In a progressive step aimed at improving access to higher education, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (IPU) has announced a new quota for orphan children starting from the 2025-26 academic session. Under this policy, one supernumerary seat will be reserved in each programme for orphaned students, along with a complete tuition fee waiver. The initiative comes as an extension of the university’s commitment to inclusive education, following last year’s implementation of a Single Girl Child quota.
Support for Orphans Through Fee Waiver and Welfare Schemes
The orphan quota will fall under the university’s Economically Weaker Section (EWS) scheme, ensuring students admitted under it will not have to bear any tuition cost. According to Padma Shri awardee and Vice Chancellor Dr. Mahesh Verma, this move aims to support children who have lost their parents due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other circumstances. IPU also intends to help eligible students secure financial assistance through various central and state government welfare schemes. With this measure, IPU becomes one of the first Indian universities to introduce such a dedicated support mechanism.
Academic Council Approves New Courses and Reforms
The Academic Council meeting that approved this quota also introduced several academic innovations. A new PhD programme for working professionals was greenlit, allowing individuals to pursue doctoral studies alongside their jobs. Furthermore, the university will now offer lateral entry into the MBA programme in Fire and Industrial Safety, opening new pathways for candidates with industry-relevant qualifications.
Additional academic plans include the launch of certificate courses in Spanish and other global languages. The university will roll out a five-year integrated BA-MA programme in Philosophy and four-year BEd Special Education courses across three new disciplines. A Post-MSc Diploma in Radiological Physics will be introduced to cater to growing healthcare needs.
In alignment with its mission to preserve Indian knowledge systems, the university will establish an “In-Situ Centre for Indian Knowledge System and Technology Innovation.” The centre will focus on heritage, science, and innovation rooted in Indian tradition.
The Narela campus of IPU is also set to become functional soon, introducing programmes like MSc in Microbiology, along with multiple diploma and certificate courses. These efforts are part of the university’s ongoing strategy to enhance academic infrastructure and access.
