FAQ
Questions, answered.
Eligibility, stipend expectations, how selection works, and exactly how your training rolls into the internship and final project submission.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Who can apply for a SparkleBots internship or training?+
Engineering, diploma, BSc/MSc and BCA/MCA students from any year, plus IT professionals switching to hardware. Branches we work with most: E&TC, Electronics, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Computer, IT, AI/ML, and Instrumentation. Motivated school students (10+) are welcome on the short summer/winter tracks.
Do I need prior coding or electronics experience?+
No. We start from first principles — soldering, wiring, microcontrollers, Python/C++ basics — and build up. If you already code or have built projects, you'll be pushed into a harder capstone instead of repeating fundamentals.
Is there an age limit?+
No upper age limit. Minimum age 15 for on-site tracks, with parental consent under 18.
Can students from outside Pune / outside Maharashtra join?+
Yes. Roughly half our interns each batch travel in from other states. We help with PG / hostel referrals near the Kothrud lab — we do not run our own hostel.
Stipend & fees
Stipend & fees
Is the internship paid? What's the stipend?+
SparkleBots is a training-cum-internship program, not a salaried role. Training tracks (45 days / 3 months / 6 months) have a program fee that covers lab time, components, mentorship, and the capstone kit. High-performing interns on the 6-month track can be considered for a paid extension or a stipended role with our hiring partners once the capstone ships.
What does the program fee include?+
Bench time in the Kothrud lab, all standard components and consumables for the capstone, mentor reviews, an ISO-certified completion certificate, and a letter of recommendation on merit. Custom parts beyond the kit (specialised sensors, 3D-printed enclosures at scale) are billed at cost.
Are scholarships or EMI options available?+
Yes — merit-based partial waivers for the 3 and 6-month tracks, and no-cost EMI through partner NBFCs. Ask on the application form and we'll share the current slabs.
Selection process
Selection process
How do I apply and what happens next?+
Fill the application form. You'll get a call within 2 working days for a short screening — 15-20 minutes on your background, interest area, and the track you want. If it's a fit, we send an offer letter with the batch start date and the kit list.
Is there a written test or coding round?+
Not for training tracks. For the 6-month industry-immersion track and any paid extension, expect one technical round covering basic electronics, embedded C or Python, and how you'd approach a small build problem.
When do batches start?+
Sprint (45-day) batches run every month, with peaks in May-June and Nov-Dec for summer / winter training. 3 and 6-month tracks start every quarter. Exact dates are shared on the offer letter.
Training → internship → project submission
Training → internship → project submission
How does training lead into the internship?+
Every track is a single continuous program — the first phase is structured training (concepts, lab drills, mini-builds), the second phase is a mentored internship where you own a real prototype end to end. There is no separate application between the two; you progress inside the same batch.
What is the capstone project and who owns it?+
You pick a capstone from a shortlist aligned with your domain (Robotics, Drones, IoT, AI, Humanoids) or propose your own. You own the IP for personal / academic use; SparkleBots retains the right to showcase it and to use anonymised learnings for teaching. Client-sponsored projects have separate IP terms disclosed upfront.
How is the project submitted and evaluated?+
You submit: a working prototype demo, a short project report (problem, approach, BOM, results), the source code repo, and a 3-5 minute demo video. Evaluation is by a mentor + one external reviewer on functionality, engineering rigor, and documentation. Passing submissions get the completion certificate, and top projects get featured on our Customers and Stories pages.
Will SparkleBots sign my college internship letter / report?+
Yes. We issue an official internship letter, a completion certificate, and — on request — sign the internal college internship report / diary in the format your university requires. Share the template at the start of the batch.
What happens after the program?+
Strong interns are referred into our partner network of 200+ institutions and corporates for full-time or extended roles. Aspiring founders can pitch their capstone into the Incubation track for continued lab access and mentorship.
Still have questions?
Talk to a mentor before you apply.
Call the lab or drop us a line — we'll walk you through the track that fits your goals, background, and timeline.