Nearly a Women’s University?
How Panjab University’s 73rd Convocation Made a Statement
By CitiTimes Editorial Desk
Chandigarh, India, December 14, 2025
Panjab University: Women Take the Lead
75% Graduates Are Women
At its 73rd Convocation on December 13, Panjab University, Chandigarh, revealed a striking statistic: three out of four graduates were women. Of 716 degrees awarded, 533 went to women, 182 to men, and 1 to a transgender student.
Leadership Mirrors the Numbers
Women hold the university’s top posts. The Vice Chancellor is a woman, as is the Dean of University Instruction, the second-highest office. Several other senior officials are women, making PU’s governance structure a reflection of its student body.
Research Driven by Women
The Convocation also marked the award of 350 PhDs, many to women scholars. It shows women are not only filling classrooms but also shaping the university’s research output and intellectual capital.
A Symbol of Empowerment
Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who presided over the event, called the numbers a reflection of women’s empowerment through education. PU’s transformation is not accidental—it is the result of women consistently excelling in higher education.
The Balance Question
While PU’s success story is inspiring, it raises questions about gender balance. If men are underrepresented in higher education, what does this mean for the future workforce? PU’s example highlights both progress and the need for inclusivity.
A Co-ed in Name, Women’s University in Spirit
Panjab University today stands as a co-ed institution that feels like a women’s university in spirit. It is a powerful emblem of how education can tilt the scales of empowerment and reshape the narrative of leadership in India’s universities.
“With 75 percent of the graduating class being women, Panjab University isn’t just empowering women—it’s nearly become a ‘women’s university’ leading the charge in educational equality.”
CitiTimes 