Chaudhary Devi Lal University, named after Chaudhary Devi Lal, the former Deputy Prime Minister of India was established by the Government of Haryana on 2 April 2003. The University, located at Sirsa 256 km from Delhi and 285 km from Chandigarh, has area of on the Barnala Road. The University has 24 academic departments, which offer 21 career oriented and specialized courses to the students. It also offers job-oriented courses through distance education.
University history and facilities
Established on 2nd April, 2003, CDLU, Sirsa is named after Jan Nayak Chaudhary Devi Lal, the former Deputy Prime Minister of India and the former Chief Minister of Haryana. This University, set up by the Government of Haryana under Act 9 of 2003 passed by the State Legislature, has a sprawling campus of 213 Acre, 4 Kanal, 12 Marla at Barnala Road, Sirsa.
The university has four Teaching Blocks, labs, Vivekananda Library, five hostels for boys and girls, Media Centre with a Community Radio Station, a Multi Purpose Hall and auditorium, Shopping complex, University Health Centre and the branch of a nationalized bank, Guest House, Vice Chancellor‘s residence and 144 houses for the teaching and non-teaching staff. Fourth teaching block is near completion, besides extension of other buildings.
The university at present has (approx.) 62 colleges affiliated to it. The total enrollment of students in UTDs, University College and Affiliated Colleges crosses 42000. 24 Teaching Departments in the University offers 37 academic programmes under budgeted mode and Self Financing System and the University College offers five UG Programmes in the area of Technology, Management, Commerce, Law, Journalism and Mass Communication, Humanities, Social Sciences, Science and Education. Well-known, reputed and experienced academicians and professionals have been associated in preparing the academic curriculum of different programmes as per the guidelines of the UGC and other regulatory bodies. Teachers of the university have wide national and international exposure.
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL FOR GRADUATE STUDIES (USGS)
National Education Policy (NEP) -2020 has provided an impetus to the changing horizons of Higher Education. The University has established University School for Undergraduate Studies (USGS) in Teaching Block-IV (Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Bhawan) in order to start new programmes for tuning ourselves to the latest state-of-the-art in Higher Education. UCGS will focus on Four Year Degree Programmes (FYDP) to strengthen the graduate studies especially on designing, developing, execution of market and industry oriented demand. To benefit students, society and faculty, the UCGS is destined to start undergraduate programmes based on Learning Outcomes Curriculum Framework and as per NEP-2020 such as: (i) B.Com. Banking & Insurance, (ii) B.Com. Fintech & Financial Markets, (iii) B.Com. Derivatives & Risk Management, (iv) B.Sc. Data Science, (v) B.Sc. Mathematics, (vi) B.Sc. Physics, (vii) B.A. Economics & Finance. In addition, there is a 1-year programme namely (viii) Bachelor of Library & Information Science (B.LIS).
UNIVERSITY CENTRE FOR OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND EXTENSION (UCOPE)
Ambitious Metamorphosis of the University can be achieved by way of establishing a couple of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs); one of them is the University Centre for Outreach Programs and Extension (UCOPE) which has been recently established in Teaching Block-IV (Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Bhawan) of the university.
CENTRE FOR RURAL STUDIES (CRS)
Chaudhary Devi Lal University Sirsa is located in the rural hinterland and therefore considered to be educationally backward. The economic life of the university's catchment area in the Sirsa and Fatehabad districts (the colleges of these districts are affiliated to this University) of Haryana state, Bhatinda, Mansa and Barnala districts of Punjab state and Hanumangarh and Sri Ganga Nagar districts of Rajasthan primarily dependents upon on agriculture activities. The university's rural demographic character necessitates conducting and promoting studies in rural affairs. Thus, the rationale for setting up the Centre for Rural Studies. The Centre will be headed by a Director (equivalent to the rank of Professor and should have experience of rural affairs related research studies) with adequate staff and own office. The UCRS will:
a) Prepare, develop and deliver academic programs focusing on rural affairs.
b) Promote research in rural affairs.
c) Institute award for excellent research work in rural affairs.