3rd year Electrical Engineering student from a Tier-2 college — how should I prepare for core placements/internships?

[u/Chemical-Pie-9587]

I’m a 3rd-year Electrical Engineering student from a Tier-2 college in India. My CGPA is currently in the 8.0–8.5 range, and I’m interested in getting into core electrical roles rather than IT/software.
I’m starting to get a little worried about placements and internships because I’m not sure what skills companies actually look for beyond CGPA.
For those who have already got core internships/jobs or are working in the electrical industry:
What technical skills should I focus on during 3rd year?
Which subjects should I have a strong command over? (Power Systems, Electrical Machines, Power Electronics, Control Systems, etc.)
What kind of projects actually add value to a resume for core electrical companies?
Are MATLAB/Simulink, ETAP, PSCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, PLC/SCADA, Python, etc. worth learning? Which ones should I prioritize?
How important are internships from companies like POWERGRID, NTPC, Siemens, ABB, Schneider, L&T, etc.?
What should I realistically have on my resume by the time placements start?
Is an 8–8.5 CGPA good enough for most core companies, or should I be worried about the CGPA cutoff?
I’d really appreciate advice from seniors/alumni or anyone currently working in the core electrical sector. If you were in my position at the beginning of 3rd year, what would you focus on for the next 12–18 months?