GNDU makes Punjabi mandatory alongside English for research

In a move aimed at democratising access to knowledge and strengthening the foundations of higher education in Punjab, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has approved the Punjabi-First Education, Research and Governance Policy 2026, making Punjabi in Gurmukhi script a mandatory medium for major research outputs alongside English.

Announcing the policy, Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh described it as a “historic and people-centric step” that aligns with the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 while ensuring GNDU’s continued commitment to global academic excellence.

“Knowledge generated in Punjab must not remain confined to elite academic circles or locked behind language barriers,” said Prof Karamjeet Singh. “By requiring PhD theses, dissertations, project reports and funded research outputs to be submitted in both English or the primary academic language and Punjabi, we are making research accessible to Punjabi-speaking students, teachers, parents, policymakers and the wider society. This initiative promotes inclusion, equity and cultural confidence without compromising quality.”

The Vice-Chancellor said that under the policy, the Punjabi version of research work will be academically rigorous, faithful to the original content and evaluated for clarity, accuracy and fidelity to research findings. He emphasised that students would not be penalised for natural stylistic variations in Punjabi expression, provided the meaning and scientific integrity remain intact.

“The focus is on empowering scholars, particularly those from rural, border and first-generation learner backgrounds, who think and articulate ideas more naturally in Punjabi,” he said. “This approach will deepen engagement with research while preserving national and international academic mobility,” he said.

The policy draws inspiration from NEP 2020’s emphasis on multilingualism and mother-tongue-based education. Prof Karamjeet Singh said it positions Punjabi not only as a language of heritage and culture but also as a dynamic medium for science, innovation, agriculture, health, environment, law, entrepreneurship and social sciences.

To ensure smooth implementation, GNDU will put in place several support 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, and a bilingual digital repository to archive research in both languages.

The Vice-Chancellor clarified that modern tools, including the responsible use of AI-assisted translation, will be permitted, but scholars will remain fully accountable for accuracy and academic integrity.

The rollout of the policy will be phased to ensure a smooth transition, with doctoral theses and funded research included in the first year, master’s dissertations in the second year, and major project reports and institutional research in the third year. Limited exemptions will apply only in highly technical or legally restricted domains, where mandatory Punjabi summaries will still be required.

Prof Karamjeet Singh said the initiative reaffirms GNDU’s role as a public university that bridges global knowledge systems with local realities. “This is a decisive step 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.

The policy will come into effect from the next academic session.