Central University of Punjab

The Central University of Punjab (CUPB) was established in 2009 through an Act of Parliament, known as the Central Universities Act, 2009. It is located in Bathinda, Punjab, and has achieved NAAC accreditation with an 'A+' grade in its second cycle in 2023. The university has steadily improved its ranking in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), securing the 83rd position in the university category in 2024.

CUPB offers a wide range of courses at postgraduate and doctoral levels, as well as bachelor's degrees introduced in 2024. The postgraduate and doctoral programmes include disciplines such as sciences, technology, humanities, social sciences, law, and education. The available master's programs cover subjects like M.Sc. in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science, M.A. in English, Political Science, and History, along with M.Tech., M.Pharm., and LL.M. programs. The bachelor's degrees include B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering, B.A.-LL.B., B.Pharmacy, and integrated B.A.-B.Ed. and B.Sc.-B.Ed. courses.

The university has 31 departments and 11 schools across these fields of study and follows the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) to promote research, skill development, and entrepreneurship. The campus, located in Ghudda village, spans 500 acres and has been provisionally certified with a five-star rating by GRIHA for its environment-friendly and energy-efficient infrastructure.

CUPB also focuses on social responsibility and encourages students to participate in sports, cultural activities, and community engagement. Research is a key focus, with the university recognised for its high per capita research funding and strong faculty-to-publication and faculty-to-project ratios. CUPB strives to create a skilled workforce that is responsive to the needs of academia, industry, and society.

The Central University of Punjab (CUPB) was established in 2009 through the Central Universities Act passed by the Parliament of India. The university was one of several new central universities set up to improve access to higher education across the country. CUPB began its operations from a temporary camp office provided by the state administration in March 2009, operating from modest facilities. Later that year, the university moved to a 37-acre rented campus on Mansa Road, Bathinda, which was the site of an abandoned spinning mill. The university began with just four academic programmes and an initial batch of 10 students.

Over the following years, CUPB focused on building its academic infrastructure and expanding its offerings. The university's development took a significant step forward when it was allocated 500 acres of land in Ghudda village, Bathinda, where its main campus is now situated. The new campus was designed to be environment-friendly and energy-efficient, with a five-star rating provisionally awarded by the GRIHA Council. This new campus provided the university with the space to expand its academic, research, and community activities.

In 2013, CUPB expanded its academic programmes to include postgraduate and doctoral degrees across a wide range of disciplines such as sciences, technology, humanities, law, and social sciences. It also established 31 departments and 11 schools to support its growing academic structure. By 2015, CUPB had introduced the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), aimed at improving the flexibility of course selection for students.

In 2018, the university adopted a learning outcome-based curriculum, which focused on developing research skills, promoting entrepreneurship, and preparing students for careers in both academia and industry.

CUPB has always placed a strong emphasis on research as a key part of its mission. The university is well-known for its significant per capita research funding, as well as the impressive ratio of faculty-to-publications and faculty-to-projects. Faculty members at CUPB have received training at prestigious universities in India and abroad, which has greatly contributed to the university's reputation as a research-focused institution.

In addition to its academic and research activities, CUPB has focused on community engagement. It has implemented initiatives such as adopting villages to promote environmental awareness and maintaining a plastic-free campus. Students are encouraged to participate in sports, cultural activities, and community service, ensuring holistic development alongside academic learning.

In 2024, CUPB introduced new bachelor's degree programmes in B.Tech (Computer Science and Engineering), B.A.-LL.B., B.Pharmacy, and integrated B.A.-B.Ed. and B.Sc.-B.Ed. courses. As of 2024, the university had enrolled 1595 master’s students, 366 doctoral students, and 21 international students, creating a multicultural academic environment with students from 26 states and faculty from 19 states.

CUPB's commitment to excellence was recognised with an 'A+' grade from NAAC in 2023, and it secured the 83rd rank in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2024. With a strong emphasis on innovation, research, and community outreach, CUPB continues to strive for academic excellence and social responsibility, contributing to both regional and national development in India.

The Central University of Punjab (CUPB) offers a wide range of postgraduate, doctoral, and bachelor’s degree programmes across various disciplines. These courses are designed to provide students with a strong academic foundation, research opportunities, and skills needed for their professional careers.

Postgraduate Programmes
CUPB offers several Master of Science (M.Sc.) programmes in the sciences, focusing on specialised areas such as Life Sciences (with specialisations in Animal Sciences, Biochemistry, Microbial Sciences, Bioinformatics, Human Genetics, and Plant Sciences), Chemical Sciences (with specialisations in Organic, Inorganic, Physical, and Computational Chemistry), Physics (with a focus on Computational Physics), Mathematics, Statistics, and Environmental Science and Technology.

In the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the university offers M.Pharm. programmes with a specialisation in Medicinal Chemistry. These programmes are designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in their respective fields, preparing them for research and industry roles.

For those interested in humanities and social sciences, CUPB offers Master of Arts (M.A.) programmes in English (Comparative Literature and Translation), Punjabi, History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, and Geography. The university also provides M.Ed. and LL.M. programmes, with LL.M. specialisations in Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, and Corporate Law.

Bachelor’s Degree Programmes
In 2024, CUPB introduced bachelor’s programmes to its academic offerings. These include B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), which focuses on equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed in the technology sector. The B.A.-LL.B. programme offers a comprehensive five-year course that combines the study of arts and law, preparing students for careers in legal practice.

The B.Pharmacy programme is designed to teach students the science and practice of pharmacy, preparing them for roles in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. CUPB also offers integrated courses such as B.A.-B.Ed. and B.Sc.-B.Ed., which are aimed at students who wish to pursue careers in education. These integrated programmes combine undergraduate study with teacher training, allowing students to obtain both a bachelor’s degree and a teaching qualification in a streamlined manner.

Doctoral Programmes
CUPB is well-known for its Ph.D. programmes across various disciplines. The university offers Ph.D. courses in Plant Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences, Computational Sciences, Environmental Science and Technology, and Human Genetics, among others. These programmes focus heavily on research and are ideal for students interested in pursuing careers in academia or specialised research roles in industry.

Research and Skills Development
The university follows the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS), which allows students the flexibility to choose courses based on their interests and career goals. CUPB's curriculum is outcome-based and places a strong emphasis on research, skill development, and entrepreneurship. The university encourages interdisciplinary learning and promotes an environment where students can explore different fields of study and apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Here are the global rankings of the Central University of Punjab:

• NIRF 2023: Ranked 100th overall and 19th in the 'Pharmacy' category in India.
• Researchgate and Scopus: Ranked number one among newly established central universities in India since 2012.
• NAAC: Accredited with an 'A+' grade in 2023.
• QS Sustainability Ranking 2024: Ranked 1201+ globally.

The job integration rate at the Central University of Punjab (CUPB) varies across different programmes. In BTech (CSE), around 30–35% of students were placed with an average package of INR 3–5 LPA. For MTech (CSE), 70–90% of students secured placements, with the average package at INR 8 LPA, the highest being INR 24 LPA. During PG 2-year placements in 2023, the median package was INR 4 LPA, and for LLM, it was INR 6 LPA. The Pharmacy department saw a median package of INR 3.47 LPA. 

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