O. P. Jindal Global University

O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is a private deemed university in Sonipat, Haryana, India. It was established in 2009 under the Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Act, 2009.[5] Named after industrialist Om Prakash Jindal, the university was founded by his son, Naveen Jindal.[6] In 2020, JGU was designated an Institute of Eminence by the Government of India.[7]

Rankings

O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has been included in the QS World University Rankings. It was ranked in the 751–800 band in 2020,[8] 651–700 in 2021,[9]

Controversies

campus	Rural‡R3R‡

free label	Institute of Eminence

free	Designated in 2020‡R4R‡

colours	Blue and white

nickname	JGU

website	https://jgu.edu.in

coor	28.9274°N, 77.0564°W

2018–2022 Non-Participation in NIRF

Prior to 2022, JGU faced criticism for opting out of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). The Vice-Chancellor argued that NIRF's methodology did not adequately reflect the university's focus on humanities, social sciences, and professional courses, favoring international rankings like QS World University Rankings instead.[35] JGU later participated in NIRF in 2024, with its Jindal Global Law School ranked as India's top private law university.[36][37]

2023 Professor Sameena Dalwai Privacy Breach

In December 2023, a month after expressing views on the Gaza war, an FIR was filed by the Sonipat Police against Professor Sameena Dalwai for allegedly 'outraging women's modesty' after using the dating app Bumble as a pedagogical tool during a lecture.[38][39] Consequently, more than 500 academics, writers and students signed a statement of solidarity for Professor Dalwai against alleged persecution by the university on account of her Muslim identity and political beliefs.[40][41][39]

2024 Ram Mandir Discussion Protest

In February 2024, Jindal suspended two students, Ramnit Kaur and Mukundan Nair, for organizing a discussion titled "Ram Mandir: A Farcical Project of Brahmanical Hindutva Fascism" on 7 February, hosted by the Revolutionary Students' League, a Marxist student group at the university.[42] Citing "derogatory and provocative statements", the university issued semester-long suspensions and allegedly manhandled the students during hostel evictions, including dragging a student on all fours out of campus grounds by security.[43][44][45] Over 150 students protested on 15 February, demanding reinstatement and an apology, among other demands relating to academic freedom on campus.[45]

2024 Non-Residential LL.M. Programme Concerns

In 2024, JGU's one-year LL.M. programme, offered in partnership with upGrad, faced scrutiny for its non-residential, blended learning format. The Bar Council of India (BCI) and University Grants Commission (UGC) do not recognize non-residential, Open and Distance Learning (ODL), or fully online LL.M. programmes for legal practice in India, raising concerns about their validity.[46][47] Some students reported dissatisfaction, citing misleading information from upGrad counselors and inadequate university support.[48]

2024 Distance Education Misrepresentation

In 2024, JGU faced criticism after third-party websites advertised its programmes as distance education, despite UGC guidelines prohibiting JGU from offering courses in this mode. The university clarified that it does not provide distance learning programmes, causing confusion among prospective students.[49]

2024 AI-Generated Content Suspension

In 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court addressed a case involving Kaustubh Anil Shakkarwar, an LLM student suspended for submitting AI-generated content in an assignment. On 22 October 2024, the court set aside the suspension, ruling that the disciplinary process lacked fairness due to insufficient notice and hearing, and directed the university to reconsider the case.[50]

motto	A Private University Promoting Public Service
established	2009
type	Private deemed university
affiliation	University Grants Commission
chancellor	Naveen Jindal‡R1R‡
vice chancellor	C. Raj Kumar‡R2R‡
city	Sonipat
state	Haryana
country	India

O. P. Jindal Global University

Rankings

Student initiatives

Legal aid clinic

Moot court society

Blended learning