JNU forms India’s first varsity-based animal welfare society

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has established the Animal Welfare Society of JNU (AWS–JNU), becoming the first higher education institution in India to constitute a statutory body dedicated to animal welfare.

The society was formally notified on September 26, by JNU Vice-Chancellor Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, in line with the directives of the Ministry of Education (MoE) and University Grants Commission (UGC) to set up Animal Welfare Societies in Higher Educational Institutions, and in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The Vice-Chancellor has been at the forefront of the initiative, with the university stating that “the endeavour aims not only to inculcate animal welfare into the curriculum but also everyday campus life.” Earlier, under her leadership, the reconstituted Animal Birth Control (ABC) Committee in 2024 played a crucial role in advancing humane animal management and fostering peaceful coexistence between humans and animals on the campus.

The newly-constituted AWS–JNU will be chaired by Prof Piyush Pratap Singh, Associate Dean of Students (III) and Chairperson of JNU’s ABC Committee.

The AWS–JNU will introduce a structured framework to promote animal welfare and sustainability. The university noted that this framework would focus on “awareness and education on animal welfare, zoonoses and environmental ethics,” along with “campus-based initiatives like feeding zones and first-aid teams”. It will also encourage “research and capstone projects on animal law, ecology, and sustainable lifestyles”, and provide “internships and field exposure in collaboration with SPCAs, veterinary hospitals, and the Forest Department.”

According to the university, the formation of JNU AWS embodies the spirit of the NEP 2020, which envisions cultivating ethical, compassionate and environmentally conscious citizens, while also fulfiling the constitutional duty under Article 51A(g) — to show compassion towards all living beings.”