Guru Nanak Dev University Requires Research Submissions in Punjabi and English

Chandigarh, Amritsar-based Guru Nanak Dev University has announced a significant policy change requiring all major research works to be submitted in both Punjabi and English.

This initiative, part of the newly approved Punjabi-First Education, Research and Governance Policy 2026, aims to make knowledge more accessible to the people of Punjab.

Karamjeet Singh, the university's vice-chancellor, emphasized that this policy seeks to reconnect higher education with societal needs and make academic research more relevant to the local population.

All major research outputs, such as PhD theses, dissertations, and project reports, must now be presented in both languages, ensuring that knowledge is not confined by language barriers.

The goal is to facilitate access to research for Punjabi-speaking students, teachers, and policymakers, thus fostering a deeper engagement with academic work.

Singh stated that the Punjabi submissions will be evaluated for clarity and accuracy, maintaining the academic integrity of the research.

This policy is particularly beneficial for students from rural areas, allowing them to express their ideas naturally in their mother tongue while still engaging with the global academic community.

The implications are vast, with research across various fields like agriculture, health, and education now available in Punjabi, which will enhance public understanding and inform better policymaking.

Furthermore, the university plans to provide comprehensive support, including academic glossaries and a dedicated Punjabi Academic Support Unit, to ensure rigorous standards and consistency.

This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, which promotes multilingual education and aims to eliminate language barriers in higher education.

By institutionalizing bilingual research, Guru Nanak Dev University is reinforcing the connection between knowledge and society, and this policy will take effect in the upcoming academic session.