AMRITSAR: The Academic Council of Guru Nanak Dev University held an important meeting in which it was decided that the course titled “Basic Knowledge of Sikhism” will be introduced as a compulsory subject for undergraduate programmes from the academic session 2026–27. The course, prepared by the Guru Nanak Studies Department, will carry two credits.
The decision was taken during the meeting of the Academic Council presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Karamjeet Singh.
The council approved the recommendations of the Board of Control of the Guru Nanak Studies Department, duly endorsed by the Vice-Chancellor, regarding the implementation of the course in various departments of the university.
The course will be taught through the online mode by the Directorate of ODL and Online Studies.During the meeting, it was also decided that the Centre for South Central Asia Studies located on the university campus will be renamed as the Centre for Central Asia.
Studies.Another significant decision taken by the Academic Council was to introduce several common courses through the online mode from the academic session 2026–27 in programmes under the Directorate of ODL and Online Studies. These include Environmental Studies, Drug Abuse Problem Management and Prevention, Human Rights, and Human Values and Understanding Harmony, which are currently taught in universities and affiliated colleges.Addressing the members during the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor said that the Academic Council is an important platform for framing academic policies and improving the curriculum of the university.