President Droupadi Murmu called upon educational institutions in Punjab to take an active role in guiding young people away from drug abuse while addressing the convocation ceremony at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar. She highlighted that drug addiction has seriously affected the health, social, economic, and moral fabric of society, especially among youth, and stressed that universities must help students move towards constructive and meaningful life paths. During her address, the President emphasized that educational institutions play a vital role in shaping young minds and building responsible citizens. She said that the coming decades are crucial for building a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) and that the country’s future depends on young people who think scientifically, act responsibly, and serve society selflessly. She urged universities and higher education institutions to instil strong human values, ethical awareness, and social responsibility among students so that they contribute positively to national development regardless of their career paths. The President also praised Guru Nanak Dev University for promoting the teachings and values of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which focus on humanity, service, and social harmony. During the convocation ceremony, honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney for his contributions to society and Jasvir Gill, CEO of Alert Enterprise Inc., for his global leadership in the technology sector. On the academic side, the ceremony celebrated major achievements of students and researchers. A total of 17 medals, numerous undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and 258 PhD degrees were awarded to successful candidates. The event highlighted GNDU’s growing reputation as a leading public university with high academic standards, strong research output, and a commitment to social awareness and student development. Overall, the convocation combined academic recognition with an important social message, stressing that higher education institutions must not only focus on academic excellence and research but also help protect youth from social challenges like drug abuse while promoting values, innovation, and responsible citizenship.
Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar has introduced a new Punjabi-First Education, Research and Governance Policy 2026, making Punjabi (in Gurmukhi script) compulsory along with English for major research submissions such as PhD theses, dissertations, project reports and funded research work. The university says this decision aims to improve accessibility, inclusiveness and regional academic engagement by ensuring that research is available to Punjabi-speaking students, teachers, policymakers and the wider community.According to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Karamjeet Singh, the move is designed to democratise knowledge and remove language barriers so that research does not remain limited to elite academic circles. He explained that research will be submitted in English (or primary academic language) along with a Punjabi version that accurately reflects the original content and maintains academic quality.The policy is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, promoting multilingual education and encouraging the use of regional languages in higher education and research. GNDU plans to provide academic glossaries, writing guides, translation assistance, AI-supported tools and a bilingual digital repository to help scholars prepare Punjabi research documents.The implementation will happen in phases: doctoral theses and funded research first, followed by master’s dissertations and later other institutional research work. Limited exemptions may apply in highly technical or legally restricted areas, but even then Punjabi summaries will be required. The policy will take effect from the next academic session.
Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, has taken a historic decision to make Punjabi language submissions compulsory alongside English for major academic research outputs, including PhD theses, dissertations and funded project reports. The move was approved under the newly framed Punjabi-First Education, Research and Governance Policy 2026, which aims to break language barriers in higher education and make scholarly work more widely accessible.According to official statements, the policy requires that all doctoral research and similar academic outputs be submitted in both English (or the primary academic language) and Punjabi (in Gurmukhi script), without compromising academic quality. GNDU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Karamjeet Singh described the initiative as a “historic and people-centric step” that supports the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and strengthens inclusivity in academic communication.The university clarified that the Punjabi versions of research work will not be symbolic or ceremonial. Instead, they will be evaluated rigorously for clarity, accuracy and fidelity to the original research findings. GNDU officials emphasised that this will help ensure that research created in Punjab is not confined to elite academic circles or language-restricted audiences, but can be easily understood by Punjabi-speaking students, teachers, parents, policymakers and the wider public.Under the new policy, implementation may be phased in over time, starting with PhD and funded research outputs, with support structures such as academic translation support units and glossaries being developed to assist researchers. The initiative is seen as a progressive step in recognising Punjabi as a dynamic scholarly language while maintaining global academic standards.
Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar has officially started the PhD admission process for the January 2026 session across multiple academic disciplines. The university invited eligible candidates to submit their online application forms within the given deadline, providing an opportunity for research aspirants to apply in fields such as Agriculture, Science, Engineering, Humanities, Management, Social Sciences, and more. As part of the admission process, GNDU announced key dates and important admission stages. The last date to apply online was January 10, 2026, while the PhD Eligibility Test was scheduled for January 19, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Lecture Theatre Complex on the GNDU campus. After the test, the university planned to conduct department-level counselling on January 27, 2026, where shortlisted candidates would proceed with further admission formalities. A major highlight of this admission cycle was the exemption from the PhD Eligibility Test for candidates who hold valid national-level qualifications or fellowships. Applicants with credentials such as UGC-NET (including Category-3), CSIR-JRF, SLET, GATE, GPAT, ICAR, INSPIRE, Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship, Teacher Fellowship, Direct Fellowship, M.Phil from GNDU, or a valid GNDU PhD eligibility certificate were allowed to skip the entrance test. However, all applicants - including exempted candidates - were still required to complete the online application process. In terms of eligibility, candidates were required to hold a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks or equivalent CGPA. Reserved category and differently-abled candidates were given relaxation with a minimum requirement of 50% marks. The university also advised applicants who completed their Master’s degree through distance education, lateral entry, or from private/deemed universities to verify academic equivalence before applying to avoid admission cancellation later. The PhD Eligibility Test was described as qualifying in nature, meaning it would only determine eligibility for further stages and would not guarantee final admission. Candidates were required to secure a minimum of 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) to qualify, and the test result would remain valid for two years, subject to admission rules and departmental requirements. Overall, the GNDU PhD January 2026 admission announcement provided a structured timeline, clear eligibility guidelines, and multiple pathways for entry through national fellowships or entrance examinations. The initiative aimed to streamline research admissions and encourage qualified candidates from diverse academic backgrounds to pursue doctoral studies at the university.
