GetMyUni's Verdict on Central University of Rajasthan

Parvathy Krishnakumar

"Central University of Rajasthan is consistently ranked among the top universities in the country for some of its programs and specialisations. Yet, its inconsistency in the quality of education and limited access to good placement opportunities make students second-guess their admission."

With a decent academic environment and developing infrastructure, Central University of Rajasthan is regarded as one of the top universities in the state. Though they have limited programs at the undergraduate level, the university is up-and-coming for research-oriented students. However, the limited resources, inconsistent placement records and irregular bureaucratic structure can make it a challenging experience for students. 

As per the students' reviews on online platforms, the aspirants are advised to choose the university only if they are left with no option to join the top national and private institutes, as the education provided here is less beneficial compared to the other institutes. Nevertheless, the university's significantly lower course fee structure attracts students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The university is also yet to achieve high placement rates as only specific courses obtain reasonable placement offers, making it inconsistent across different departments.

Like the placement opportunities, the quality of professors and the facilities available vary across different courses. Another primary concern raised by students is the unavailability of proper water supply, which the university is working towards rectifying as well. Overall, the university offers a mixed bag of academic experiences, with some aspects shining brightly and others requiring improvement.  

Table of Contents

• More Scope for Higher Studies
• Mixture of Professors
• Above Average Infrastructure
• Affordable & Convenient Hostels
• Limited Yet Interesting Campus Life
• Inconsistent Placement Opportunities
• Overall Impression of Central University of Rajasthan

More Scope for Higher Studies

As mentioned above, the university offers limited undergraduate programs, yet it provides a plethora of disciplines and courses at the postgraduate and doctoral levels. The university is also famous for its integrated courses of 5 years across various Science disciplines. It offers only Engineering programs at the undergraduate level, and the specialisation for the B.Tech programs is very limited.

The postgraduate programs at the university are known for their cutting-edge curriculum, renowned faculty members and remarkable research facilities. Students have the opportunity to gain expertise in different fields through advanced theoretical and practical concepts, which prepare them to excel in the field of research and academia. The university offers postgraduate programs across various disciplines, such as Arts, Science, Pharmacy, Architecture, Commerce, Technology and Management.

The master's programs offered by the university that are consistently ranked among the top programs in the country are listed below. These programs are known for their rigorous academic curriculum, research collaborations and excellent placement opportunities for graduate students. Additionally, students have mentioned that the programs provide them with valuable skills and critical thinking abilities and prepare them for real-world challenges.

The university also encourages students for interdisciplinary learning by providing them chances to opt for electives and collaborate with students from other disciplines. This helps them broaden their horizons and foster creative and critical thinking. The university also offers several modern courses along with the traditional programs. 

Apart from the regular 2-year master's programs, the university also offers a Postgraduate Diploma program in Media Writing and Digital Communication. Additionally, the university also offers integrated M.Sc B.Ed programs of 3 years across Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Economics.

Along with the programs mentioned above, the institute is popularly known for its integrated M.Sc programs of 5 years, which enables students to graduate with both bachelor's and master's degree certificates in one go.

The university boasts of its research orientation, providing students with ample opportunities to participate in ongoing as well as personal research projects. The university offers the necessary facilities and resources for students to engage in research in the field of their choice. Following are some of the highly recommended specialisations for PhD programs.

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Mathematics

From the programs and specialisations mentioned above, it is evident that some departments are more appreciated than others. In any case, students are encouraged to conduct research about the courses they are interested in by connecting with the subject experts and past students to learn more about the academic and career prospects of the particular course. Though the education provided by the university is not at the same level as the other top institutes in the country, it offers a decent curriculum that forms a good foundation for students to pursue their careers or higher studies.

Course Fee Structure

As previously mentioned, the course fee structure at the university is significantly lower than the private universities in the country. The course fees, however, vary depending on the program type, level and specialisation. It is different for each semester of the course as well.

