GetMyUni's Verdict on CDLU

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“Well-known for its achievements in Arts and Sports activities, CDLU is among the top universities for offering a decent academic environment and plenty of courses across different disciplines.”

Established in 2003, Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa, is one of the top universities in the state, known for its multidisciplinary programs, strong academic excellence and well-facilitated infrastructure. However, the university has certain drawbacks with respect to its housing facilities and lack of successful placement opportunities. Students have varied experiences at the university based on their courses and departments. 

As of the latest reports, CDLU is ranked between 801 and 1000, which indicates that its overall performance is average at best compared to the other universities in the country. To add to this, NAAC has accredited the university with a 'B' grade. Nevertheless, the university offers an excellent academic environment with a decent infrastructure and an active campus atmosphere. 

With relatively affordable fees, the university is popular among students from diverse backgrounds. The inconsistencies in the quality of education and placement opportunities across different disciplines are one of the primary reasons why the university has not crossed the average mark and why it is still not considered up to the mark. Additionally, the disappointing housing conditions also make students wonder if they made the right choice.

Table of Contents

• Wide Array of Programs
• Excellent Professors With Exceptions
• Decent Infrastructure
• Disappointing Hostels
• Multifaceted Campus Experience
• Mediocre Placements
• Final Verdict on CDLU

Wide Array of Programs

The university has an impressive landscape with a plethora of programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels across diverse disciplines. Though most students have praised the postgraduate programs at the university, the courses available in the Commerce, Management and Science fields are also highly regarded. 

With distinguished faculty members and regularly updated curriculum, departments like Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Business Administration and English ensure students acquire the relevant knowledge and skills to excel in the professional world. 

The significant faculties offered by the university include the following.

• Engineering and Technology
• Medical and Allied Sciences
• Commerce and Management.
• Life Sciences
• Physics
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• Law
• Education

The curriculum for most programs offered by the university includes industry visits, field trips, research projects, and internships, which help students gain real-world experience along with traditional theoretical and practical knowledge. Although the curriculum and syllabus for almost all programs are regularly updated to include the relevant topics and concepts to match the ever-evolving industrial standards, some departments, such as Humanities and Social Sciences, allegedly have an outdated curriculum that overlooks the contemporary advancements and developments in the respective fields. 

Nonetheless, the variety of courses offered by the university provides students with the option to pursue their desired course in the respective area. Some of the best courses offered by the university that have received good appreciation are listed below.

• B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering
• B.Sc in Physics/ Chemistry
• B.Com (Hons)
• BA (Hons) in English/ Economics/ Political Science
• BA Mass Communication
• M.Sc in Biotechnology
• Master of Computer Applications (MCA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing/ Finance
• MA in History/ English Literature.

Apart from the top-ranked courses mentioned above, the university is also famous for its distinctive departments included in the different faculties. It also provides diploma and postgraduate diploma programs in other areas, such as Mass Communication, Business Management and Computer Science.

Additionally, the university offers various research opportunities to its students in different specialisations. Yet, students have mentioned on online platforms that the research facilities and funding are not available to most students. Some of the specialisations that have the required resources and facilities for cutting-edge research projects are mentioned below.

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biotechnology
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Botany
• Zoology
• Commerce
• English Literature
• History
• Economics.

Overall, the university provides a decent academic structure with several courses to offer and esteemed faculty members. Though there are certain drawbacks in a few departments, students are generally satisfied with their educational experience at the university.

Nominal Fee

In comparison to the other private universities in the country, the course fee structure at CDLU is highly affordable, which makes education here accessible to students from different socioeconomic strata. Additionally, the university also provides scholarships and financial aid programs to ensure deserving students can acquire higher education from a reputable university.

The average fees for the prominent undergraduate programs, such as BCA, B.Com and BA courses, are INR 6000, INR 16,370 and INR 2100. The course fees for master's programs, like MBA, M.Tech, M.Sc, MA and M.Com, are INR 23,650, INR 9660, INR 5800, INR 5111 and INR 11,360. Apart from the tuition fees, the annual course fees also include development fees, examination fees and miscellaneous fees for preparation and study material prints.

Attendance Policy

The university mandates students to maintain a minimum attendance of 75% in all theory and practical classes across all the subjects. Failing to meet the attendance requirements will result in students being deemed unqualified for appearing in the end-semester examinations. If the attendance percentage is meagre, students will be subjected to disciplinary action.

Excellent Professors With Exceptions

Almost all the faculty members at the university are highly educated and experts in their respective fields, with some of them possessing doctorate degrees from reputed universities. Some departments, particularly Life Sciences, Commerce, Management and Humanities, have renowned professors who have strong research backgrounds with several years of teaching experience.

Most professors are said to be genuinely dedicated to providing students with the essential knowledge and experience to successfully complete their courses and achieve their career goals. They are ready to go the extra mile to provide additional guidance and support by organising group discussions, guest lectures and workshops to enhance their academic experience. 

Though most professors devise traditional teaching methods, some professors incorporate innovative teaching strategies to make the classes more interactive and engaging. They also give equal importance to practical learning and theoretical sessions. 

Generally, students are impressed with the faculty members at the university. Like in all universities, CDLU also has a mixed bag of professors, with some being better than others. Overall, students are satisfied with their experience with their professors, especially the ones in specific departments.

