GNDU expands research access in colleges
The Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Syndicate has approved the launch of PhD programmes and research centres in its affiliated colleges, significantly expanding research opportunities and strengthening higher education across the region. This decision fulfils a long-standing demand from college faculty and is expected to foster innovation and academic excellence.
For the 2025-26 academic session, GNDU will also introduce new multidisciplinary courses, including “Basic First-Aid and Emergency Care,” and will revise the eligibility criteria for the Master of Vocational and Mental Health Counselling programme. Additionally, two specialised Master of Arts programmes in Hindustani Music (vocal and instrumental) will replace the existing combined course, aiming to offer more focused and quality-driven instruction.
According to Prof Karamjeet Singh Chahal, Registrar, GNDU, the decision follows repeated requests from several affiliated colleges, both private and government, to introduce robust research programmes. “This decision will be implemented only in colleges that meet the prescribed terms and conditions for establishing research centres and PhD programmes. These include having a minimum number of qualified faculty members, adequate infrastructure such as laboratories, necessary funding, NAAC accreditation and a sufficient number of willing students,” said Prof Chahal.
He added that the College Development Council, established by the university, will review proposals from affiliated colleges seeking to introduce such programmes.
He said that this initiative will provide students, especially those from rural and border districts like Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran, with access to research facilities and advanced education. At present, these students have to apply to GNDU’s main campus for PhD programmes. “With limited number of seats and faculty, the main campus can facilitate training and mentoring of faculty from affiliated colleges to create a mentorship network for the students,” the Registrar added.
The affiliated colleges have long been demanding the introduction of PhD programmes across various disciplines. While most major colleges in Amritsar city offer PhD and research programmes in a few subjects, core areas such as life sciences, mathematics and technology are primarily offered at the main campus.
Prof Vandana, Head of Research at GNDU, emphasised that this move would encourage a more research-oriented academic culture within affiliated colleges.
“Till now, only the university’s constituent colleges were permitted to offer PhD programmes, provided they met faculty and infrastructure requirements, while the affiliated colleges were limited to offering masters degree programmes. Only in some courses such as in agriculture and humanities, a few affiliated colleges were allowed to run PhD programmes. With the establishment of new research centres in affiliated colleges across Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran, more students interested in research-based courses will now have greater access to such opportunities,” she added.
At present, GNDU’s main campus offers PhD programmes, including sciences, engineering and technology, humanities and religious studies, languages and law .
Admission typically requires a master’s degree with at least 55 per cent marks (with relaxations for certain categories) or an equivalent degree from a recognised university. The university has well-defined ordinances governing PhD registration under its
various faculties.
Amritsar