Mahendergarh, 04.08.26-The Central University of Haryana (CUH), Mahendergarh, has achieved a significant milestone in the field of research and innovation. Under the Haryana State Research Fund (HSRF), administered by the Haryana State Higher Education Council (HSHEC), six research projects of the University have been sanctioned research grants amounting to more than ₹1.36 crore. The funded projects cover diverse and socially relevant areas, including agriculture, food technology, microbiology, higher education, economics, and journalism & mass communication.

Congratulating the Principal Investigators and research scholars, the Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Haryana, Prof. Tankeshwar Kumar, described the achievement as a testament to the University's strong research culture, commitment to innovation, and focus on socially relevant research. He expressed confidence that the outcomes of these projects would make meaningful contributions to agriculture, food security, environmental sustainability, higher education, and the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Among the sanctioned projects, Prof. Surender Singh, Professor, Department of Microbiology, has been awarded a research grant of ₹40 lakh for his project on developing climate-resilient bacterial bioformulations for sustainable nematode management. The project aims to promote sustainable agriculture through climate-resilient biotechnological interventions.

Prof. Gunjan Goel, Professor, Department of Microbiology, has received a research grant of ₹38.46 lakh for developing postbiotic quantum dot-based food-grade polymers for active packaging films, an innovative technology intended to enhance the safety and shelf life of perishable food products.

Prof. Ashok Kumar Sharma, Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, has been sanctioned ₹17 lakh for a research project that will critically examine the impact of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on higher education in Haryana.
Prof. Ranjan Aneja, Professor, Department of Economics, has been awarded a research grant of ₹26 lakh for his project titled "Digital Agriculture in Haryana: Adoption Dynamics and Policy Imperatives." The study will examine the adoption of digital agriculture in Haryana and recommend policy measures for strengthening technology-driven agricultural development.

In addition, three research scholars of the University have also received HSRF grants. Deepanshu Punyani has been awarded ₹4.99 lakh for developing novel strategies against biofilm-forming proteins, Neha Kanwar Nirwan has received ₹5 lakh for research on secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi, and Surabhi Sharma has been sanctioned ₹4.99 lakh for developing biodegradable active food packaging films based on millets.

The University administration stated that these research grants reaffirm CUH's growing reputation as a centre of excellence in research and innovation. The funded projects are expected to generate high-impact research outcomes while offering practical solutions to challenges in agriculture, food technology, education, and sustainable development