Panjab University's Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

Located in the heart of Chandigarh, Panjab University (PU) is one of the oldest universities in India, formed in 1882. PU takes pride in its beautifully designed 550-acre campus, which encompasses modern infrastructure and top-notch facilities. A group of important buildings, such as the Gandhi Bhawan, the Fine Arts Museum, the AC Joshi Library, and the Student Centre, serve as the hub of social interaction on campus. 

Students are offered a wide range of courses under the faculties of Arts, Science, Languages, Law, Education, Fine Arts, Business Management and Commerce, Engineering and Technology, Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dairying, and Animal Husbandry and Agriculture. PU follows a student-centric curriculum, striking a balance between theory and exposure. It also provides ample internship and placement opportunities.  

On the lookout, Panjab University offers a holistic learning environment to students. Though it caters to a large student body of more than 15,000 students, the faculty-student ratio has been kept optimal at 1:19. Above that, it represents a well-balanced male-to-female ratio of 51:49 and a ragging-free campus. On the flip side, students are left wanting more in terms of internships and placements. Also, the political environment on the campus can be intimidating at times!

Panjab University NIRF Ranking: Why is it Declining?

Panjab University was ranked by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) under 5 different categories in the last three years. Let’s inspect the rankings in detail. 

Overall Ranking:

University Ranking:

Engineering Ranking:

Pharmacy Ranking:

Law Ranking:

Our Take

Getting featured in five categories in the NIRF Rankings constantly for three years is a considerable achievement for Panjab University. However, a constant decline is visible in each category, which isn’t a good representation of the university across all the metrics of NIRF. These declining numbers may damage the reputation of the university among students, which is why the university should address the issue with the utmost urgency. 

Panjab University Academia & Batch Size

The academic makeup of Panjab University is a blend of theory and application. Students not only attend classroom lectures but also get a chance to put their knowledge into practice through lab sessions, projects, assignments, and internships. Some of the highlights of PU academia are: 

• Choice-Based Credit System 
• Continuous and Comprehensive evaluation 
• 75% attendance policy

Panjab University caters to around 15,000 students under one roof. It offers 259 UG, PG, and doctorate courses and 42 diploma and certificate courses under 78 departments and 10 centres for teaching and research. B.Tech, BBA, and MBA are a few popular Panjab University. courses

According to the student’s reviews, the curriculum at PU is updated and provides practical exposure to the students. However, irregularities in organising classes and co-curricular activities have been experienced by the students. 

Our Take

The curriculum at Panjab University is designed to provide holistic education to students. However, managing such a large batch size can result in overlooking students’ needs for more practical training and exposure. Also, there have been complaints regarding the regularity of classes and co-curricular activities. Without regular classes and other activities, the university's entire goal of fostering the holistic growth of its students will be defeated.

Panjab University Infrastructure

The well-designed infrastructure is the USP of Panjab University. Let’s have a look into the details. 

Classroom:

The classrooms at Panjab University are spacious and well-ventilated. As per students’ reviews, AC and projector facilities are available in all the classrooms. 

Auditorium/ Seminar Halls/ Labs:

The university has several auditoriums, seminar halls and laboratories in various departments. A huge multipurpose auditorium is under construction as per the news. 

Library:

The AC Joshi Library at PU is the centre of attraction for students. It is fully air-conditioned, well-stocked, and has a seating capacity of 500 readers. The library is open 24/7 and provides access to more than 7,500 online journals. The PU library is one of the six national document delivery centres of INFLIBNET. 

Internet:

Panjab University’s campus is Wi-Fi-enabled, providing high-speed internet access to students and staff. 

Hostel:

There are 10 hostels for female students and 8 for male students. On-campus hostel facilities are only available for females, as per students’ reviews. Also, separate hostels for working women, international students, and sports quota students are available. 

Activities:

PU conducts various extra-curricular activities, events and fests throughout the year. Regular departmental activities are organised such as seminars, workshops, and cultural programmes. Moreover, sports activities such as cricket, football, hiking-trekking, cycle tours, mountaineering and adventure camps are also organised occasionally. Apart from that, the Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) conducts several events through student clubs and committees. 

