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Kurukshetra University

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Kurukshetra University
Other name
KUK
MottoYogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi
TypeEducation and Research
Established1956; 70 years ago (1956)
AccreditationNAAC (A++ Grade)
Affiliations
ChancellorGovernor of Haryana
Vice-ChancellorSom Nath Sachdeva[1]
Faculty256
Administrative staff
450
Students10,000 +
Postgraduates3,000 +
Location
Kurukshetra, Haryana
,
India

29°57′28″N 76°48′57″E / 29.957691°N 76.815848°E / 29.957691; 76.815848
Campus
Websitewww.kuk.ac.in
Map

Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (KUK) is a university in Kurukshetra, India, established on 11 January 1956.[2] The university was established with the objective of promoting higher education and advanced research in northern India. Over the decades, it has developed into a multidisciplinary institution offering programs in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, management, law, education, and professional studies. The university is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), accredited with an A++ Grade by NAAC, and enjoys Category-I autonomy under UGC regulations.

in Kurukshetra, Haryana.[3] It is a member of Association of Commonwealth Universities.[4]

History

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Foundation and Early Years

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The university was in 1956 as a unitary residential university. The Department of Sanskrit was the only department in the university when it was inaugurated by Bharat Ratna Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.[5] The idea of establishing the university was conceived by then governor of Punjab, Chandeshwar Prasad Narayan Singh, a Sanskrit scholar.[6] The university began its academic journey with a single department, the Department of Sanskrit, reflecting the historical and cultural significance of Kurukshetra as a center of Indian civilization and learning. [7]

The establishment of the university formed part of the broader post-independence effort to expand access to higher education across India. Situated in a region associated with the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita, the institution sought to combine traditional Indian knowledge systems with modern scientific and professional education.[8]

Expansion

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From its initial focus on Sanskrit studies, the university gradually expanded into multiple academic disciplines. New faculties, departments, research centers, and affiliated colleges were added over successive decades, transforming the institution into one of the major public universities in northern India. Today, it serves students through on-campus departments, distance education programs, and a large affiliated-college network. [9]

Philosophy and Motto

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The university's motto, "Yogastha Kuru Karmani", is derived from the Bhagavad Gita. The phrase emphasizes the performance of duty with discipline, balance, and commitment. This philosophical foundation reflects the university's attempt to integrate ethical values with academic excellence. [10]

Accreditation and Recognition

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NAAC Accreditation

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In 2024, Kurukshetra University received the A++ Grade, the highest accreditation grade awarded by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The university achieved a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.56 out of 4, becoming the first public-sector university in Haryana to attain this distinction. In a first for Haryana State varsity, Kurukshetra University gets NAAC’s A++ grade | Chandigarh News - Times of India [11]

Category-I Status

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The university has been granted Category-I status, a designation associated with high-performing institutions and enhanced academic autonomy. This status allows greater flexibility in curriculum development, research initiatives, academic collaborations, and institutional governance.[12]

Academic Affiliations

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The university is recognized by the University Grants Commission and participates in national and international academic networks. It is also associated with organizations that facilitate academic cooperation and mobility.[13]

Achievements

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Academic

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The Department of Electronic Science in 2011, was awarded a ₹2.96 crore (US$310,000) project on nanoscience by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.[14]

Kurukshetra University implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in its undergraduate programmes from the 2022–23 session, becoming the first university in Haryana to do so.[15][16] From July 2023, the policy was extended to all affiliated colleges.[17][18]

Sports

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Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra has a number of achievements in sports. In 2015 the Boxing Team of Kurukshetra University won the All India Inter-University Boxing Championship among more than 100 Universities from all over India.[19] All India Inter-University Boxing Championship was held at LPU, Jalandhar. Boxers from KUK won 3 Gold and 3 Bronze Medals under their boxing coach Rajesh Kumar Rajound.[20] The university has been awarded Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy, representing the highest award given for inter-university sports and University sportsperson performance in international and national arena by the Government of India, in the year 1966–1967.[21] Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra won first position in Archery (Women), Basketball (Women), and Karate (Men) at the All India Inter-University tournaments during the 2024–25 session.[22] Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra has a number of achievements in sports. In 2015 the Boxing Team of Kurukshetra University won the All India Inter-University Boxing Championship among more than 100 Universities from all over India.[23]

Campus

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Spread over 473 acres (1.91 km2),[5] the KUK campus is located on the western bank of Brahma Sarovar in the Hindu holy city of Kurukshetra.[24]