Amritsar: Shubham Sharma, a UGC-JRF PhD research scholar from the Department of Biotechnology at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), has earned top honours by winning the ‘Best Poster Award’ at the prestigious International Conference on Biotechnology for Sustainable Development and Circular Economy. The conference was jointly organised by Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, and the Biotech Research Society of India (BRSI), drawing participation from scientists and scholars across India and abroad.Sharma’s award-winning poster, titled “Novel Strategies to Enhance Withanolide Content in Ashwagandha,” focused on cutting-edge research into sustainable biotechnology techniques to improve the concentration of pharmacologically important withanolides in Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). Withanolides are key bioactive compounds widely used in Ayurvedic medicines and modern phytopharmaceutical applications, and the research aligns with global goals of sustainable bio-resource utilization and value addition.The achievement highlights the depth and quality of research being conducted at GNDU, particularly in the areas of plant biotechnology and sustainable development. Sharma is working under the guidance of Prof. Pratap Kumar Pati, Head of the Department of Biotechnology, whose research group is internationally recognised for its work in plant biotechnology, secondary metabolite engineering and sustainable agricultural practices.Reacting to the accolade, GNDU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Karamjeet Singh applauded the scholar’s dedication and innovation, stating that the recognition reflects the university’s strong emphasis on high-impact research and its commitment to advancing scientific knowledge with real-world benefits. He expressed confidence that such achievements would further enhance the university’s reputation on both national and international academic platforms.Sharma’s success not only brings honour to GNDU but also underscores the growing role of Indian research scholars in contributing to global scientific discourse, particularly in sustainable biotechnology and circular economy themes that are increasingly critical in addressing environmental and health-related challenges.
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Amritsar has officially opened the application process for its PhD programme for the academic year 2026. Interested candidates can submit their applications online until February 28, 2026, through the institute’s official portal.The programme is open to candidates with a master’s degree or postgraduate diploma in any discipline with first-class marks, as well as professionals holding qualifications such as CA, ICWA, CS, or CFA Level II, along with a relevant graduate degree. Final-year students of qualifying degrees are also eligible to apply provisionally, provided they submit final mark sheets by June 30, 2026, and all original certificates by December 31, 2026.The selection process involves evaluating academic records, research interests, and valid test scores including CAT, GATE, GRE, GMAT, or UGC/CSIR JRF. Shortlisted candidates will then appear for a Research Aptitude Test (RAT), a Written Analysis Test, and a personal interview. The final admission list is expected to be announced by May 2026.The application fee is ₹1,500 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates, while SC, ST, and PwD applicants are required to pay ₹1,000. This move by IIM Amritsar reflects the institute’s commitment to advancing research and developing skilled professionals capable of contributing to academia and industry through original research in management and allied fields.
Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar has taken a significant step to expand doctoral research opportunities by approving the establishment of research centres and the introduction of PhD programmes in its affiliated colleges. The decision was approved by the university Syndicate with the aim of decentralising research education, strengthening academic infrastructure, and promoting a broader culture of research and innovation across the region.Previously, most doctoral research opportunities were concentrated at GNDU’s main campus, which limited access for many students due to seat constraints, travel difficulties, and limited local research facilities. Through this initiative, the university intends to make PhD education more accessible, particularly for students from rural and border districts such as Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran, enabling them to pursue advanced research closer to their home institutions.To maintain academic quality, GNDU has introduced strict eligibility criteria for affiliated colleges seeking permission to offer PhD programmes. Institutions must demonstrate the availability of qualified research supervisors, adequate laboratory and research infrastructure, NAAC accreditation, sufficient financial resources, and an active academic environment. Proposals submitted by colleges will be reviewed by the College Development Council, which will assess compliance with university norms before granting approval.The expansion is also expected to encourage interdisciplinary research collaboration and mentorship networks between experienced faculty and emerging researchers across institutions. University officials believe that increasing doctoral research opportunities within affiliated colleges will not only improve teaching quality but also enhance research output, academic innovation, and regional development. The move responds to long-standing requests from affiliated colleges seeking greater involvement in research-driven education and aligns with broader efforts to strengthen higher education and research capacity in Punjab.
Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar has introduced a new scholarship initiative for its PhD students aimed at bolstering research output and academic excellence. Under the scheme, 100 PhD scholars will receive a monthly stipend of ₹8,000, starting from July 2025. The announcement was made by Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Karamjeet Singh during a meeting of the university’s Academic Council, where the proposal was approved. To remain eligible for the scholarship, recipients must regularly publish research work - specifically, at least one research paper every four months - which the university hopes will boost its overall research publications and academic profile. The vice‑chancellor emphasized that the funds for the scholarships will be sourced independently and will not increase the financial burden on the university. Prof. Singh highlighted the importance of improving research quality and employability among graduates, noting that many students with degrees still lack the practical and industry‑aligned skills that employers seek. He underscored the university’s role in ensuring that its academic programmes prepare students not only for jobs but also to become job creators. In addition to the scholarship announcement, the Academic Council also approved updates to the course curricula, reflecting GNDU’s effort to keep academic offerings relevant to evolving industry needs and global research standards.
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