Panjab University

What Panjab University is

Panjab University, established in 1882 in Lahore (pre-Partition) and re-established in Chandigarh in 1956, is one of India’s oldest and most established public universities. The university is accredited NAAC A and ranked 34th among universities in the NIRF 2025 rankings (NIRF 2025).

Panjab University has a unique administrative status — it receives funding from both the central government (through UGC) and the Chandigarh Administration, giving it characteristics of both a central and state university. The university operates departments on its main campus in Chandigarh’s Sector 14 and also affiliates over 200 colleges across Punjab, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh.

This profile covers only the Panjab University campus departments in Chandigarh — not the affiliated colleges.

The 550-acre campus in Sector 14, Chandigarh, is one of the largest and most picturesque university campuses in India. The university enrolls approximately 15,000 students in campus departments, with around 1,000 faculty members (Panjab University Official Website).

Who it’s for

Panjab University draws students who want a well-rounded university experience in a multi-disciplinary setting at public university fees. The university’s strength lies in its breadth — it offers programs across arts, sciences, engineering, law, medicine, education, pharmacy, fine arts, and management.

Students who value a traditional university campus environment will appreciate Chandigarh’s planned-city setting. The 550-acre campus in Sector 14 is adjacent to Sukhna Lake and is well-connected to the city. Chandigarh consistently ranks among India’s most liveable cities.

Panjab University is a strong choice for students from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh who want an affordable, reputable degree. The University Business School (UBS) and Department of Laws are particularly well-regarded.

Engineering programs at the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) are competitive and admit students through JEE Main scores. For non-engineering programs, admission is through CUET UG or PU CET (Panjab University Common Entrance Test).

Students should be aware that as a large public university, the experience can vary significantly between departments. Some departments have excellent faculty and research output; others face resource constraints.

Programs offered

Panjab University offers programs across a wide range of disciplines through its campus departments and constituent institutes.

Engineering (University Institute of Engineering and Technology — UIET):

• B.E. in Computer Science, Electronics and Communication, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, Biotechnology

Sciences:

• B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Microbiology, Geology
• M.Sc. programs across science departments

Arts and Humanities:

• BA (Hons) in English, History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Hindi, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Philosophy, Public Administration, Geography

Commerce:

• B.Com (Hons)

Law (Department of Laws / UILS):

• BA LLB (Hons) — 5 years
• LLM — 1 year

Management (University Business School — UBS):

• MBA (2 years)
• BBA (3 years)

Other:

• B.Ed., M.Ed.
• BFA, MFA (Fine Arts)
• B.Pharm., M.Pharm.
• MBBS (Government Medical College, Chandigarh — affiliated)
• Ph.D. across all departments

Fee structure (2025-26)

As a public university, Panjab University’s fees are significantly lower than private institutions (Panjab University Admissions):

Total 4-year B.E. cost at UIET is approximately ₹6–8 lakh including hostel. BA/B.Sc. programs cost ₹1–2 lakh total for 3 years. These are among the lowest fees for quality higher education in India.

Campus and infrastructure

The 550-acre campus in Chandigarh’s Sector 14 includes:

• Over 75 teaching and research departments
• AC Joshi Library — one of the largest university libraries in India
• University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET)
• University Business School (UBS)
• Department of Laws and University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS)
• Research centres across sciences and humanities
• Sports facilities including stadium, swimming pool, gymnasium, and playing fields
• Multiple hostels for men and women
• Student Centre with cafeteria and activity spaces
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Health centre

The campus is in Chandigarh, a Union Territory known for its urban planning (designed by Le Corbusier), high quality of life, and safety.

Things to verify before applying

• CUET UG / PU CET dates: Admission routes vary by program. Engineering uses JEE Main; many UG programs use CUET UG or PU CET. Verify the admission route for your specific program.
• Fee structure: PU revises fees periodically. Confirm current figures at puchd.ac.in/admission.php.
• Campus departments vs. affiliated colleges: Ensure you are applying to Panjab University’s campus departments (Chandigarh, Sector 14) and not an affiliated college, unless that is your intention.
• Domicile considerations: Some programs have seat reservations for Chandigarh/Punjab domicile candidates. Verify the out-of-UT/state seat quota.
• Hostel availability: Hostel demand exceeds supply. Apply early and confirm allocation.

Where to go next on this site

• CUET UG — entrance exam for many PU undergraduate programs
• JEE Main — entrance exam for UIET engineering
• CAT — for MBA comparison
• CLAT — for law program comparison
• Delhi University — large public university comparison
• BITS Pilani — private engineering comparison

Sources Used

• Panjab University Official Website
• Panjab University Admissions
• NIRF 2025 University Rankings
• UGC