**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1242, addressed on July 28, 2025, regarding the establishment of a Central University in Sangrur, Punjab, the Ministry of Education clarified its position. The question inquired about the evaluation of need, steps taken to address educational disparity in Sangrur, site viability, feasibility studies, and timelines for establishing a Central University in Sangrur, Barnala and Malerkotla.
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, stated that while Central Universities are intended to provide academic leadership, the existing Central University of Punjab in Bathinda already serves the educational needs of the state. Additionally, the Ministry has established other higher education institutions in Punjab, including IIT Ropar, IIM Amritsar, IISER Mohali, and NIT Jalandhar.
The Ministry's current focus is on consolidating the existing higher education infrastructure by expanding the capacity of established institutions. Furthermore, the response notes that education is a concurrent subject, with State Governments also undertaking initiatives to improve access to higher education within their respective states. The response does not indicate any current plans to establish a new Central University in Sangrur, Barnala and Malerkotla, emphasizing instead the strengthening of existing institutions and the role of the State Government in addressing educational needs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The Indian government ministry responsible for education.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer: The member of parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha regarding the Central University in Sangrur.
Sangrur, Punjab: A district in the state of Punjab, India, where the establishment of a Central University was questioned.
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda: An existing central university in Punjab that caters to the educational needs of the state.
Central Universities Act: The legislation under which Central Universities are established and governed in India.
Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar: A higher education institution in Ropar, Punjab, established by the Ministry of Education.
Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar: A higher education institution in Amritsar, Punjab, established by the Ministry of Education.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1242
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Central University in Sangrur, Punjab
1242. Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government evaluated the need for establishment of Central University in Sangrur,
Barnala and Malerkotla to improve access to quality education;
(b) the details of steps taken by the Government to address educational disparity being faced by the
students of Sangrur in comparison to neighbouring districts;
(c) whether the Government considered it a viable site for establishment of Central University in
Sangrur under the provision of Central Universities Act;
(d) whether the Government has conducted feasibility studies or proposed a timeline for
establishment of Central University in Sangrur; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (e): The Central Universities are envisaged to function as pace setter institutions to provide
academic leadership to other institutions in the region. There is already a Central University in
Punjab, namely Central University of Punjab in Bathinda which is catering to the educational
aspirations of State of Punjab also. Besides Central University, this Ministry has established several
other higher educational institutions in Punjab such as Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar; Indian
Institute of Management, Amritsar; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali;
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar etc. These educational institutions
are also catering to the need of higher education aspiration in the State of Punjab. Now, the focus
has been on consolidation of higher education systems by scaling up the capacity of existing
institutions. Further, Education being a concurrent subject, the State Governments are also taking
initiatives to provide greater access to higher education in respective states.
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