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Pt. Sundarlal Sharma (Open) University, Chhattisgarh, India

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🌟 Enlightening Horizons: The Story of Pt. Sundarlal Sharma (Open) University, Chhattisgarh

Introduction

Nestled in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Pt. Sundarlal Sharma (Open) University—commonly referred to as PSSOU—is a pioneering state open university dedicated to bringing higher education to underserved and remote regions. Established in 2005, it honors the legacy of freedom fighter Pandit Sundarlal Sharma, aiming to democratize learning through distance and open learning modes. This article explores the university’s foundation, structure, offerings, facilities, academic excellence, research contributions, student support services, reputation, and more.

1. Establishment & History

1.1 Legal Foundation

PSSOU was founded by the Chhattisgarh Legislature under the Pandit Sundarlal Sharma (Open) University Chhattisgarh Act, 2004, and came into being in 2005 through formal inauguration attended by dignitaries including former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh (Wikipedia).

1.2 Naming Legacy

The university is named after Pandit Sundarlal Sharma (1881–1940), a social reformer and freedom fighter from Chhattisgarh known for leading the Nahar Satyagraha in 1920 and advancing social consciousness in the region (Wikipedia).

1.3 Leadership & Growth

Since its inception, the university has been led by respected individuals such as:

  • Dr. T. D. Sharma (VC, 2005–2010)
  • Dr. A. R. Chandraker (VC, 2010–2015)
  • Dr. B. G. Singh (appointed VC in 2015 and continuing) (Wikipedia).

Over the years, PSSOU expanded its infrastructure, launched regional centres in places such as Bilaspur, Raipur, Ambikapur, Durg, Jashpur, and Jagdalpur, and now spans approximately 70 acres (Wikipedia).

2. Affiliations & Accreditation

  • Recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC)
  • Approved by Distance Education Board (DEB)
  • Approved by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) (Shiksha)
  • Member of Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and DELNET (Developing Library Network) (Shiksha)
  • Accredited with an A+ grade by NAAC (Shiksha)

These credentials solidify PSSOU’s status as a recognized, high-quality open learning institution.

3. Faculties & Courses Offered

3.1 Faculties & Departments

PSSOU comprises multiple faculties and departments:

  • Faculty of Arts (English, Hindi, Library Science, Sanskrit, Mass Communication)
  • Faculty of Science & Technology (Maths, Computer Science, etc.)
  • Faculty of Social Sciences (Political Science, Sociology, Public Admin, Social Work)
  • Faculty of Commerce
  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Computer Science (DCA, PGDCA, BCA)
  • Faculty of Yoga, Jyotish & Vastu (Wikipedia)

3.2 Academic Programs

PSSOU offers a wide range of programmes via open and distance mode:

Undergraduate

  • B.A. (multiple subjects including education, mass communication, languages)
  • B.Sc. (Botany, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science)
  • B.Com.
  • BBA
  • B.Lib.I.Sc.
  • B.Ed. (distance) (Campus Option, CollegeBatch.com)

Postgraduate

  • M.A. (Sociology, Political Science, English, Hindi, History etc.)
  • M.Sc. (Mathematics)
  • M.Com.
  • MSW
  • PG Diploma and Diploma programmes e.g. PG Diploma in HR, Marketing, Tourism & Management, PGDCA (Campus Option)

Research and Certificate Courses

  • Ph.D. programmes (with eligibility via CSIR‑UGC NET or university departmental tests) (Careers360)
  • Vocational or certificate programs such as GST, Yoga, elementary education (CollegeBatch.com, Campus Option)

Course Statistics

4. Campus Facilities

PSSOU’s campus infrastructure supports both in-person administrative functions and student learning in regional centres:

4.1 Library & Learning Resources

  • Large reference library with books, journals, magazines, encyclopedias
  • Digital access via computers, online research databases, DELNET resources (Collegedunia)

4.2 ICT & Classrooms

  • Computer labs with internet access
  • Smart classrooms and multimedia-equipped learning spaces (Careers360)

4.3 Other On‑Campus Amenities

  • Auditorium, cafeteria/canteen
  • Guest rooms and waiting areas
  • Health facility: visiting doctor, on-campus pharmacy, free medicines to staff and students (CollegeBatch.com)
  • Separate hostel facilities for male and female students (CollegeBatch.com)
  • Wi-Fi across campus (Collegedunia)

5. Career Development & Placement Cell

5.1 Objectives & Establishment

  • Established in 2016, PSSOU’s Career Development & Placement Cell aims to bridge students and employers, facilitate placements, and support alumni (CollegeBatch.com).

5.2 Activities & Services

  • Career counseling sessions throughout the year
  • Placement drives, interview preparation, resume workshops
  • Employer engagement and on-campus recruitment support (College Vidya)

5.3 Outcomes & Impact

According to reviews:

  • Around 20–30% of students benefit from placement camps annually
  • Monthly salary packages range from INR 15,000 to INR 30,000
  • Top recruiters include companies like Google, HCL, American Express, Honeywell, Moglix etc.
  • Students report an average 50% increase in salary opportunities and three‑fold rise in interview opportunities post‑interaction with the Cell (Shiksha, College Vidya).

6. Academic Excellence & Research Activities

6.1 Scholarly Output

PSSOU ranks in indices such as the AD Scientific Index 2025: among ~18,600 global institutions it is ranked roughly 13,235th overall; among public universities in India, approximately 1,116th; H‑index ~2,333; citations ~13,235 (adscientificindex.com).

6.2 Research Community & Faculty

  • Notable scholars such as Dr. Pushkar Dubey, Assistant Professor & Head of Management, with multiple publications and research projects in HR, workplace spirituality, etc. (ResearchGate)
  • Faculties across disciplines actively publish in social sciences, management, tourism, education and distance education studies (adscientificindex.com, ResearchGate).

6.3 Infrastructure for Research

PSSOU provides:

  • Online subscriptions to research journals
  • Media and science labs, statistical databases
  • Data curation facilities and resource sharing through digital networks (e.g., DELNET) (CollegeBatch.com).

7. Notable Alumni

While specific famous alumni are not widely publicized, PSSOU has a growing network of graduates employed in business, public service, education, and NGOs—many benefiting from the university’s flexible distance programmes and placement cell connections (College Vidya, Shiksha).

8. Reputation, Rankings & Awards

8.1 Accreditation & Standing

  • NAAC A+ grade underscores strong institutional performance in quality parameters (Shiksha, Careers360).
  • Recognized by multiple regulatory bodies (UGC, DEB, AICTE, NCTE), reinforcing its legitimacy in higher education (Shiksha).

8.2 Rankings

  • In 2025, according to AD Scientific Index:
    • World rank ~13,235
    • Asia rank ~6,730
    • India rank ~3,650
    • Among public universities in India, rank ~1,116
    • Strong H‑index and citation profile (adscientificindex.com).

Compared to other open universities, while not ranked by NIRF, its A+ accreditation and broad course portfolio earn PSSOU solid recognition.

8.3 Awards & Milestones

  • Though specific awards are not widely reported, the high accreditation status and multiple affiliations indicate institutional recognition by national bodies
  • Active MoUs (reportedly 23 as of 2025) with educational and training partners boosting academic outreach (Shiksha).

9. Career Development & Student Support

Reiterating the role of the Career Development & Placement Cell: supports students via counseling, workshops, placements, and fostering stronger industry‑academic links. Outcomes include higher interview visibility and measurable salary uplift (College Vidya, Shiksha).

The university also benefits from SC/ST scholarships and state‑sponsored minority scholarships enhancing access to weaker sections students (Campus Option).

10. Contact Details & Address

11. Summary & Conclusion

Pt. Sundarlal Sharma (Open) University stands out as a state‑supported open university committed to making higher education accessible across Chhattisgarh. With:

  • Strong legislative backing and name honouring a regional hero,
  • Robust UGC, NAAC A+, AICTE, NCTE, DEB recognitions,
  • Diverse UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, and Ph.D. programmes,
  • Well‑equipped campus & regional centres, supportive facilities (library, labs, hostels, health services),
  • A Career Development & Placement Cell boosting employability,
  • Active research environment with measurable outputs and faculty publications,
  • Rising reputation nationally and regionally (per AD Scientific rankings),

PSSOU plays a vital role in bridging educational gaps—especially for working professionals, rural learners, and tribal communities—through flexible, credible, and cost‑effective open learning.

Key Highlights (At a glance)

  • Established: 2005 (Chhattisgarh Legislature Act, 2004)
  • Campus: ~70 acres, with multiple regional centres
  • Accreditation: UGC, DEB, AICTE, NCTE; NAAC A+
  • Course Offerings: 30–40+ UG/PG/Diploma/PhD
  • Facilities: Library, smart classrooms, labs, hostels, health services
  • Placement: Active cell since 2016; 20–30% placement rate; salary range ₹15K–30K/month
  • Research: Publications, H‑index ~2,333; AD Scientific Index ranking
  • Scholarships: SC/ST & minority support
  • Contact: Bilaspur – 495009; Phone: 07752‑240712 etc.; Email: registrar@pssou.ac.in

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