Sikkim University's Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

Nestled in the picturesque Gangtok Valley of the Himalayas, Sikkim University offers its students a unique and enriching educational experience. It was established in 2007 as a central university, fully funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Currently, it offers 65 courses at certificate, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Some of its popular courses are BA, B.Sc, B.Ed, MA, M.Sc, M.Ed, MLIS and PhD.  

Sikkim University is the only central university in Sikkim. It has a vibrant student body with a balanced ratio of inter-intra-state students of 5:5. The university outshines its outstanding gender representation of 6:4 (female to male). Moreover, it is home to experienced and dedicated faculty enriching students with relevant curriculum, research and exposure opportunities. 

Like every rose has its thorns! Sikkim University also has its own set of issues and weaknesses. Chief among them is the absence of a permanent campus, posing various inconveniences for students. As per India Today, the Sikkim University Students’ Association (SUSA) protested on May 10, 2023, pressing needs, including photocopy machines, sanitary pads vending units, coaching for UGC/NET exams, transportation services, extended library hours, improved infrastructure, and enhanced sports facilities. The Vice Chancellor acknowledged these demands, attributing the delays to the absence of a permanent campus. Other issues comprise low internship and placement rates which have raised concerns among the students of Sikkim University. 

Let’s delve into this full article for a detailed exploration of Sikkim University’s strengths and challenges to gain a comprehensive understanding. 

Sikkim University NIRF Ranking: Among the top 200!

Sikkim University has achieved a significant ranking of 151-200 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023, published by the Ministry of Education, Gov. of India. Let us compare the Sikkim University NIRF Ranking 2023 with previous years for better analysis. 

Our Take:

Sikkim University has been ranked among the top 200 universities in India by NIRF. It had a constant ranking in the band of 151-200 from 2022 to 2023. However, a decline in the ranking can be seen in 2022 from 2021. These ups and downs can be a sign of the university’s effort towards development. While the constant position of Sikkim University is considerable, it can put further effort into enhancing its ranking. 

Sikkim University Academia & Batch Size

Sikkim University offers a variety of UG, PG and PhD courses under the 6 schools of study and 33 departments mentioned below: 

Sikkim University also has two research centres, the Maulana Azad Centre for Northeast Studies and the Centre for Bio-Informatics to promote research culture at the campus. Moreover, the university has implemented NEP 2020 and follows CBCS for assessment and grading system for evaluation. 

According to our study, students and alumni of Sikkim University have shared positive feedback regarding the relevant curriculum of Sikkim University. However, due to the dearth of internships, the curriculum doesn’t make students industry-ready. 

Sikkim University Batch Size

Our Take:

As we can see, Sikkim University provides a wide range of courses in disciplines such as arts, science, social science, management, and commerce. These Sikkim University courses are a blend of traditional and non-traditional programmes, covering a wide variety of specialisations.

Moreover, the curriculum of the university is relevant, updated and focused towards theoretical and practical aspects of teaching and learning. Also, students are provided opportunities to work on research projects under the guidance of experienced professors. However, the university should initiate collaborations with industries and companies to provide sufficient hands-on experience. 

Sikkim University Infrastructure

Sikkim University is currently operating from different buildings spread across 17 km along the National Highway 10. Though it provides students with necessary facilities but lacks several amenities as demanded by students. However, a permanent campus is being built at Yangang in South Sikkim which will incorporate all the required infrastructure and facilities. Till then, let us know more about the present campus of Sikkim University. 

Hostel: Sikkim University provides hostel facilities to male and female students. There are 5 boys' hostels and 6 girls’ hostels available that can accommodate around 400 students. The hostel facility is mainly available for outstation students. As per students on Quora and other sources, the university has good hostels with all the necessary facilities. 

Auditorium/ Seminar Halls: The university has 2 seminar halls with a seating capacity of 150+ and 60 people respectively.  The halls are used for conducting training, seminars, workshops and activities.  

Library: Sikkim University has a central University known as Teesta-Indus Central Library. It has a wide collection of about 50K books and e-reading materials. Innovative library services such as DSpace, KOHA, IRINS, and remote access are also available. 

Internet: Wi-Fi service is available across the campus for students and staff members. Sikkim University students have confirmed the presence of internet facilities on several platforms. 

Gymnasium: The university gym is equipped with the latest equipment and remains open 6 days a week. A monthly fee of INR 150 is charged to students who wish to visit the gymnasium. 

