Amritsar, January 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
In a landmark decision aimed at democratising access to knowledge and strengthening the roots of higher education in Punjab, Guru Nanak Dev University has approved the Punjabi-First Education, Research and Governance Policy 2026, making Punjabi (Gurmukhi script) a mandatory medium for major research outputs alongside English.
Announcing the policy, Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Karamjeet Singh described it as a “historic and people-centric step” that aligns with the spirit of the National Education Policy 2020 while ensuring that GNDU remains committed to global academic excellence.
“Knowledge generated in Punjab must not remain confined to elite academic circles or locked behind language barriers,” Prof. Karamjeet Singh said.
“By requiring that PhD theses, dissertations, project reports and funded research outputs be submitted in both English (or the primary academic language) and Punjabi, we are making groundbreaking research accessible to Punjabi-speaking students, teachers, parents, policymakers and the wider society. This is about inclusion, equity and cultural confidence without any compromise on quality.”
Vice Chancellor said that under the policy, the Punjabi version will be academically rigorous, faithful to the original work, and evaluated for clarity, accuracy and fidelity to the research findings. Prof. Karamjeet Singh emphasised that students would not face penalties for natural stylistic variations in Punjabi expression, as long as the meaning and scientific integrity remain intact.
“The focus is on empowering scholars—especially those from rural, border and first-generation learner backgrounds—who think and articulate ideas more naturally in Punjabi,” he added. “This will deepen engagement with research while preserving their national and international mobility.”
The policy draws inspiration from NEP 2020’s emphasis on multilingualism and mother-tongue-based education. Prof. Karamjeet Singh noted that it positions Punjabi not merely as a language of heritage and culture, but as a vibrant medium for science, innovation, agriculture, health, environment, law, entrepreneurship and social sciences.
To support effective implementation, GNDU will establish robust mechanisms, including:
– Department-specific Punjabi academic glossaries
– A comprehensive Punjabi academic writing and citation guide
– A dedicated Punjabi Academic Support Unit for terminology development and translation assistance
– A bilingual digital repository to archive research in both languages
Modern tools, including responsible use of AI-assisted translation, will be permitted, but scholars will remain fully accountable for accuracy and academic integrity, the Vice-Chancellor clarified.
The rollout will be phased for a smooth transition: doctoral theses and funded research in the first year, master’s dissertations in the second, and major project reports and institutional research in the third. Limited exceptions will apply only in highly technical or legally restricted domains, with mandatory Punjabi summaries required in such cases.
Prof. Karamjeet Singh underlined that the initiative reaffirms GNDU’s role as a public university bridging global knowledge systems with local realities. “This is a decisive move towards a more inclusive, rooted and socially meaningful higher education ecosystem in Punjab. We are building a university where excellence, equity and cultural leadership go hand in hand,” he said.
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