PDEU (PDPU) Review & Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glance

Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), formerly known as Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU), was established in April 2007 under the auspices of the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute. It offers a diverse range of academic programs, including B.Tech in Biotechnology, M.Tech in Artificial Intelligence, B.Sc. Honours, and B.Com. PDPU courses are designed to cater to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the fields of Science, Technology, Humanities, and Management. The university has several schools, such as the School of Petroleum Management, the School of Petroleum Technology, the School of Technology, and the School of Liberal Studies.

Since its inception, PDPU (PDEU) has garnered recognition from both the UGC (University Grants Commission) and SIRO (Scientific and Industrial Research Organization). The institution boasts cutting-edge infrastructure and consistently offers outstanding placement prospects for its students. Notably, the School of Technology has recorded the highest placement package at INR 25 LPA. Furthermore, over the past four years, the School of Petroleum Management has achieved a remarkable 100% placement rate in both of its MBA programs.

The institution's offerings, faculty, and resources may align well with some students' needs, while others might find themselves navigating certain challenges. The college's faculty exhibits a divide in student opinion. Approximately half are criticized for ego and teaching issues, while the remainder are highly regarded as both educators and individuals. Visiting faculty members, who possess industry expertise, contribute positively to the learning experience. However, concerns about arbitrary grading persist, prompting student adaptation, while faculty rotation addresses resource shortages. CollegeDekho has performed a fair assessment of PDPU, offering potential students valuable insights to help them decide if it's a suitable choice for them or not.

PDEU (PDPU) NIRF Rankings: No Significant Improvement!

In 2023, PDPU's overall ranking by NIRF stands at 151 among 200 colleges in India, whereas in 2022, it was at 101st position among the same number of colleges. PDPU B.Tech ranking by NIRF is 101 out of 200 colleges in India for 2023, whereas in 2022, it was ranked 106 out of 300 colleges in India.

Other Rankings:

• PDPU improved its overall Outlook ranking from 8th to 5th in 2022. Its MBA program also improved, ranking 18th in 2023, up from 24th in 2021.
• PDPU is at 43rd position among 171 Indian colleges in IIRF 2023. In 2022, it ranked at 33rd place.
• PDPU's National Institutional Ranking Framework for Innovation ranking in 2023 is 51 out of 312 colleges, compared to its 2020 ranking of 6 out of 50 colleges in India.

Our Take:

PDPU has displayed a mixed performance in various national rankings. In the NIRF rankings, the university's overall position shifted from 101st in 2022 to 151st in 2023. Similarly, its B.Tech program ranking went from 106th in 2022 to 101st in 2023. Although some minor fluctuations have been recorded over the years, there has not been any significant change or improvement in rank.

PDPU Academia & Batch Size

PDEU or PDPU claims to have a diverse array of schools, each offering unique academic programs to cater to a wide range of educational and career aspirations. The School of Petroleum Management specializes in energy and infrastructure management, while the School of Petroleum Technology focuses on creating a talent pool for the Hydrocarbon sector. The School of Technology provides a broad spectrum of engineering programs, from Civil to Nuclear & Solar Engineering while the School of Liberal Studies offers liberal arts and social science programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

PDPU's educational approach stands out due to its practical orientation and strong industry connections. Internships in rural and industrial settings enhance students' understanding of real-world challenges. The university emphasizes holistic engineering for long-term community sustainability.

Batch-Wise Breakdown of B.Tech course at PDEU (PDPU)

PDPU celebrates diversity with an international student and faculty community. It hosts events like ‘One World’ to showcase global cultures, traditions, and education practices. The university actively organizes international programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures to foster global collaborations for students and faculty.

Our Take:

As observed by both current students and alumni, Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) has expanded its cultural and technical activities and has evolved into a thriving campus with a strong sports culture and vibrant events like the Petro Cup. It fosters a friendly and diverse community and celebrates the local festivals enthusiastically. Gaming and teaching standards are commendable. The college has 50% ACPC, 35% All India and 15% NRI seats. In summary, based on the observations of both current students and alumni, on a scale of 10, PDPU earns a solid 7 for its overall diversity, experience and potential.

PDEU (PDPU) Infrastructure

Pandit Deendayal Energy University's sprawling 100-acre campus is situated in Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat. It is located 23 kilometers to the North of the bustling city of Ahmedabad, which has a population of 8 million people. Here are some details about PDPU infrastructure:

• Library: The Library and Information Centre (LIC) serves as the intellectual hub of the institute, aiming to disseminate knowledge and information. Leveraging Information Technology, it ensures resource accessibility at all times. Services like online availability checking, reservation, biometric access, and remote access to e-resources make the LIC user-friendly. The library houses an extensive collection of both printed and electronic resources, including books, journals, databases, CDs/DVDs, e-journals, reports, case studies, conference proceedings, and training manuals.
• Hostel: The on-campus, fully-furnished residential PDPU hostel facility enhances the flexibility for academic and extracurricular activities. Separate accommodations are available for female and male students.  
• Wellness Centre: PDPU has established a state-of-the-art wellness center offering cardio and weight training equipment. It operates under the guidance of a certified trainer, accommodating over 50 students per session throughout the day. Outdoor sports facilities for football, cricket, basketball, volleyball, and badminton are also available.
• Security: 24-hour security controls access to the hostel areas, with a special focus on ensuring privacy and safety for female students.
• Furnished Rooms: Residence hall rooms are well-furnished, featuring both movable and built-in furniture, including beds, desks, and chairs.
• Open Lounges: Each residence hall offers ample lounges for studying, relaxation, and socializing. Ground floors have television facilities for leisure.
• Wired Rooms: Every room in the residence halls has two Ethernet ports connected to the campus network and the Internet. Students are responsible for bringing their own computers.
• Laundry: Laundry services are available at the hostel, allowing students to manage their own schedules and pay according to price lists.
• Fitness Facility: The university provides a wellness center for fitness, available for a fee. Access is during specified hours.
• Roommate Matching: Roommate assignments are initially made by the university, with students later given one opportunity to select their own roommates based on personal habits and preferences. The process aims to match students with similar interests and habits.

Our Take:

Pandit Deendayal Energy University's expansive campus in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, offers a comprehensive variety of resources and amenities. The well-equipped Library and Information Centre, on-campus furnished hostels, and state-of-the-art Wellness Centre underscore the institution's commitment to student welfare. Robust security measures, wired rooms, and roommate matching options enhance the student experience, while laundry facilities and fitness centers further contribute to a holistic living and learning environment. All in all, on the infrastructure front, students seem to not have a lot of complaints.

PDEU (PDPU) Internships & Placements

PDPU is dedicated to enhancing its placement landscape while upholding its strong placement record. The university aspires to achieve consistent growth in annual placements. Below, you will find an overview of PDPU placement highlights:

Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University Placement Cell:

PDPU's placement initiatives are managed by a well-structured team, led by coordinators. At the university level, a director oversees the functioning of the placement cell. The PDPU placement cell fosters a proactive and constructive approach among students. Through extracurricular activities and mock exams, students receive training for upcoming placement procedures. The cell works diligently to provide deserving candidates with excellent employment opportunities.

Top Recruiters at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University

Here is a list of some of the top recruiters at PDPU:

Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University Placement Statistics

Below are the placement statistics for different PDEU (PDPU) schools for the year 2022-2023:

Our Take:

PDEU (PDPU) maintains its stellar placement record with a strong commitment to growth. Achieving a 100% placement rate, PDEU or PDPU's highest package has reached an impressive 38 LPA, while the average package stands at 6.5 LPA. Having said that, some students have found the competition for these opportunities quite intense, potentially leading to added pressure during the placement process. Also, due to the downturn in the oil and gas market, companies have reduced their campus visits, a situation common to universities like UPES and others as well.

PDPU Management/Administration

PDEU or PDPU holds recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Moreover, it has received an exceptional Grade A++ accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. In October 2022, Minister of Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar, announced a significant milestone for PDPU. The University Grants Commission (India) granted autonomy to PDPU, a distinction bestowed on only two private universities in India, making PDPU the first college in Gujarat to achieve this status. This autonomy grants the university the freedom to introduce new courses, establish off-campus centers, offer skill development programs, establish research parks, and initiate other academic initiatives. It also enables PDPU to engage foreign faculty, admit international students, implement incentive-based faculty emoluments, foster academic collaborations, and administer open distance learning programs.

Our Take:

PDPU, recognized by the UGC and AIU with Grade A++ NAAC accreditation, achieved UGC-granted autonomy, a rarity among private Indian universities. According to the students, some of the PDPU faculty members are exceptional, while others are not so good. Notably, there have also been a few concerns about inadequate support from some Heads of Departments (HODs).

PDEU (PDPU) Location 

Situated in the Knowledge Corridor near GIFT City, the university is found in Raysan village within Gandhinagar city. It is conveniently located just 8 km from Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, and 23 km from Ahmedabad, the state's largest city.

Gandhinagar, Gujarat's capital, lies on the Sabarmati River's west bank, 30 km northeast of Ahmedabad. It's a well-planned city divided into 30 sectors with ample green spaces, parks, and a riverfront recreational area, creating a lush, garden-city ambience. The area is known for housing prestigious institutions like IIM, NID, ISRO, PRL, IPR, and EDI.

PDEU (PDPU): Expectation vs Reality CLD Verdict

Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), also known as Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) offers a vivid range of academic programs, aiming to produce skilled professionals in various fields. Although, over the years, the rankings have not seen major improvements, PDPU still maintains a decent standing, particularly in Gujarat. PDPU provides practical education with industry connections and fosters diversity and international collaboration.

Located in Gandhinagar, a well-planned city, PDPU campus offers impressive infrastructure, including a well-equipped library, furnished hostels, and a modern wellness center. The placement record is strong, with a 100% placement rate in certain programs and a high average package. However, as per students’ opinion the competition for opportunities can be quite intense.

Overall, PDPU displays several strengths, but there are noteworthy downsides to consider. While some faculty members excel, others face criticism for their below average teaching quality. Additionally, support from Heads of Departments (HODs) may be inconsistent, affecting students' experiences. The placement season can be a bit intense, particularly given market conditions. Here is our final verdict on PDPU: