Central University of Jharkhand Review & Verdict

Campus at a Glimpse

The Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi stands out with two operational campuses, but this can be confusing for those seeking the right educational environment. The current campus, located 25 kilometers from Ranchi in Brambe, offers a peaceful and green setting spread across 45 acres. Classrooms and hostels seamlessly blend with nature, including a classroom complex within a mango orchard and hostels surrounded by Sal trees. However, these trees, with their extensive growth, pose a potential threat to some buildings.

In contrast, the newly allocated campus in Cheri-Manatu, about 10 kilometers from the main city, is still in early development stages. It lacks greenery, resembling a concrete and rock environment. While equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, it will take time to become fully operational, with no lab facilities available. The approach road is also underdeveloped, causing inconvenience for students.

Approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Central University of Jharkhand offers a diverse range of degrees, diplomas, and integrated programs in various fields at the postgraduate and doctoral levels. The Brambe campus features 70 classrooms, a 450-seat auditorium, research laboratories, a computer lab, and a linguistics lab. On-campus accommodation is available for students.

Central University of Jharkhand Rankings: Average

The rankings of Central University of Jharkhand are mentioned below.

Our Take:

The Central University of Jharkhand is an up-and-coming institution, striving to enhance its ranking in the academic world. Currently, the university's ranking doesn't meet expectations, but it has been on an upward trajectory in recent years. While the NIRF ranking has shown gradual improvement, there is still work to be done. Despite the university's Grade A accreditation by NAAC, several notable areas call for enhancement and development.

Central University of Jharkhand Academia & Batch Size

In alignment with UGC's directives, the Central University of Jharkhand has embarked on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 within its academic framework. The university has introduced a 4-year undergraduate program for all its courses, along with a 5-year integrated master's program. This academic structure is thoughtfully organized, encompassing theory, practical, and lab-oriented classes tailored to the specific nature of each course. Furthermore, the university has embraced the concept of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary courses, offering a blend of core and elective options.

The institution is open to fresh ideas and innovations in its course curricula, and research proposals, as well as collaborative initiatives, interactions, and capacity-building programs. With an intake capacity of approximately 2500 students across various levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses, the university manages batch sizes across different categories effectively.

Our Take:

The Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) has outlined plans for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 across multiple academic domains. However, the actual execution of these plans presents significant challenges. Students have expressed their concerns, mainly because the university operates from two separate campuses, and some courses are not exclusively offered at each campus. This has led to the unavailability of many courses that students have selected, causing dissatisfaction. To address these issues effectively, the university should prioritize expanding its infrastructure before addressing operational challenges.

Furthermore, there is a pressing issue with underfilled seats in certain programs, which raises concerns for the university's management. It is imperative to consider increasing the number of seats in high-demand courses to better meet the student's needs and ensure optimal utilization of resources.

Central University of Jharkhand Infrastructure

Classrooms: The classrooms at the Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) are equipped with essential amenities, but there is an urgent need for infrastructure development. The state of classrooms in the old campus is deteriorating steadily, and it appears that the management is currently focused on the new campus, possibly neglecting the maintenance of the old one. While the new campus boasts better infrastructure, there is still considerable work required to ensure its cleanliness and proper maintenance.

Laboratories: The laboratories have all the basic facilities in the Brambe campus while the new campus is yet to come with a laboratory that suffices the needs of the students.

Hostels: The university's students and staff are accommodated in the residential halls located on the campus. These buildings are properly maintained and offer cozy and reasonably priced lodging options. Separate hostels are available for male and female students, with a combined capacity to accommodate up to 1000 individuals. However, the dining service provided by the mess is substandard and demands significant improvement.

Library: The campus library is a spacious and extensively stocked resource center, offering a wide array of books, journals, and other valuable materials. However, the library came under scrutiny when a tragic incident occurred where the library's balcony collapsed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of a student's life. Following this incident, the library remained closed for several months, triggering protests and causing significant disruptions for individuals seeking to access its resources.

Sports Centre: The CUJ campus has decent sports facilities that include a football field, a cricket ground, a basketball court, a tennis court, and a swimming pool. Students living in the hostel mainly utilize this facility for their recreation. The grounds however are not maintained properly.

Our Take:

CUJ must address its infrastructure concerns comprehensively, particularly given its management of two campuses. Students are experiencing difficulties as one campus seems to be prioritized for development over the other. It is imperative that smart classrooms are made operational, and laboratories are fully functioning on both campuses to ensure a balanced academic experience. Additionally, there is a need for an improvement in the quality and hygiene of the food provided in the hostel mess. Moreover, the university should invest in the development of proper sports facilities and a gym to promote students' fitness and overall well-being.

