Chandigarh, Dec 28 (NationPress) In the midst of a continuous struggle for institutional autonomy and maintaining an identity deeply connected to Punjabi culture and ethos, the historic Panjab University (PU), established 143 years ago in Chandigarh, has been awarded over 200 patents. Notably, 75 percent of its graduating students are women. In 2025 alone, seven patents were published, alongside 10 granted and four filed.

Being the educational foundation for former Prime Ministers Dr. Manmohan Singh and I.K. Gujral and former President Shankar Dayal Sharma, the university's community is proud of signing a total of 225 memoranda of understanding, with 21 in 2024-25 and 15 in 2025-26. The late Dr. Manmohan Singh, who once completed his post-graduation and began teaching here, started his career as an economics professor at just 32 years old.

PU boasts an impressive list of alumni, including Olympian Neeraj Chopra, cricketer Kapil Dev, Nobel laureate Dr. Har Gobind Khorana, actors Anupam Kher and Kirron Kher, and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, whose accomplishments continue to motivate future generations.

An official from PU informed IANS that the university has surpassed 31,000 high-impact research publications, with approximately 2,400 papers published just in 2025. The university's H-index currently stands at 272. Additionally, the University Grants Commission has awarded PU the esteemed Category-I status, along with NAAC A++ accreditation, scoring 3.68 out of 4.

As a vibrant center of education deeply rooted in Punjab's culture, language, and regional aspirations, PU holds a unique position where both the central and Punjab governments provide funding, primarily from the former, with the state's contribution typically under 20 percent.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has frequently criticized the BJP-led central government for attempts to alter PU's legal and administrative status and its autonomy. Nevertheless, he asserts that such efforts will be resisted in the interest of students and their democratic rights.

Mann has emphasized that 175 colleges in the state are affiliated with this prestigious university, creating a strong emotional bond with generations of Punjabis. After Partition, PU relocated from Lahore to Hoshiarpur and ultimately to Chandigarh, Punjab's current capital.

Unlike other state universities where the Governor serves as Chancellor, the Vice-President of India holds this position at PU. In November, students protested against the Central government's attempts to restructure its governing bodies—the Senate and Syndicate—and abolish the long-standing election process for the Senate, leading to clashes and exam postponements.

Following weeks of significant protests and political pushback, the Vice President approved election dates for the Senate to be held next year. Many political parties in Punjab view this as a Central attempt to undermine PU's autonomy and a challenge to the state's rights.

The Senate consists of 91 members, with elections conducted for 49 seats. The previous Senate's term concluded in October 2024, after which the Central government attempted to eliminate the election process, a move that has since been retracted.

On October 28, the Central government issued a notification reducing the number of Senators and abolishing elections for the Graduates constituency, which selects 15 members from alumni across Punjab, Chandigarh, and neighboring states. The elections for the Senate constituencies, which protesters demanded, will now take place from September 9 to October 4, 2026.

On a brighter note, PU has a rich and illustrious history. In the NIRF Rankings 2025, PU secured the 35th position among universities and third among state public universities. The University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS) was ranked third among pharmacy institutions. According to the Centre for World University Rankings 2025, Panjab University is listed among the top 3.9 percent of universities globally, ranking 12th in India and 837th worldwide.

Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig stated that the university is committed to enhancing its academic and research profile in line with national priorities. She highlighted achievements such as 33 patents, major research grants, expansion of national and international collaborations, robust alumni support, and an impressive performance at the Khelo India 2025 events.

Located in Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, the PU campus, designed by Pierre Jeanneret under the guidance of Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, was established between 1958 and 1960. Before the reorganization of Punjab in 1966, PU had regional centers in Rohtak, Shimla, and Jalandhar, with affiliated colleges spread across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh.

After the reorganization, PU became an Inter-State Body Corporate, serving the newly formed states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab, as well as Chandigarh. As a result, colleges in Himachal and Haryana became affiliated with their respective state universities, leaving PU with colleges in Chandigarh and parts of Punjab.

The Panjab University Campus spans 550 acres across Sector 14 and Sector 25.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)