Faculties

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  • Faculty of Arts & Languages
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Life Sciences
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Commerce & Management
  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Engg. & Technology
  • Faculty of Indic Studies
  • Faculty of Law
Auditorium of Kurukshetra University.
Dronacharya Dwar of Kurukshetra University: Left gate (Entry gate)
Dronacharya Dwar of Kurukshetra University: Right gate (Exit gate)

Institution

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Centre of excellence (CoE)

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Departments / Institutes / Centres

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The university has 10 faculties and 49 departments / institutes / schools:[26]

  • Centre for Distance & Online Education
  • Department of Arts and Languages
  • Department of Foreign Languages
  • Department of Chemistry
  • Department of Geology
  • Department of Geophysics
  • Department of Life Sciences
  • Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Department of Physics
  • Department of Statistics
  • Department of Law
  • Institute of Indic Studies
  • Institute of Integrated and Honors Studies (Formerly University College)
  • Institute of Teachers Training & Research
  • Institute of Environmental studies
  • Institute of Management Studies
  • Institute of Mass Communication & Media Technology
  • University Institute of Engineering and Technology
  • University School of Management
  • University Senior Secondary Model School

Affiliated colleges

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Its jurisdiction extends over 7 districts- Ambala, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat, Yamunanagar. The university has 290 affiliated colleges and institutes.[27]

Rankings

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University rankings
Engineering – India
NIRF (2024)[28]201-300

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranked the university between 201-300 in the engineering rankings in 2024.[29]

In the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, Kurukshetra University was ranked 35th among State Public Universities.[30] It had previously been ranked 41st in 2024 in the same category.[31]

Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Prof. Som Nath Sachdeva – Vice Chancellor, Kurukshetra University". Kurukshetra University. Kurukshetra University. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  2. ↑ "About us". Kurukshetra University. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  3. ↑ "Kurukshetra University declares results". The Times of India. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Kurukshetra University Info Archived 1 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine Association of Commonwealth Universities.
  5. 1 2 "A rating PU tops region in NAAC grading". The Times of India. 4 February 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  6. ↑ Yoginder Gupta (12 January 2007). "Critical thinkers must for growth: Datta". The Tribune. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  7. ↑ "KUK". Kurukshetra University, kurukshetra.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ "KUK". KUK.
  9. ↑ "KUKonline". KUK Online.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ "KUK Moto". KUK Moto.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ↑ "NAAC". The Times of India.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ↑ "IUMS, KUK". KUK IUMS.
  13. ↑ "UGC" (PDF). UGC.
  14. ↑ "Kurukshetra University bags project to boost Nanoscience". The Times of India. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "Kurukshetra University first in Haryana to implement NEP, admissions as per NEP 2020 begins in varsity". Times of India. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  16. ↑ "Kurukshetra University all set to implement NEP 2020 from August". Hindustan Times. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  17. ↑ "Kurukshetra University to Introduce NEP in All Affiliated Colleges from 2023 Academic Session". News18. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  18. ↑ "National Education Policy – Kurukshetra University". Kurukshetra University. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  19. ↑ "Punjab News Live, Headlines, Channel Live, Online, Live - Sikh News AIU's All India Inter University Women Boxing Championship 2014-15 concluded - City Air News". cityairnews.com.
  20. ↑ "Kurukshetra women win Varsities Boxing Trophy". punjabnewsexpress.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  21. ↑ "List of winners of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (1956-2018)" (PDF). Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (India). Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  22. ↑ "Achievements at Inter University Tournaments 2024-2025". Kurukshetra University. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "Punjab News Live, Headlines, Channel Live, Online, Live - Sikh News AIU's All India Inter University Women Boxing Championship 2014-15 concluded - City Air News". cityairnews.com.
  24. ↑ About KUK, KUK, accessed 22 August 2021.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 p KU Gets 100 crore for CoE Archived 29 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The Tribune, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Kurukshetra University :: Kurukshetra". www.kuk.ac.in. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  27. ↑ kuk.ac.in
  28. ↑ "National Institutional Ranking Framework 2024 (Engineering)". National Institutional Ranking Framework. Ministry of Education. 12 August 2024.
  29. ↑ "NIRF Ranking 2024" (PDF).
  30. ↑ "NIRF India Rankings 2025: State Public Universities". NIRF India Rankings. Ministry of Education, Government of India. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  31. ↑ "NIRF India Rankings 2024: State Public Universities". NIRF India Rankings. Ministry of Education, Government of India. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
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