Central University of Jharkhand Internships and Placements

Many renowned educational institutions and companies extend internship opportunities to students, but only a few of these opportunities come with a stipend. Institutions and companies such as Pantaloons, Big Bazaar, DRDO, ISRO, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, IITs, SAIL, Coal India, among others, typically offer stipends ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 rupees per month. These internships are highly valuable for students, particularly during their final semester, as they can significantly improve the chances of securing a promising job with an attractive salary package.

In terms of placements at CUJ, Ranchi, the university's performance is average. The highest salary packages offered to students typically fall in the range of 5-7 lakhs. However, the average placement package, which stands at 2-3 lakhs, is notably lower compared to industry standards. This can be demotivating for students pursuing various courses at the Central University of Jharkhand. On average, around 50-60% of enrolled students manage to secure placements.

CUJ Placements Data

In 2023, there has been a significant decline of nearly 14% in the highest package offered and it came down to 6.86 lakh per annum from 8 lakh per annum. The number of students placed also dropped drastically and it was 64% less as compared to previous year.

Central University of Jharkhand Top Recruiters

Some of the top recruiters at CUJ, Ranchi are mentioned below. However, these companies also pay average salary packages to the students:

Our Take:

The placement situation at CUJ, Ranchi is a cause for concern. In 2023, there has been a significant decline of nearly 14% in the placement rate, as well as in the highest package offered, compared to previous years. While some reputable companies do conduct placement drives on the campus, the salaries they offer are considerably low. This has left students highly dissatisfied with the university's approach to placements.

Central University of Jharkhand Diversity and Demographics

Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, admits students through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), resulting in a diverse student body hailing from all corners of the country. With a wide array of programs on offer, the university attracts students from various regions across India. However, the gender ratio leans slightly in favor of male students, with a total student population of approximately 1500 on the campus. CUJ maintains a commendable student-teacher ratio. It's worth noting that the data regarding international students at CUJ is not prominently featured on the official website. The presence of students from different regions ensures a rich cultural diversity within the campus, although the local culture predominantly influences the campus environment.

Our Take:

Central University Jharkhand should make concerted efforts to promote diversity among its student body. While students from various states are represented, the campus is predominantly dominated by native domiciles. This lack of diversity can be attributed, in part, to the limited placement opportunities offered by the university. Additionally, there is a pressing need to enhance the university's facilities and improve its ranking, so it can establish a more prominent presence on both national and international platforms.

Central University of Jharkhand Faculty and Management/ Administration

Students at CUJ, Ranchi are fortunate to have access to competent and dedicated faculty members who consistently strive to provide high-quality education. However, there are occasional complaints from students about instances of internal politics that can, at times, affect the teaching quality. It's important to note that such instances involve a minority of teachers. The management and administration at CUJ, Ranchi, are typically characterized as average, as they often require an extended period to address the concerns raised by students. The university's administrative hierarchy, which includes positions like Chancellor, Founding Vice Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Controller of Examination, Finance Officer, and more, plays a role in addressing student issues.

Our Take:

Efforts need to be directed towards channelizing the management and administration at the Central University of Jharkhand to effectively address students' issues. According to student reports, faculties should prioritize teaching and keep politics outside the classroom. While the faculty members are generally characterized by their politeness, the administrative side tends to take an extended period to respond to student concerns.

Central University of Jharkhand Location

The Central University of Jharkhand is situated in Brambe, which is about 25 kilometers from Ranchi city in the state of Jharkhand, India. Ranchi City is well-connected with two major railway stations, namely Ranchi Railway Station and Hatia Railway Station. Additionally, the city is served by Birsa Munda Airport, which caters to domestic flights.

The new campus of the Central University of Jharkhand is located in Cheri-Manatu, roughly 10 kilometers from the main city of Ranchi in the state of Jharkhand, India. The university provides Transportation Services to facilitate commuting between the city limits and the campus. However, students have encountered challenges in reaching the new campus due to the limited availability of proper public transportation options to the university.

Our Take:

One of the primary drawbacks of the Central University of Jharkhand is its campus location. Both the old and new campuses are situated in the outskirts of the main city. This location presents challenges for students who often struggle with commuting to the campus using public transportation, making them heavily reliant on personal vehicles. Nevertheless, the campus is accessible via the main connecting road of the city.

Central University of Jharkhand Expectation vs Reality: Verdict!

The Central University of Jharkhand is making progress but falls slightly short of meeting students' expectations. While the basic infrastructure is serviceable, issues arise in the management of buildings and equipment. Improvements in lab and library facilities are also desirable to benefit a larger number of students. The placement and internship opportunities offered are average, leaving room for enhancement in terms of both salary packages and the quality of recruiting companies. Although it's considered a rising central university, it has yet to establish a prominent reputation. Notably, some seats in specific courses remain unfilled, as students opt for admission in other colleges of their preference