AMRITSAR: The historic Khalsa College Amritsar has become the first institution in Punjab to receive approval to independently launch its own Ph.D. program. This marks not only a major milestone in the history of the College but also a significant achievement in the higher education landscape of North India.
Guru Nanak Dev University earlier had deputed expert inspection teams to the College and a detailed review of academic, research infrastructure, laboratories, libraries, examination system was made. Following their assessment, the University granted approval to commence Ph.D. programs from academic session 2025–26 in five subjects including Agriculture, Chemistry, Physics, Punjabi, and Zoology in the College.
Principal Dr.Atam Singh Randhawa said the College currently runs nearly 84 undergraduate and postgraduate programs with around 9, 500 students enrolled. On the strength of its academic excellence, the College has earned an A+ grade from NAAC and has also been ranked as Punjab’s top Autonomous College for the fourth consecutive year by Education World.
“Several of our departments are recognized by prestigious institutions such as IAP, ICAR, AICTE, NAAC, and UGC”, said Dr, Randhawa. He thanked Khalsa College Governing Council President Satyajit Singh Majithia and honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina for providing support to run doctoral programs.
He said with the launch of Ph.D. programs, students will have access to new avenues of advanced research in higher education. Dr. Randhawa also thanked Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr. Karamjit Singh, for his support, describing the approval as the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the College.
“Our goal is not limited to classroom teaching alone, but also to foster an environment of research, innovation, and societal contribution. Independent Ph.D. research will empower our students to become leaders in the new global era, ” he said. The announcement has been widely welcomed by alumni of the College, faculty, and widely by the academic community.