-time summer research internship. The program is structured to allow students to focus entirely on their assigned research work during this period.
As stated on the SURGE website, the internship runs for a total duration of about eight weeks. This duration is considered sufficient for students to understand the research problem, work closely with their faculty mentor, and complete the assigned research tasks.
The SURGE Internship usually begins in the second week of May. This start time aligns with the completion of most academic semesters, allowing students to participate without overlap with regular classes.
The internship typically concludes in the second week of July. By the end of this period, students are expected to complete their research work and any required presentations, reports, or evaluations as defined by the program.
| Total duration | About 8 weeks |
| Usual start time | Second week of May |
| Usual end time | Second week of July |
Related: IIT Goa Summer Internship 2026
Awards and Recognition under IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship
The IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship includes formal recognition for students who demonstrate strong research work during the program.
| Type of recognition | Details |
| Best Project Awards | Awarded for outstanding research projects completed during SURGE |
| Best Poster Awards | Given for high-quality research presentation and poster work |
| Special awards | Includes named awards such as the Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Verkey Cherian Award |
These awards are intended to recognise academic effort and quality research output produced during the SURGE Internship.
Related: IIT Jodhpur Summer Internship 2026
Stipend and Benefits of IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship
The official IITK SURGE information page does not specify any stipend for the SURGE Internship.
Details related to financial support, if any, are announced separately through year-wise notifications on the official SURGE website.
- Opportunity to work on faculty-guided research projects at IIT Kanpur
- Exposure to undergraduate research methodology
- Experience of working in an academic research environment
- Eligibility for best project and poster awards
Students are advised to check the official SURGE notification for 2026 to confirm whether any stipend or additional benefits are offered for that edition.
FAQs on IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship
đź”˝ What does SURGE stand for at IIT Kanpur?
SURGE stands for Students-Undergraduate Research Graduate Excellence.
đź”˝ Who conducts the IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship?
The SURGE Internship is conducted by the Office of Outreach Activities at IIT Kanpur.
đź”˝ How long is the IIT Kanpur SURGE Internship?
The internship typically runs for about eight weeks during the summer period.
đź”˝ When does the SURGE Internship usually take place?
The usual timeline is from the second week of May to the second week of July.
đź”˝ Are students from outside IIT Kanpur eligible for SURGE?
Yes. The program is open to IIT Kanpur students, students from other Indian institutions, and students from SAARC countries.
