Announcing the move, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Karamjeet Singh said GNDU approves Punjabi-first policy to reconnect universities with society. He stressed that knowledge should reach people in a language they understand easily. Therefore, the university will now encourage stronger links between research and the wider community.

Under the new policy, GNDU will require PhD theses, dissertations, and funded research to be submitted in both English and Punjabi (Gurmukhi). As a result, academic work will remain globally accessible while becoming locally meaningful. Importantly, the university will assess Punjabi submissions for clarity and accuracy without penalising stylistic differences.

Moreover, the policy will benefit students from rural, border, and first-generation backgrounds. Research in agriculture, health, education, environment, and entrepreneurship will also reach a broader audience across Punjab.

To support implementation, GNDU will develop Punjabi academic glossaries, writing guides, and a dedicated Academic Support Unit. In addition, a bilingual digital research repository will improve access to knowledge.

The policy will roll out in phases over three years. It aligns closely with the National Education Policy 2020. From the next academic session, GNDU will reaffirm its commitment to inclusion, culture, and academic excellence.

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A major concern is the sharp fall in enrolment at higher levels. According to the Unified Information System for Education Plus 2024–25, enrolment stands at 82.2% in primary, 35.8% in higher secondary and only 28.4% in higher education. The National Education Policy aims for a 50% enrolment rate by 2035, but the goal remains far away. Low investment, financial gaps in universities and limited seats are restricting students.

Challenges persist from school to university. Schools face staff shortages and poor facilities, while secondary education struggles with outdated syllabi and skill gaps. Universities face reduced funding, vacant faculty posts and weak research output. Private universities offer better facilities, but high fees exclude most students, widening the inequality.

India’s job market demands skills in AI, biotechnology and digital fields, but the current system still encourages rote learning. Strong research investment, modern courses and skill-based programs are needed. States must design their own policy documents under NEP to ensure equal opportunities for every student.

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Fadnavis urged universities to raise academic quality, strengthen research, and improve competitiveness at national and global levels. He asked institutions to create a time-bound action plan that highlights gaps in teaching, research output, and infrastructure. To track progress, the government will build a digital dashboard that monitors each university’s performance.

“The government will provide tools needed for assessment and improvement,” Fadnavis said. He stressed the need for strong industry partnerships, internships, and apprenticeship programmes to enhance student employability.

The meeting also detailed a long-term strategy to improve the Maharashtra NIRF ranking of public universities up to 2047. Additional Chief Secretary B. Venugopal Reddy presented the roadmap, which focuses on turning Maharashtra into a global education hub.

Officials discussed ways to stop the outflow of students to foreign universities and attract NRI and international students instead. The plan includes promoting high-technology research, increasing patent development, and aligning courses with future skill demands.

Fadnavis highlighted that private universities are growing faster, and public universities must step up to stay competitive. He said the government wants public institutions to “excel beyond private counterparts” by improving quality and innovation.

The reforms aim to transform the state’s education ecosystem, boost global collaborations, and strengthen academic excellence. Maharashtra hopes to build a skilled workforce and position itself as a preferred global study destination by 2047.

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