GNDU Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Guru Nanak Dev University, located in Amritsar and founded on November 24, 1969, was established to commemorate the 500th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh guru. Currently accommodating a student body exceeding 20,000, the university offers a diverse array of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. Additionally, it hosts numerous research centres and institutes, including but not limited to the National Institute of Punjabi Language, Literature and Culture, the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, and the Indian Institute of Public Administration.

The vision for the university, as outlined in the GNDU Act of 1969, underscores the importance of providing education and fostering research in various domains, encompassing humanities, learned professions, applied sciences, and technology. This mission aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in their respective fields. Furthermore, the university is committed to promoting the Punjabi language and extending education to underserved and educationally constrained communities. GNDU proudly asserts that, within a relatively brief span, it has carved out a distinct and esteemed position for itself within the country. 

Despite the many positive claims and values of GNDU, there are some hidden issues that should be brought to light so that prospective students can make informed decisions about their future. One such issue is the case of Harpreet Kaur, a PhD student from the Law department, who was reportedly slapped by a security guard while entering the university campus on her scooter. This incident raises serious concerns about the safety and security of students both on and off campus. It is important to note that this is just one example of the many issues that have been raised by students at GNDU. 

While GNDU is a large and complex university with many positive aspects, it is important to address the criticisms that have been raised by students in a constructive manner. Hence, here’s our candid review and verdict on GNDU. 

GNDU Rankings: Beacon of Academic Excellence 

The following table shows the NIRF University rankings of Guru Nanak Dev University over the past 3 years:

In addition to the rankings mentioned earlier, GNDU boasts several other acknowledgements that enhance its reputation among students and within society:

• GNDU holds a remarkable accreditation, securing a CGPA of 3.85 on a 4-point scale at the esteemed "A++" grade, the highest level recognized by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). 

• GNDU has been honoured with the prestigious status of "University with Potential for Excellence" by UGC (University Grants Commission).

• The university stands proudly as one of the top ten "High Performing State Public Universities" in India, recognized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

• GNDU also holds a distinguished position among the top 10 State Public Universities in India. 

• The university is ranked among the top 9% of universities globally by the Centre for World University Ranking (CWUR).

• GNDU is prominently featured as one of the top 4 institutions in Punjab and among the top 10 institutions in North India according to the Nature Index.

Our Take:

Having considered the consistent honours and rankings garnered by Guru Nanak Dev University, it is evident that the university truly shines as a symbol of academic prowess in both Amritsar and the entire nation. The fact that GNDU is ranked among the top 50 universities in India in the NIRF rankings for 2022 and 2023 implies that it is a highly valued university with an excellent reputation for teaching, learning, research, and professional practice. Beyond its academic endeavours, the university passionately delves into the study and understanding of Guru Nanak's life and teachings, embodying a holistic approach to education and enlightenment.

GNDU Academia & Batch Size

GNDU is a thriving university with over 20,000 students enrolled in a wide range of programs across its campuses and constituent colleges.

Courses Offered 

GNDU courses are offered at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral level, such as MD, M.Phil, MSc, M.Tech, MA, MBA, B.Tech, BSc, PG Diploma, etc in a variety of disciplines or fields of study as mentioned below:

• Arts
• Commerce
• Science
• Engineering
• Technology
• Education
• Law
• Medicine
• Pharmacy
• Agriculture
• Veterinary Sciences
• Sports Sciences
• Fine Arts
• Music

Aside from this, GNDU is also noted for its interdisciplinary programmes, which mix two or more disciplines to provide students with a more comprehensive and complete education. The university, for example, offers a Bachelor of Arts programme in English and Economics, a Master of Science programme in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, and a Doctor of Philosophy programme in Environmental Sciences.

Our Take:

Guru Nanak Dev University's programs hold prestigious accreditation from the NAAC, the foremost accrediting body for higher education in India. This endorsement underscores the institution's commitment to maintaining elevated levels of quality and academic excellence. On the whole and as per our research, we have formed an opinion that the student community at GNDU expresses a diverse range of opinions regarding the programs and courses offered. Some students express contentment with the high quality of education and the abundant opportunities that GNDU offers. However, there are others who voice concerns about inadequate placement prospects and perceive certain programs to have outdated curricula.

