Panjab varsity Board approves Rs 901.61-cr budget for 2026-27

The Panjab University (PU) Board of Finance (BoF) today approved a budget of Rs 901.61 crore for the 2026-27 financial year. The budget envisages total expenditure of Rs 901.61 crore against an expected income of Rs 387.54 crore.

The meeting was presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof Renu Vig and attended by Sudeep Singh Jain, Financial Adviser, UGC, Nominee of Union Ministry of Education.

To get Rs 412.17 crore from UGC

The university will receive Rs 412.17 crore from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Rs 101.68 crore from the Punjab Government during 2026–27.

To meet the liability of payment of arrears of revised pension, the Punjab Government has been requested to release one-time additional grant of Rs 128.95 crore. The representative of the Punjab Government stated that the proposal for the same be submitted through the administrative department concerned for consideration.

As per the budget estimates, the university expects to earn Rs 387.54 crore during 2026–27 through internal revenue sources. This includes Rs 100 crore from partially self-financed courses, Rs 20.50 crore from the Centre for Distance and Online Education (formerly USOL), Rs 174 crore from examination fees, Rs 21.50 crore as fees from university teaching departments, Rs 36 crore from registration, certificate and CET fees, Rs 14.70 crore from hostels, Rs 7.37 crore from sports fees (PUSC) and Rs 13.47 crore from other sources such as interest, late admission fees, sale of admission forms and affiliation continuation fees.

Student-centric and development projects

Under the capital expenditure plan, the university announced several developmental and student-centric projects. The university proposed to set up an indoor stadium for volleyball, basketball and the boxing training hall in the Sector 14 campus at an estimated cost of Rs 4.69 crore.

Two new synthetic tennis courts will also be constructed at a cost of Rs 46 lakh. In addition, renovation and upgrade of student amenities form a major part of the expenditure plan.

The university will undertake the renovation of washrooms of Blocks I, II, and IV in the Boys’ Hostel No 6, renovation of kitchen and mess areas in Girls’ Hostel No 2 and Boys Hostel No 2, and installation of a rainwater harvesting system at Girls’ Hostel No 11, with a total estimated cost of Rs 3 crore.

Infrastructure of the Central Placement Cell and the University Health Centre will also be upgraded with proposed expenditure of Rs 1.84 crore and Rs 89 lakh, respectively.

To support the overall physical development of the campus, Rs 11.69 crore has been allocated for strengthening of general infrastructure.

Around Rs 5.50 crore has been proposed for upgrade of the electrical system across the campus to ensure energy efficiency and safety.

The board allotted Rs 4.80 crore for the modernisation of academic and research facilities, including laboratory refurbishment and ICT enhancement, while Rs 3 crore has been proposed for digital infrastructure, smart classrooms and blended learning facilities to strengthen the teaching–learning ecosystem.

Representatives of Department of Higher Education and Languages, Government of Punjab; Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, along with Panjab University officials attended the meeting.