Activities: Sikkim University hosts many events throughout the year, organised by student associations and faculty. These events include cultural events, sports events, seminars, workshops, competitions, conferences and fests. One such popular annual fest is ‘Ramailo SU-khim’ where students come together and participate in various social, cultural, sports and academic events. 

Cafe: The university has a canteen on the campus but students don’t seem happy with its location. SUSA has demanded a centralised and subsidised canteen in the central library campus for easy accessibility. 

Our Take:

Sikkim University infrastructure is well-maintained and provides basic facilities such as hostels, seminar halls, internet, library, sports facilities and canteen. However, Sikkim University Student Association (SUSA) has demanded an upgrade in the infrastructure and facilities for the smooth running of the university. Sikkim University’s VC agreed to all the demands of SUSA and promised to implement the changes as soon as possible. However, he added that most of the issues are due to the absence of the permanent campus which is expected to be developed soon. 

Sikkim University Internships and Placements 

Sikkim University Internships

Students enrolled in degree courses at Sikkim University are required to undergo compulsory internships to familiarise themselves with an actual industrial environment. However, the university is not able to provide on-campus internship opportunities to its students. Hence, they are bound to look for off-campus internships via referrals, internshala or other sources. 

Sikkim University Placements

The placement scenario of Sikkim University is an uphill battle! According to the NIRF Report 2023, the university achieved an overall placement rate of only 6% in 2022. Here are the course-wise statistics of Sikkim University placements for in-depth analysis.

Course-wise Placements 2022

Sikkim University Top Recruiters

• Zydus HealthCare Ltd
• German Laboratories
• CIPLA Pharmaceuticals
• Torrent Pharmaceuticals
• Thomson Digital (India Today Group)
• Glenmark Pharma
• STPI Gangtok
• SUN pharmaceuticals
• Teach For India (TFI)
• ICICI Bank
•  Oracle India
• Global Data Mining
• EOL Computing Centre 

Our Take:

Sikkim University’s Internship and placement scenario is a matter of concern. The university’s inability to provide ample internships and placements is a major drawback. It means students have to rely on external resources to find opportunities which can be difficult and time-consuming. The university should put solid efforts into providing internships and placements to increase the employability of its students. 

Sikkim University Diversity and Demographics

Sikkim University has a pretty diverse student population with perfectly balanced inter-intra-state students and gender representation. Let us explore the demography of Sikkim University in detail based on the NIRF Report 2023. 

Demographic Representation

Gender Representation

Quick Analysis:

Our Take:

Based on the analysis we can say that Sikkim University has a diverse student body. The ratio of students hailing from Sikkim and other states is perfectly balanced at 5:5. This creates an intercultural atmosphere on the campus. 

Moreover, the ratio of male to female students stands at 4:6 which represents a stronghold of female students in the student body. However, the international diversity at Sikkim University accounts for only 0.5% of students which is pretty low. The university should focus on this area and evolve its international diversity. 

Sikkim University Faculty

Sikkim University is proud to have a distinguished faculty of 174 members, with a strong core of 163 permanent professors and 11 contractual faculty. The majority of these educators hold PhDs, solidifying their expertise in their respective fields and ensuring students receive high-quality education.

Moreover, Sikkim University claims to invite a large number of prominent guest faculty to train students. Furthermore, the students have shared positive feedback regarding the teaching quality and behaviour of the faculty.  

Our Take:

As per our analysis, Sikkim University has a box full of experienced faculty motivated towards teaching and forming friendly relations with the students. Moreover, the faculty-to-student ratio is extremely good with a high number of teachers and a small batch size. 

Sikkim University Location

The main administrative office of Sikkim University is located in Samdur, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim. One can easily reach Sikkim University by travelling via road, rail or air transport. The nearest railway station is located at New Jalpaiguri and the closest airport is Bagdogra Airport. 

Sikkim University: Expectation vs Reality CLD Verdict!

In this article, we have incorporated all the relevant information about Sikkim University for students to make an informed decision. However, students are suggested to consider the fee structure to find the accurate return on Investment (ROI). 

The tuition fee of Sikkim University is extremely affordable and it ranges from INR  660 to INR 3,300 per semester. On top of this, the university provides extensive remission to various categories of students. Many students choose Sikkim University because of its affordable fees, relevant courses, and experienced professors, even though the placement opportunities and internships are limited. You can make your decision based on your personal needs and aspirations! 

Our Final Checklist!