Based on the latest structure, the tuition fee per semester for B.Tech programs is INR 66,915 for the first two semesters, INR 73,610 for the third and fourth semesters, and INR 80,075 for the last four semesters. The semestrial tuition fees for postgraduate programs, such as M.Sc, MA, M.Arch, and M.Tech programs, range between INR 2420 and INR 15,980. It is between INR 2420 and INR 3555 for B.Sc B.Ed integrated courses and integrated M.Sc programs. 

In addition to the tuition fees, students must pay various other fees, which include the initial admission fee, library fees, laboratory fees, hostel fees and additional miscellaneous fees. In order to provide financial support to students from underrepresented backgrounds, the university offers several scholarships based on merit and category of the students.

Attendance Policy

The university has strict rules and regulations regarding the attendance of students. It mandates students to maintain a minimum attendance of 75% in the theory and practical classes across all subjects. If the students fail to attain the minimum attendance percentage, they will be restricted from appearing in the end-semester examinations. Additionally, they will be subject to disciplinary action based on how low their attendance percentage is.

Mixture of Professors

Like in all universities, the professors at CURAj are also a mixed bag with highly qualified and freshly graduated professors. Several professors at the university hold doctoral degrees from renowned universities and years of teaching and research experience, which helps them provide enriching learning experiences to their students. According to most students, the professors across some departments, especially the Arts, Science and Engineering disciplines, are dedicated to providing the necessary knowledge and resources for students to excel in their respective fields.

However, students have also reported that there are inconsistencies in the teaching methods employed by the professors across departments and even within the same department. While some professors incorporate teaching methods that go beyond the traditional lectures by including real-world examples, multimedia, group discussions and other interactive activities, some professors are still stuck to the conventional techniques and lack practical communication skills. Thus, the quality of teaching varies considerably across different disciplines.

Some professors are known to be passionate about their subjects and encourage students to engage with ongoing research projects. They are willing to answer questions related to their programs and provide the required insights for those who are interested in starting their own ventures. The professors themselves are actively involved in research activities and are well-connected with the industry, which helps them pass on relevant knowledge and updated skills to their students.

Students have mentioned that it may be difficult to connect with some professors beyond the classrooms, making it challenging for them to seek clarification or additional support regarding their projects. 

Overall, students have high regard for their professors, and they are generally satisfied with the teaching and learning experience. However, there are a few professors in particular departments who are not as encouraging or enthusiastic as the others. This might raise an issue of inconsistency. Nevertheless, the top-ranked departments have renowned professors who provide the necessary support for students to develop their academic and professional skills. 

Above Average Infrastructure

Spread across a vast area of land, the university has an elaborate infrastructure that consists of all the necessary facilities and amenities to cater to the academic and extracurricular needs of the students. Even though certain areas require improvements, the university is in the process of making the necessary changes to ensure students have all the facilities and resources to enable their overall development. 

The university's infrastructure presents a complex picture with a spacious campus, impressive architecture, well-equipped academic facilities, and inadequate amenities, with some areas that require attention and maintenance. However, the university is said to be working on improving the infrastructure.

The classrooms are spacious and smartly equipped with projectors, whiteboards and other audio-visual equipment to enable interactive learning. The classrooms are generally well-maintained and updated. Yet, certain buildings show signs of wear and tear, requiring promt repairing. The university has departmental laboratories that are well-equipped to provide the necessary facilities and instruments to ensure students have a wholesome, practical learning experience. While the conditions of some laboratories are better than others, the university has made the necessary changes to include more updated practical learning facilities. 

The central library at the university has an extensive collection of books, theses, research papers, journal papers and other resources to provide the students with the required information to support their studies and research. The library also offers ample online resources, such as e-books, e-journals, and online databases. Though students have reported that the systems used in the library were not working correctly, it has hence been rectified. There are smaller departmental libraries available in respective buildings to offer additional information for specific areas of study. 

The university is known for its well-facilitated sports complex, which consists of separate fields and courses for each sport, such as football, basketball, cricket, volleyball, etc. The university also has a newly added well-equipped gymnasium to encourage the students to maintain their physical health while obtaining their degrees.