Cafe/ Hang-out:

Panjab University’s ‘Student Centre', popularly known as STUc, is the cafeteria zone of the campus. It has various cafe chains and shops such as Fresh Bites, Guru, ACME India, and Pakwan Meal as per a YouTube video. It is also the heart of Chandigarhians, where one can experience diverse crowds, chitchat, and laughter. 

Our Take:

Based on students’ feedback, some hostel buildings are old but well-maintained. All the required facilities, like laundry facilities, a recreational area, Wi-Fi, and mess facilities, are provided. However, the quality of food is average in terms of taste and nutritional value. The hostel charges are minimal, around Rs 2,000 - 5,000 for three months. Moreover, there are various hangout places near Panjab University, such as Sukhna Lake, ISKCON Temple, Rock Garden of Chandigarh, Indian Coffee House, and many more. These recreational spaces allow students to have some breathing space besides their daily university life.  

Panjab University Internships and Placements 

Panjab University Internships:

As per students on various internet forums and other sources, PU offers internship opportunities in leading companies such as Fortis, HT Media, Gemini Solutions, Kickdrum, Dario, and Mylo with stipends of around Rs 5,000 to 25,000 per month. It also provides international internships in Germany, Australia, etc. However, internship opportunities are limited in some departments. 

Panjab University Placements:

Based on the students' reviews, PU provides ample placement opportunities for the students. Check out the Panjab University placement 2022 statistics as per the NIRF 2023 report for a detailed analysis. 

PU Placement Statistics 2022:

Our Take

Panjab University is a mixed bag in terms of placement statistics. Courses like UG (5-years) and PG (1-year and 3-years) have a 100% placement rate with an average package of Rs 3 to 6 LPA. The placement rate of PU BTech and other UG (4-year) courses is also considerable. However, the placement scenario for UG (3-years), PG (2-years) and PG integrated programmes is extremely poor. At the same time, internship opportunities at the university are limited to the students of the technical professional courses. The university must focus on providing such opportunities to students of other courses to make them job-ready.  

Panjab University Diversity & Demographics

Let’s have a look at Panjab University's demographics according to the NIRF 2023 report. 

Home State Vs Other States’ Students

Male vs Female Students

Our Take

Panjab University has a diverse student body, with 33% of students hailing from Punjab and 65% of students coming from other states. However, 1.15% of international students are few in number, which adds to the student diversity. Moreover, Panjab University shows a well-balanced gender ratio, with 51% male and 49% female students. 

Panjab University Faculty/College Administration & Management

Panjab University Faculty:

Panjab University has a highly qualified and experienced faculty of nearly 971 members, as per the NIRF 2023 report. The faculty-to-student ratio is around 1:19, as per The Times Higher Education, which can be beneficial for personalised learning. Based on students’ reviews, the majority of teachers at PU are knowledgeable, easily approachable, and supportive.  

Panjab University Administration and Management:

Panjab University has a solid reputation in India due to the continuous efforts of administration and management. However, a few students have criticised the management for being disconnected from students’ needs. 

Our Take

Overall, the faculty, management, and administration of Panjab University live up to students’ expectations. However, a few changes in teaching quality and management can further improve the overall experience of students. 

Panjab University Location

Panjab University is located in Sector 14, Chandigarh, in the state of Punjab. The nearest airport is Chandigarh International Airport, at a distance of 25 km. Chandigarh Bus Terminal and Railway Station are located at a distance of 10 km.  

Panjab University: Expectation vs Reality CLD Verdict!

Panjab University, being home to a large student population, serves well in terms of infrastructure, facilities and exposure. Looking at the fee structure, which ranges from Rs 10,000 to 2,50,000, the ROI seems fine for B.Tech, UG (5-year) and PG (1-year and 3-year) courses. However, the university needs to aim for better placements, internships, and overall exposure to become the best higher education destination. 

Our Final Checklist!