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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Students urge SPPU to reinstate UPSC, MPSC special batch
A coalition of student organisations at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has urged the administration to reinstate its University Grants Commission (UGC) recognised Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) special batch, which has been non-functional for the past two academic years. This year, SPPU introduced what it calls 'add-on batches' with 40 seats each for UPSC and MPSC preparation. (HT FILE) Representatives from the university's Competitive Examination Centre (CEC), the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Post-Graduate Students Association (DAPSA), and the Maharashtra Republican Party Students' Front submitted a memorandum on August 6 to vice-chancellor Suresh Gosavi. The students have demanded that the batch, which previously catered to 52 aspirants each for the UPSC and MPSC, be restored in its earlier format without further delay. According to the student leaders, the discontinued programme had a well-defined reservation policy, with 20 seats reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates and 10 for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates in each batch. However, since its suspension in 2022, the university has not offered an equivalent alternative at that time. This year, SPPU introduced what it calls 'add-on batches' with 40 seats each for UPSC and MPSC preparation. Student groups allege that the revised structure has diluted the reservation benefits and introduced a steep, inequitable fee structure. Under the current new batch, students from reserved categories are required to pay ₹7,500, while those from the open category are charged ₹30,000. 'Not only has the intake been reduced, but the policy change undermines the principles of social justice and accessibility that the special batch represented,' said a student representative from DAPSA. Members of NSUI and other groups also stressed that the original batch, being UGC-recognised, provided a more credible and structured platform for aspirants from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. In an official notification issued on August 8, the competitive examination centre informed applicants that the admission process for the self-supporting 'add-on batch' (2025–26) has been suspended until further notice. Students who have already paid the fees have been advised to wait for further instructions, with the CEC assuring that they will be contacted in due course. S Fazal D Firdausi, coordinator, CEC, said, 'The UPSC, MPSC special batch was originally planned under the UGC's 12th Plan. Later, in 2014, NITI Aayog took over the initiative. Every year, we used to receive a public notice for a scheme which offered several courses, including MPSC, UPSC, and banking, which was issued. Each year, an extension of the scheme would be issued. Under the scheme, part of the expenses was covered by the UGC, while the remaining amount was borne by the university. However, for the last two years, since 2022, the UGC has not sent the scheme's extension letter. We even sent a letter to the UGC, but have not received any response.' 'In the meantime, as we continued to get inquiries from students, we started an add-on batch under the Maharashtra government category. However, some students raised objections, which is why their admissions are now on hold,' he said. Student organisations have warned that they may intensify their agitation if the matter is not addressed promptly.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Students join Isro pioneers at Spark India event
In a stride towards nurturing scientific minds, students of Helios International School attended the Spark India programme inauguration at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on June 6. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The programme, a collaboration between , Indo Science Education Trust and SPPU, aimed to instill scientific temper and enhance Stem engagement among students. The panel included former Isro chairman AS Kiran Kumar, SPPU vice chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi, Isro-SPPU Space Technology Centre director Dr Arvind Shaligram, former Isro director Dr Pramod Kale and Indo Science Education Trust founder and president Dr Santosh Pise. The event featured the 111th Isro space exhibition, showcasing models, simulations and interactive exhibits. Students engaged with space scientists through demonstrations and discussions. Space pioneers were also felicitated. All Sankalp students return with a medal Students from Sankalp Valley School dominated the Pune District Kudo Federation Championship held on July 12-13. The team of 29 participants displayed their prowess in martial arts, securing 23 gold medals and 6 silver medals. Students went through months of intensive training and holistic development under coach Saurabh Jadhav. Principal Mikita Kale praised the achievement, highlighting that each medal represented the students' determination and the school's ethos.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
QS World University Rankings 2026: SPPU is Maharashtra's top-ranked university, secures 566th rank globally
Written by Antara Kulkarni The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has secured the 566th position in the recently released Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026. QS evaluated over 8,500 universities globally, and its rankings encompass more than 1,500 universities. A total of 54 Indian universities found a spot in the rankings. SPPU is the top-ranked university in Maharashtra, and notched up the second position among public state universities in India. QS rankings involve the evaluation of universities based on five parameters with different weightage: Research and Discovery, Employability and Outcomes, Global Engagement, Learning Experience, and Sustainability. For the 2026 rankings, International Student Diversity has also been introduced as an unweighted indicator. SPPU has received a high score in the 'Research and Discovery' parameter due to a higher ranking in 'Citations per Faculty', which has shown a 124-point increase when compared to the previous year, despite a reduction in the number of faculty this year. The university has a high 'Global Engagement' score due to a higher ranking in 'International Research Network', and a high 'Learning Experience' score due to its performance in the 'Faculty Student Ratio' segment. The 'Employment Outcomes' score has also shown a 130-point increase over the 2025 rankings. Calculations based on these parameters have given the university a score of 29.3 out of 100. 'Moving forward, we remain firmly committed to further enhancing the quality of teaching, research, and global engagement in alignment with the transformative vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020… We are confident that once all the 111 sanctioned teaching positions are filled, Savitribai Phule Pune University will advance to a global rank within 500,' said Dr Suresh Gosavi, Vice-Chancellor, SPPU. 'The university has achieved an overall world ranking of 566, a significant improvement from its previous band of 631–640,' said Professor Parag Kalkar, SPPU, Pro Vice-Chancellor. (Antara Kulkarni is an intern with The Indian Express)