The university has a canteen that is catered by a private vendor. Different types of food and beverages are available at this canteen at affordable prices. Students have said that the canteen is their primary hangout spot where they spend hours with their friends. However, food and water problems are occurring frequently.

There is a separate non-vegetarian counter and tea stall located within the university campus as well. The canteen is generally clean, and food is served hygienically, though the taste and quality of the food are sometimes compromised. 

Overall, the university campus is average at best. The infrastructure includes the necessary facilities, but some areas are poorly maintained and outdated. It does not come close to the private universities in the country, but students are generally satisfied with the university's infrastructure.

Affordable & Convenient Hostels

The university offers housing facilities for both male and female students. The experiences may vary significantly based on the type of hostel and personal expectations of the students. While the hostels are highly affordable and conveniently placed, students have frequently raised concerns regarding the limited facilities, food quality at the mess and general maintenance of the hostel buildings.

The hostels, however, instil a sense of community among the students, with people from diverse backgrounds coming together and living under one roof. Students also have the liberty to personalise their rooms through paintings and other customisations. 

The university has several types of hostels, which include single and shared occupancy rooms, with the availability of air-conditioned rooms. Basic facilities, such as beds, tables, chairs, cupboards, etc., are available per person, and almost all rooms have separate balconies. All the hostels have Wi-FI connectivity, but the speed may not be as fast. In any case, the hostel fees are significantly lower when compared to the private universities, which makes it an enticing option for students who belong to different backgrounds.

The hostels are located conveniently close to the academic facilities, with easy access to the classrooms, laboratories and library. The university has included more hostel blocks, which have newer facilities and amenities. The common areas within the hostels are generally well-kept and clean. However, students have reported several issues regarding the inconsistent availability of proper water supply and leakage issues in the plumbing. Though there are water coolers on every floor in all the hostels, students sometimes complain about the lack of proper drinking water availability. 

According to the reviews on online forums, students have said that most hostels lack recreational facilities and common areas. This limits the leisure options and social interaction among students. However, the newly built hostels include a well-equipped gymnasium where students can work out at their convenience.

Timely meals are served thrice a day. The reviews have mentioned the food quality in a mess, with concerns regarding hygiene and cleanliness. They have also mentioned the lack of variety in the menu options. The meals are served in dining areas in each hostel.

The safety and security of the students are assured by the security guards present at all gates 24/7. Along with that, the university hostels have strict rules and regulations regarding the curfew, guest visiting, etc., which ensures the overall safety of the students.

As previously mentioned, the primary reason why students prefer the hostels available within the university campus is its affordable fees. The semestrial hostel fees typically range from INR 3000 to INR 5000 based on the availability of facilities, room type and occupancy. The hostel fees for rooms with attached bathrooms are slightly more expensive, which ranges from INR 5000 to INR 6000.

The independent hostels have single occupancy rooms with attached bathrooms, and the hostel fees fall between INR 7000 and INR 10,000. Only a few rooms are available where air-conditioning is provided, and the hostel fees for such rooms are significantly higher than the regular rooms. The hostel fees for such rooms range between INR 12,000 and INR 15,000 per semester. 

In addition to the semestrial hostel fees, the students are required to pay an admission fee of INR 2,160 at the time of admission. They must also pay a refundable deposit of INR 6600. Apart from that, there are additional fees for the mess, which is between INR 2000 and INR 3000 yielded every semester based on the meal plan chosen by the student.

Apart from the on-campus housing facilities, students can also opt for PGs and private hostels available within the premises of the university. The monthly rents of these PGs vary depending on the room type and luxuries provided. Typically, the monthly rents for PGs range between INR 2500 and INR 11,000. 

