An effort to reduce India’s graduate employability gap through a demand-driven, industry-certified training and internship model
HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurers has launched a unique internship program in partnership with global skilling major upGrad. Named ‘Insurance Fundamentals Program’ by HDFC Life and upGrad, this course not only offers certification in life insurance but also provides practical experience of the business and outlines a career pathway for the participants.
The program is a3-week self-paced online course followed by a four-month paid internship with HDFC Life for learners who complete the program and meet the internship selection criteria. Learners need to pay a nominal fee to register and access the online course on the upGrad portal.
The learners stand an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with one of India’s most respected life insurance companies while improving their chances of landing full-time employment in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)sector. Designed for pre-final, final year students, fresh graduates, and career switchers with little to no prior finance experience, this program will equip learners with a powerful blend of hard and soft skills.
Phase 1 will roll out across colleges and universities in India, with the goal of embedding industry-aligned skills into academic ecosystem and accelerating employability outcomes at scale.
The program aims to provide internship opportunities forup to2,000 eligible participants across HDFC Life branch network.
According to Vibhash Naik – Chief Human Resources Officer,HDFC Life “The Indian insurance industry is poised for growth and as companies scale-up there will be a demand for skilled and qualified professionals. For aspirants looking at building a career in this sector, domain knowledge is absolutely essential. The Insurance Fundamentals Program, jointly certified by HDFC Life and upGrad is not just about training; it’s about being employable and having the requisite knowledge and skills that are relevant for the BFSI sector. This program combines domain and industry knowledge along with real-world exposure, thus offering participants the best of both worlds.”
Learners will be trained in financial literacy, time value of money, interest calculation, risk assessment, insurance terminology, and Unit Linked Insurance Plan ULIP insights. Modules on regulatory compliance, Insurance Act, grievance redressal, and money laundering prevention will further equip them with a strong compliance foundation. To prepare for frontline, client-facing roles, the program will also sharpen verbal and non-verbal communication; body language, grooming standards, and professional etiquette ensuring graduates are not just informed, but industry-ready.
Anuj Vishwakarma, COO –Institutional Businesses &Certifications, upGrad added, “As India positions itself as a global talent hub, programs like this are essential ground levellers. Youth from both metros and smaller towns are entering the formal workforce, and we’re committed to equipping them with the right tools to succeed. In high-trust sectors like insurance, role-specific, outcome-driven training is not just important – it's urgent.”
“At upGrad, we’ve spent years perfecting the right market mix to ensure our learning outcomes are aligned with industry needs and enables our talent to use it from Day 1. This partnership with HDFC Life will now bring that capability into the insurance ecosystem. What makes this partnership truly impactful is the opportunity to learn directly through on-the-job exposure. Internships remain the most powerful way to bridge theory and practice – and doing that with an industry leader brings unmatched value”, he added.
The launch aligns with a growing shift in how corporates are rethinking hiring, prioritising outcome-driven skilling over conventional sourcing models. As the Indian life insurance industry works towards achieving the collective vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’, the need for customer-facing professionals will continueto surge. Reports suggest the BFSI sector overtook Information Technology (IT) as the top recruiter in FY24, adding over 200,000 jobs.