Departments, Centres, and Schools

Starting from a modest space within the adjacent Khalsa College, Guru Nanak Dev University has come a long way. Presently, it proudly houses 14 faculties and 35 academic departments at the University Campus and maintains affiliations with 148 colleges and 71 Associate Institutes. Many of these are located in rural areas, however, it's essential to note that a significant portion of the rural population still lacks access to these educational resources. 

These are as follows:

• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • History
  • Library And Information Science
  • Department Of Mass Communication
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • School of Social Sciences
  • Sociology
• Faculty of Economics and Business
  •  University School Of Financial Studies
  •  Punjab School Of Economics
  •  University Business School
  •  Hotel Management And Tourism
• Faculty of Engineering and Technology
  • Computer Science
  • Computer Engineering & Technology
  • Electronics Technology
  • Civil Engineering 
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Department Of Computational Statistics And Data Analytics
• Faculty of Life Sciences 
  •  Biotechnology
  •  Botanical & Environmental Sciences
  •  Human Genetics
  •  Microbiology
  •  Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
  •  Pharmaceutical Sciences
  •  Zoology
• Faculty of Languages 
  •  English
  •  Foreign Languages
  •  Hindi
  •  School Of Punjabi Studies
  •  Sanskrit, Pali & Prakrit
  •  Urdu And Persian
• Faculty of Sciences 
  •  Apparel And Textile Technology
  •  Chemistry
  •  Food Science & Technology
  •  Mathematics
  •  Physics
• Faculty of Laws
• Faculty of Physical Education 
• Faculties of Humanities and Religious Studies 
• Faculty of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy
  • Department Of Physiotherapy
  • MYAS GNDU Department Of Sports Sciences & Medicine
• Faculty of Visual Arts and Performing Arts
• Faculty of Physical Planning and Architecture 
  • Architecture
  • Guru Ram Dass School of Planning
• Faculty of Education 
• Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
  • Department Of Agriculture

Our Take:

GNDU offers a wide variety of study options through its different departments. These include fields like arts, commerce, science, engineering, technology, education, law, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, veterinary sciences, sports sciences, fine arts, and music. This diversity in programs means that students can pick a subject that suits their interests and career aspirations. It also shows that the university values blending different areas of study to give students a well-rounded education. However, it is important to note that students have varying opinions about their departments. Some are happy with the quality of education and opportunities they get, while others might be dissatisfied due to limited resources, outdated course materials, or bureaucratic processes.

Batch Size 

At GNDU, the number of students in a classroom can vary based on the specific program and academic level. Generally, the batch sizes at GNDU tend to be on the larger side, particularly for undergraduate courses.

Our Take:

Students hold differing views on the ideal batch size. For some, larger batches are preferred as they see it as a chance for increased interaction with peers and faculty. On the other hand, some students favour smaller batch sizes, as they believe it enables more personalized attention from faculty and cultivates a more collaborative and engaging learning atmosphere.

GNDU Infrastructure

Covering an expansive 500-acre area to the west of the city, Guru Nanak Dev University showcases a modern architectural landscape. The use of traditional red brick in geometrically designed structures reflects the institution's reverence for timeless principles while emphasizing its dedication to scientific progress.

• Hostel: GNDU provides spacious and clean rooms for boys in three hostels and well-ventilated and roomy accommodations for girls in four separate hostels. All hostels are equipped with essential facilities to meet the needs of the residents, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant stay for all students.

• Medical/Hospital: GNDU in Amritsar houses a medical centre, offering essential first-aid services to students, staff, and faculty members.

• Gym: The university features a versatile campus gymnasium. Complete with modern amenities such as wooden flooring and the latest cardio and weight training equipment, it provides students with an excellent facility to enhance their physical fitness.

• Library: The Bhai Gurdas Library at Guru Nanak Dev University was founded in March 1970. It houses an extensive collection of books, periodicals, and both national and international journals, catering to the academic needs of students and faculty members. Additionally, the library is equipped with a computerized section that allows students to access e-journals and e-books for further academic exploration.