Limited Yet Interesting Campus Life

Although there are not many organised events or recreational activities on the campus, the university has relatively extracurricular activities that provide students with a fair chance at gaining a holistic college experience. The university has a plethora of student-led clubs and societies that cater to different interests, ranging from cultural and literary activities to tech and sports-related activities. These clubs and societies provide students with the opportunity to pursue their interests and hobbies alongside academics. 

The clubs and societies at the university organise several competitions and events that provide students with the opportunity to explore their passions, develop leadership skills and build long-lasting relationships with like-minded individuals. The annual events hosted by the university also provide students with the platform to showcase their talents and abilities in music, dance, drama and other visual arts. 

The university has a well-maintained and updated sports complex that allows students to practice and participate in various sports and games. It also organises multiple inter-departmental competitions and tournaments that foster a sense of healthy competitive spirit within the students and provide multiple opportunities for students to pursue their athletic passions. 

The university also conducts celebrations of different festivals that enable students to come together as a community and celebrate the diversity of the country. Though there are fewer co-curricular activities organised by the university, students have an enriching campus experience through these limited activities and events. 

As the university is located on the outskirts of the city, students have limited access to urban amenities, such as shopping malls, entertainment halls, etc. However, there are picturesque places around the campus where students often visit and spend time with their friends.

Diversity on Campus

Though the university attracts aspirants from various regions across the country, the student body mainly consists of students from the Northern side. Even then, the university had students from multiple cultures and traditions. The predominantly used language on campus is Hindi. Students from different parts of the country celebrate various festivals together, which helps them get exposure to diverse cultures and traditions, regardless of their religion, region, etc.

However, in terms of the gender ratio, the university has more male students than female students. Yet, the special cells at the university work towards including more female students and minority categories to ensure there is enough there is proper representation.

Dress Code

The university does not have a pre-defined uniform, but it has a set of strict rules regarding the dress code on campus. Students must abide by the rules set by the university for the dress code while appearing for the theory and practical classes and also while on the university campus. They are expected to wear modest and appropriate clothes, and prohibited from wearing clothes with obscene images, etc. 

Inconsistent Placement Opportunities

Even though the university has a dedicated placement cell, not many reputed companies participate in job fairs or placement drives held on campus. Hence, the placement rates at the university are significantly lower than that of the other colleges and universities in the country. Based on the previous years years trends, more postgraduate students receive good placements than undergraduate students. Even then, according to last year's placement rate, only around 39% of the students from doctoral programs received reasonable placement offers.

Though the university offers courses across several disciplines, students have mentioned that the lack of an updated curriculum and the remote location of the university have affected receiving good placement opportunities. Only certain companies participate in the drives held on campus every year. Students who are not adequately trained for the ever-evolving industrial demands or obtain specific skills have significantly impacted the placement rates. 

In any case, the university attracts various companies across different sectors, such as IT and software development, consulting, educational institutions, banking, financial services, manufacturing, etc. Based on the previous year's statistics, the median salary package offered to 2-year postgraduate students was INR 2.63 LPA, and INR 1.03 LPA for around 17% of students from 3-year postgraduate programs.

Overall Impression of Central University of Rajasthan

Offering a decent academic curriculum and research opportunities, the Central University of Rajasthan is among the top universities in the country. There are several drawbacks to the university, which include the inconsistency in the quality of professors across different disciplines, infrastructure facilities available and career opportunities. Though the degree certificate obtained from the university holds a particular value, students have limited possibilities for a well-rounded campus experience.

Located in a remote location, there is limited exposure to urban life, and only a few companies and organisations participate in the placement drives held on campus. This limits students from obtaining urban exposure and receiving successful placement opportunities. Along with that, it has strict rules and regulations, which may seem restrictive to students.

Nevertheless, the university has a strict academic atmosphere with less emphasis on extracurricular activities. The affordable course fees and hostel fee structure also attract students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Aspirants are advised to look for better options before they finalise their admission at CURaj. It is an ideal university for those who are left with no other option or for those who are forced to stay in their hometown. Some of the pros and cons are listed below to get an overview of the Central University of Rajasthan.

*Source: Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri Facebook