GetMyUni's Verdict on Banasthali Vidyapith

Preyoti Dey

“Imparting a distinct form of education with strong academic roots, Banasthali Vidyapith aims to produce independent women with rooted spiritualistic beliefs. But, are the uncompromising values of Banasthali worth sacrificing one's free and easy lives?”

Banasthali Vidyapith was started in 1935 and is built on the premises of ‘Panchmukhi Shiksha’ which aims to educate students with Physical, Practical, Aesthetic, Moral and Intellectual knowledge. While most Universities in India are looking at westernising education with high-end infrastructure and global partnerships, Banasthali Vidyapith is rooted in Indian culture, and supports Nationalism.

Per various online search portal reports, students reportedly lead an undecorated college life under the so-called ‘authoritarian’ regime of the school. Strict dress codes limited to only khadi, little access to the digital world and lack of extracurriculars are the most prominent drawbacks of the Institution. However, when it comes to the course curriculum and academics, Banasthali has been rated higher than top universities like DU by students.

Banasthali Vidyapith has also come into the spotlight many times due to its limited placement opportunities. Besides Engineering courses, placements are almost dormant in other departments like Biotechnology and Bioscience. Let’s assess if all the perseverance, hard-work and compromise is worth pursuing a course at Banasthali Vidyapith.

Table of Contents

• Classical Campus
• Queen of Academics
• Diverse and Inclusive Ambience
• Obligatory Khadi Ensemble  
• An Independent Hostel Life
• Strict Code of Conduct
• Safe Haven for Girls
• Panch-mukhi Shiksha
• Average Placement Records
• Reasons to Select Banasthali Vidyapith

Classical Campus

Banasthali Vidyapith is well known for its 850 acre lush campus in the midst of the Thar Desert. Although the campus is located only 78 kilometres away from Jaipur, students can expect to breathe cleaner air due to the rich flora and fauna and low population density. The structure of the campus is simple, divided into a semi-urban University, School and Residential division. Students learn to help themselves with basic amenities provided by Banasthali. 

Queen of Academics

Banasthali Vidyapith’s agenda is to provide students with holistic knowledge. They do so by creating an academic atmosphere which focuses on education, books, skill-building and learning. Students can select from a plethora of specialisations in BA, BSc, MA, MBA, B.Tech, M.Phil and more. 

Fees are comparatively higher at Banasthali, than in public colleges. The average total fees at the University is INR 79,000. Faculty at Banasthali is highly educated and knowledgeable, and possess expert level teaching skills. Students do not feel that they are deprived of external academic support, due to the impeccable teaching methods and course curriculum. 

Teachings are not only limited to books at Banasthali. Lectures are interactive, and teachers go an extra mile in providing additional study material and resources to its students. However, one of the major disadvantages of the academic scenario at the University is the lack of exposure, in terms of seminars with guest lecturers and industry pundits, as per the students' insights.

Due to the strict academic environment, students often feel underconfident when appearing for national level entrance examinations, such as GATE, CUET, CAT, XAT, NMAT etc. This may sometimes leave a question unanswered in the student’s mind if all the knowledge gained during their tenure was ever enough?

Diverse and Inclusive Ambience

Banasthali Vidyapith is a women centric University, with its door open for candidates from all backgrounds irrespective of ethnicity, caste or physical disabilities. The campus is built to accommodate students with special needs. Special teaching methods are employed to educate students with hearing disabilities.

Students get to socialise with peers from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds during their time at Banasthali, making it a unique experience. The aim of the college is to treat each student with equal respect and dignity and strongly discourages mistreatment of students due to their external factors.

Obligatory Khadi Ensemble  

Banasthali Vidyapith’s strict ‘Khadi-only’ dress code has been a cause of major uproar among students. While the central principle surrounding the strict dress code is to promote the khadi industry, many find the rule overbearing. 

• One will notice that students are particularly dressed in khadi suits, salwars and pants at the campus.
• Departments have separate dress codes which may require an additional dupatta and may not even permit pants. 
• Inside the hostel, students have the liberty to wear other forms of clothing except sleeveless and short attires. 
• During festivals female students are allowed to wear full-length party wear.
• Modest western wear is permitted when students depart for their homes.
• The University does not encourage students to wear jewellery.

An Independent Hostel Life

Banasthali Vidyapith is a residential institution. Students are allotted rooms at the hostel after the admission process is completed. Here are the highlights of the hostel accommodation,

• There are two room types, 3 seater and 4 seater.
• Rooms are big, spacious and well-lit.
• Internet services are provided in the hostel, however students complain that the server is down most of the time.
• Limited bathrooms, causing long ques early in the morning is an area of distress.
• No house-keeping services are provided, therefore students are in-charge of cleaning their designated rooms, doing laundry, and cleaning the dishes. 
• Newspapers are provided to students.

Home-style Mess Food 

The Banasthali Vidyapith mess is applauded for serving home-style, hygienic, balanced meals for its students. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner services are provided for students. Food served include milk, curd, sabzi and local snacks. However, students find the costs exorbitant for simple vegetarian food.

Strict Code of Conduct

Admission to Banasthali is strictly given to unmarried women candidates, having said that there are numerous rules and regulations which apply on campus. Some of which are:

• Married students are provided admission to PG courses only on special circumstances. 
• Enrollers must take admission at the college Hostel, unless staying with guardians on the Vidyapith campus.
• The Chief warden is the local guardian for all hostelers.
• All correspondence by the students must be via hostel.
• Students are prohibited from visiting staff quarters without prior permission. 
• Students are advised to buy the uniform and blazer from the Khadi Bhandar.
• Breaching any rules will have serious consequences like cancellation of hostel seats.

Safe Haven for Girls

Students have exclaimed that the best feature of the campus is its security, with female guards patrolling the campus round the clock. Boarders are encouraged to stay on-campus and require special written applications to venture out for special occasions or visit a parent. Some of the key security protocols include:

• Students are advised to stay in their accommodations after 8 PM.
• Male visitors are not allowed inside the hostel. 
• All vehicles are scrutinised and noted off before entering the campus. 

Panch-mukhi Shiksha

The emphasis on five aspects of education at Banasthali stands true, as students compliment the University’s efforts on emphasising and encouraging students to be physically, mentally and aesthetically active.  

The college truly provides an experience of a lifetime to its students by administering Intramural programmes like Yoga, Marshal Arts, Aerobics, Archery and more. Authorities often conduct inter house competitions where students display a wide range of skills like sword fighting, Lezium, Lathi etc. 

Girls will acquire unique learning experiences such as Horse Riding, Rifle Shooting and flying. Banasthali conducts extramural programmes like inter-university competitions, open tournaments, women festival competitions and others are conducted annually. 

Average Placement Records

Most departments at Banasthali have recorded low placement rates, except the Faculties of Management and Engineering. Internship opportunities are scarce, due to low collaborative efforts from the University’s end. 

Students with good grades may find themselves land interviews with big companies like TCS Digital, Accenture, Dell, HSBC and others. Students must note that although the University offers placement assistance, there is no guarantee extended from Banathali. 

Reasons to Select Banasthali Vidyapith

Banasthali Vidyapith is a nationalist institute with some radical rules and regulations meant towards providing students a life of self-reliance, spiritual values and balance. The way of life at Banasthali is not cut out for all. 

Very few can withstand the rigid lifestyle followed at the Vidyapith. But what brings them to this institution is the five-fold education belief, where curriculum, sports and well-being are given priority. Some of the major pros and cons are, 

*Source: banasthali_vidyapith_official Instagram