• Sports: The university boasts an extensive 30-acre playground, providing ample space for various sports and activities. The university's Physical Education Department actively organizes tournaments at regular intervals. In order to prepare students for these competitions, the university employs 12 full-time coaches dedicated to training and guidance. Notably, the university has achieved a remarkable feat by clinching India's prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, recognizing it as the overall best university an impressive 16 times.

• IT Infrastructure and Wifi: The university is equipped with a computer centre featuring high-speed internet connectivity. This facility enables students to conveniently complete application and examination forms. Moreover, it provides an avenue for practical experience, enhancing the overall learning journey. Additionally, the entire campus is covered with accessible WiFi, ensuring connectivity in all parts of the campus for students.

• Cafeteria: The university's cafeteria provides students with hygienic and nutritious food options at reasonable and budget-friendly prices, ensuring a good dining experience.

• Auditorium: The university in Amritsar is equipped with a contemporary auditorium on its campus, serving as a venue for various cultural and academic events.

• Guest Room/Waiting Room: The university's guest house is elegantly furnished and serves as accommodation for visiting parents or relatives of students who come to meet their loved ones residing in the hostels.

• Parking Facility: The university provides designated parking areas for both students and faculty members, ensuring ample space for their vehicles. Separate parking spaces are allocated for each entrance, enhancing convenience and organization.

• Laboratories: At GNDU, specialized laboratories are available based on different departments. These dedicated laboratories offer students a conducive space to conduct practicals and experiments right on the campus.

Our Take:

As we have seen above, GNDU offers an inviting environment for both students and faculty, with a range of infrastructure facilities. The university boasts a library, separate hostels for boys and girls, a gym, sports facilities, and a modern auditorium. The on-campus cafeteria serves delectable meals, and there's a medical centre providing essential healthcare services. Additionally, GNDU is equipped with WiFi, robust IT infrastructure, well-equipped laboratories, ample parking space, and a guest house to accommodate visitors. 

Overall, the infrastructure facilities tell us that GNDU is a well-established and well-funded university. Some students have expressed their concerns on social media, indicating dissatisfaction with the maintenance of certain hostels at GNDU. They highlight issues such as inconsistent cleanliness in the rooms and outdated, damaged furniture.

GNDU Placements and Internships 

• Placements: Guru Nanak Dev University's placement report for 2023 is out, and it's good news for students! The highest package offered was INR 17.40 LPA, and the average package was INR 6.17 LPA. A total of 748 students were placed, including 164 who were placed in TCS Ninja. Top companies like Infosys, TCS Digital, Accenture, and Capgemini visited the campus during the placement drive. The table below depicts the average and the highest package offered in the last three years during the GNDU placement cycle:

Our Take:

Comparing the campus placements of 2023 to 2022 at GNDU, we can observe a notable drop of 60% has been recorded in the highest package offered. Conversely, there has been a modest increase of 3% in the average package offered for placements in 2023 as opposed to the previous year. While the average package at GNDU has shown a consistent upward trajectory over the last three years, the highest package has displayed a fluctuating pattern during the same period. In 2021, it stood at INR 18 LPA, rose significantly to INR 44 LPA in 2022, and then slightly decreased to INR 17.40 LPA in 2023.

• Internships: GNDU assists students in finding student internships. The institution features a career centre that offers students a number of tools and services to assist them in finding internships, such as:
  • Access to a job board with internship posts from various firms.
  • Help in writing resumes and cover letters
  • Interview preparation for internships
  • Possibilities for networking with future employers

In addition to job placements, students were also offered six-month internships with the highest stipend of as good as INR 80,000 per month.

Our Take:

The university has formed connections with a variety of companies, which provide internship opportunities for GNDU students. However, student evaluation of GNDU internships is diverse. Some students have had positive experiences, noting the career centre's assistance in obtaining outstanding internships. On the other hand, some students have voiced disappointment, citing difficulties in locating acceptable internships through the university and viewing the career centre as ineffective.

GNDU Diversity & Demographics

Let's delve into a detailed analysis of gender participation and demographics across various courses at GNDU Amritsar, aiding prospective students in making well-informed decisions:

Course Wise Gender Participation as per NIRF 2023 

Course Wise Demographic Representation as per NIRF 2023 

Our Take: An analysis of Course Wise Gender Participation and Demographic Representation based on NIRF 2023 reveals that Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar is committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity. The notable representation of female students across various academic levels signifies GNDU's encouraging and supportive atmosphere for women. Moreover, the substantial enrollment of students from within the state underscores the university's accessibility to a broad spectrum of students, regardless of their backgrounds or origins, within Punjab. However, it is worth noting that a sizable proportion of GNDU students come from outside the state. This shows that GNDU is recruiting students from all around India.

