Patna: The 108-year-old Patna University (PU) is witnessing a marked rise in research output, driven by a growing research-friendly environment on campus and the induction of young faculty members from across the country. The shift has brought a steady increase in research projects under the university’s domain.PU academics said nearly one-fourth of the faculty is now engaged in research and publications, focusing on issues of societal relevance, both independently and in collaboration with other institutions.PU internal quality assurance cell (IQAC) director and botany department head Birendra Prasad said the university currently has at least 14 major ongoing research projects funded by central and state agencies, including the University Grants Commission (UGC), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), department of science and technology (DST), department of atomic energy (DAE), Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR). DST is funding seven projects, while UGC-DAE, ICSSR and ICPR are supporting two each, and one project is funded by the UGC.Collaborative research is also gaining ground. For instance, a faculty member from the geology department is working with a faculty member of IIT Patna on a project funded under the CSIR-ASPIRE scheme with a grant of Rs 25 lakh, while another faculty member is collaborating with IIT Delhi.PU is also supporting minor research through internal funding. Prasad said the university provides grants of up to Rs 5 lakh, and so far 36 such projects have been sanctioned with a total outlay of over Rs 1 crore.The rise in research activity has led to increased publications. The number of papers in indexed journals rose from 219 in 2013 to 236 in 2024 and further to 328 in 2025.PU development officer Khagendra Kumar said the university has been included in Category-I institutions under the ‘Partnership for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR)’ programme of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). He added that steps are being taken to strengthen research infrastructure using Rs 100 crore received under the PM-USHA scheme.
