Panjab University (PU), located in Chandigarh, India, stands as one of the country's oldest and most prestigious public universities. Established in 1882 as the University of the Punjab in Lahore, it was reconstituted in 1947 following India's partition. Initially operating from Solan, the university relocated to its current Chandigarh campus in 1956, featuring architectural designs by Pierre Jeanneret under the guidance of Le Corbusier.​

Official website: https://puchd.ac.in/ 

  History

Founding and Evolution: PU traces its origins to the University of the Punjab, established in Lahore in 1882. Post-partition, the university was re-established in India as East Punjab University on October 1, 1947. It was renamed Panjab University in 1950. The university operated from various locations before settling in Chandigarh in 1956.​

Architectural Significance: The Chandigarh campus, spread over 550 acres in Sectors 14 and 25, showcases modernist architecture. Notable structures include the Gandhi Bhawan and the A.C. Joshi Library.​

 Facilities

Academic Infrastructure: PU comprises 78 teaching and research departments and 10 centers/chairs. It offers programs across various faculties, including Arts, Science, Languages, Law, Education, Design and Fine Arts, Business Management and Commerce, Engineering and Technology, Hotel Management and Tourism, Medical Sciences, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.​

Library: The A.C. Joshi Library houses a vast collection of over 670,000 titles, serving as a central resource for students and researchers.​

Hostels: The university provides accommodation through 18 hostels, including facilities for international students and visiting sports teams.​

Sports Complex: PU boasts extensive sports facilities, including playgrounds, a gymnasium, and a swimming pool. The university has been awarded the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy multiple times for excellence in sports.​

Student Centre: Known as StuC, the Student Centre is a hub for student activities, housing the office of the Dean of Student Welfare and the university students' council.​

Museum of Fine Arts: This museum, part of the Department of Art History and Visual Arts, features a significant collection of contemporary Indian art.

 Reputation

Accreditations: PU has achieved the highest NAAC accreditation grade of A++ with a CGPA of 3.68, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence.​

National Rankings: In the 2024 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), PU secured the 60th position overall, 35th in Research, 38th among Universities, 92nd in Management, 7th in Pharmacy, and 27th in Dental.​

International Rankings: PU was ranked 1001–1200 in the QS World University Rankings of 2025 and 301–350 in Asia. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings of 2023, it was placed 801–1000 globally and 201–250 in Asia.​

Student Life: The university fosters a vibrant student community with various cultural and technical festivals, including "Cyanide" and "Goonj." The Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) actively organizes events and represents student interests.​