Chandigarh, 28 February: Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College, Chandigarh, celebrated the academic achievements of the Batch 2023-24 by awarding 1886 degrees to the post-graduate and graduate students at its 48th Convocation Ceremony. Honourable Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT, Chandigarh, Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria ji presided over the august ceremony. While addressing the audience, the President of the college, Ms. Vaishali Sharma, applauded the teachers and students for following on the path and vision laid down by the Late President, Sh. Upkar Krishan Sharma ji.

Ahead of the conferral of degrees, the college awarded scholarships under the Upkar Krishan Sharma Scholarship Scheme, recognising meritorious and deserving students for the academic session 2025–2026.

Hon’ble Governor Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria, delivering the convocation address, lauded GGDSD College for its academic excellence, particularly its A+ grade by NAAC and 70th rank in the NIRF, and also commended the institution’s consistent achievements in both sports and cultural activities. Emphasising that education must go beyond academics, he said true learning lies in the holistic development of students. Referring to A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the Governor underlined the enduring esteem of the teaching profession, noting that a teacher commands respect even after retirement. Interacting with students, he urged them to value time, remain lifelong learners, conserve electricity, practise humanity and charity, and adopt a collective worldview of “we” instead of “I”, describing these values as the essence of true education. He called upon students to follow the vision of the late President of the college society and build strong character. Appreciating the college’s higher proportion of women faculty and the fact that nearly half of the scholarships awarded were received by girls, the Governor spoke strongly on women empowerment, asserting that women have historically been held back only by lack of opportunity and have always been capable of leading institutions and the nation.

The Principal of the college, Dr. Ajay Sharma, presented the Annual Report 2025-26. During the presentation, Dr. Sharma outlined several notable accomplishments that reflect the institution’s pursuit of excellence. He announced that the college achieved an All India Rank of 70 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) under the Ministry of Education, positioning it among the top 0.002% of colleges nationwide. The college has also been ranked first in the Northern India (except Delhi NCR region) in Outlook, India Today and The Week. The college, affiliated to Panjab University, has been re-accredited with an A+ grade by NAAC. It also holds the status of College with Potential for Excellence by the UGC and is a beneficiary of the DST’s Star College Scheme and Builder Program.

Dr. Sharma further emphasized the college’s outstanding performance in sports and cultural activities. The college won both the Men’s and Women’s Overall Trophies at Panjab University Sports Championships. The Men’s team lifted the Sir Shadi Lal Trophy for the fourth consecutive year, while the Women’s team secured the P. L. Bhains Trophy. Students from the college won the Best Athlete in both Men’s and Women’s team. On the cultural front, the college lifted the Overall Runners-up Trophy at the Panjab University Youth and Heritage Festival (Chandigarh Zone) and secured the second runners-up position at the Inter-Zonal Youth Festival at Hoshiarpur.

Academically, the college secured 45 First positions in University exams. The college conducted 10 national and 2 international seminars during the session, naming Punjab Science Congress and International Seminar on Viksit Bharat theme. The college has been granted Research Centre status in the subjects of Bio-technology, Chemistry, Physics, Commerce and Economics by Panjab University.

Dr. Sharma emphasised the college’s dedication to serve the community through various organisations within the college, notably the SD Aadarsh Foundation which actively performs holistic activities throughout the year. The institution currently runs a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, vocational, diploma, certificate and add-on programmes and successfully implemented the National Education Policy 2020. With around 40 active clubs and associations, the college organised nearly 250 academic and cultural events during the year.

The Institution Innovation Council of the college received a 4-star rating from the Ministry of Education for the third consecutive year. Around 500 students were placed through campus recruitment, with many more securing internships through industry tie-ups.

While delivering he vote of thanks, Dr. Karamjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar urged the attendees to follow on the principles and life of the Late President Sh. Upkar Krishan Sharma ji to be successful.