GNDU College Administration

The administration at Guru Nanak Dev University is headed by the Vice-Chancellor, who is the chief academic and administrative officer of the university. The Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the Governor of Punjab on the recommendation of a selection committee. A number of pro-vice-chancellors, deans, and directors support the Vice-Chancellor. Academic affairs, research, and student welfare are the responsibility of the pro-vice-chancellors. The deans are in charge of the several faculties, such as the Arts Faculty, Science Faculty, and Engineering Faculty. The directors are in charge of several administrative entities, such as the Directorates of Admissions and Examinations.

Our Take:

Based on our research and findings, we can state that GNDU is quite proud to state that their faculty and administration members have secured prestigious projects from top-tier organizations such as the Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and various other esteemed organizations, amounting to significant financial investments. 

Having said that, the administrative efficiency at GNDU has faced criticism for being bureaucratic and sluggish. Students and faculty have voiced challenges in navigating university processes. Nevertheless, the administration is actively addressing these concerns by streamlining procedures and introducing online assistance to enhance efficiency and comfort.

GNDU Amritsar Location

Guru Nanak Dev University is a sprawling 500-acre campus near the town of Kot Khalsa, around 8 km from Amritsar. The campus is bordered on one side by the Amritsar-Lahore motorway and on the other by Khalsa College, Amritsar. The campus is home to around 20,000 students from all across India and the world. The GNDU campus is a lovely and active environment with a lot to offer its students. It is a place where kids may study, grow, and prosper. Here are the pros and cons of the location of GNDU:

Pros: 

• Near Amritsar City: GNDU is around 8 km from Amritsar, a significant transit centre in Punjab. This makes it simple for students to go to and from school.
• Convenient Access: GNDU is in a well-settled area with easy access to important things like banks, places to eat, stores, and hospitals.
• Calm and Green Surroundings: GNDU is set in a peaceful, green place, perfect for studying and doing research.

Cons: 

• Distance from the City Center: GNDU is approximately 8 km away from the heart of Amritsar city. This might pose a little challenge for students who frequently need to travel to the city.
• Traffic Jams: The Amritsar-Lahore highway, close to the GNDU campus, often gets crowded. This can make commuting to and from the campus tough for students.
• Living expenses: Living in Amritsar can be a bit expensive compared to some other places in Punjab. For students from families with lower incomes, this can be difficult to manage.

Our Take:

The advantages of being near Amritsar City while studying at GNDU, having convenient access to amenities, and enjoying a peaceful, green environment are notable. Nevertheless, the distance from the city centre, traffic congestion, and the elevated cost of living may pose challenges for certain students.

GNDU Amritsar: Expectation vs Reality Verdict!

Till now, we have learnt that Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) is a public university located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in a variety of fields, including arts, commerce, science, education, engineering, and technology. GNDU claims to provide its students with a high-quality education in a supportive and enriching environment, with a focus on teaching, research, and innovation. Students appreciate GNDU's qualified faculty, well-equipped facilities, and strong academic programs. They also value the university's commitment to providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields.

However, the reality presents a nuanced perspective. The campus location is peaceful and green, as promised. The courses are diverse and comprehensive, as claimed. However, the infrastructure facilities and maintenance may fall short, impacting the overall experience. Placements and internships vary, with some students satisfied while others face challenges. The opportunities and the university's vision seem promising, but consistent execution is needed to meet the advertised standards. The faculty's expertise is acknowledged, but there may be discrepancies in their availability and engagement.

Final Verdict: In general, GNDU shows promise and satisfies certain expectations. Bridging the gap between envisioned promises and real experiences, on the other hand, might improve students' whole academic journey. When contemplating studying at GNDU, students should weigh their personal needs and desires. For those seeking a cosmopolitan ambience teeming with abundant job prospects and amenities, opting for a university situated in a larger city might align better with their aspirations.

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