Decent Infrastructure

Students have mixed feelings about the university's infrastructure. Though there are adequate facilities and amenities, there are certain features that are missing from its infrastructure. The university campus is urbanised with limited greenery, which impacts the overall ambience. Along with that, though it has modern buildings that are well-maintained, the older facilities and buildings display poor maintenance with renovation requirements.

The majority of the classrooms at the university are well-equipped with audio-visual equipment, such as whiteboards, projectors, etc., which enables an interactive learning environment. The classrooms have comfortable seating arrangements and can accommodate large groups of students. 

Every relevant department has separate laboratories that are equipped with modern facilities and technology to ensure students have a well-rounded practical learning experience. However, students have reported that some departmental laboratories lack proper upgradation and maintenance, which hinders practical sessions. The university also has well-designed media labs for respective departments.

According to most students, the university's library is one of its best features. It houses a vast collection of books, magazines, journals, theses, research papers and other reference materials. The library is spacious, with adequate seating area for students to relax, read and study peacefully. In addition to the print resources, it also has extensive electronic resources, which consist of e-books, e-journals and online databases that can be accessed through the computer systems provided within the library.

It also has a well-facilitated sports complex that consists of a central stadium, fields and courts for various sports, like basketball, football, volleyball, etc.,. It also has a well-equipped gymnasium to encourage students to maintain their physical health.

The university has multiple canteens located at various places within the campus. Though there are varieties of food and beverages available at affordable prices in these canteens, the general quality of food items is questionable. However, most of these canteens are well-maintained with satisfactory hygienic conditions and cleanliness.

Overall, students are satisfied with the university's infrastructure with minor complaints. Even though some areas require maintenance and improvement, the infrastructure plays a significant role in providing students with the necessary facilities to have a holistic learning experience.

Disappointing Hostels

According to students' reviews on online forums, the hostels at the university are average at best, with limited facilities and amenities. Although the university has multiple housing facilities for students available at different budgets, it is difficult for students to secure accommodation due to its high demand. However, the hostels are affordable and convenient as they are located within the campus, giving them easy access to the academic facilities. 

Most of the hostels have shared occupancy rooms with common bathrooms. The lack of separate washroom facilities makes it difficult for students to get ready for their classes or to obtain hot water during the winter months. Students have mentioned that they have to wake up early and rush to secure toilet facilities every day. Additionally, some rooms are smaller than others, making them cramped and limiting privacy and personal space.

Nonetheless, the newer hostels and rooms have better facilities, such as attached bathrooms, Wi-Fi connectivity, and recreational facilities. Even then, students find it hard to get hostel accommodations, with most of them ending up on waiting lists. The students who have lived in the older hostels have raised concerns about the general maintenance of the buildings with regard to leaky roofs and the general hygiene of shared bathrooms.

Furthermore, the mess facilities are just fine, and students have complained about the quality of food, including staff members and the general hygiene of the mess and dining areas. As per students' reviews on online platforms, despite there being strict rules and regulations, the security and safety of the students are not assured, as there have been incidents of trespassing and theft reported in some hostels in the past.

The primary reasons why students choose to live in hostels are the affordability and convenience it offers. The hostel fees vary based on various factors, such as the hostel and room type, occupancy and course duration. Typically, the hostel fees for both boys and girls range between INR 2000 and INR 10,000, depending on the previously mentioned factors. It is slightly more expensive for international students.

Apart from the university hostels, students also have the option to stay outside the campus, in PGs and private hostels. Though there are fewer options, the PGs are located within close proximity of the university and are available at different price ranges. Generally, the monthly rents for the PGs near the university fall between INR 2000 and INR 6000.

Multifaceted Campus Experience

The university is said to have a vibrant and enriching campus life, with various clubs, extracurricular activities and events. It also has a diverse student body with students from multiple backgrounds, which instils a healthy cultural exchange and a sense of community. The university also actively participates in inter-university competitions and has won quite a few in the past, which has helped it be recognised widely. 

Apart from departmental societies, the university also has a number of student clubs for different interests ranging from academic to cultural and sports. These clubs help students pursue their interests and hobbies, along with improving their interpersonal and leadership skills. The clubs organise different events and competitions that allow students to perform and showcase their talents. The university conducts annual sports meets and cultural events throughout the year that make the campus happen and excite students. 

Along with the co-curricular activities, the university also regularly organises various academic events, such as guest lectures, workshops, industrial visits, seminars and many more. Such events help students gain insights into their career prospects and connect with industry leaders. 

However, as the university is located in a real space, students have limited access to urban lifestyles, such as cafes and restaurants, which may be an issue for those who wish to lead a city life. Nonetheless, there are some recreational facilities available within close proximity of the university, such as movie theatres, shopping malls, etc. 

Overall, the university is known to have a dynamic campus environment with various events and fests happening all around the year. Students are generally happy with their campus experience and the memories they have created.

Diversity on Campus

As it provides several scholarships and financial aid programs, the university has a student body that is a combination of mixed perspectives and backgrounds. The university maintains a balanced student ratio in terms of regional, gender, linguistic and socioeconomic diversities. The predominantly spoken languages in the university are Hindi, Punjabi and English.

Though students have mentioned that certain facilities in the university's infrastructure are not friendly for students with disabilities, it is making the necessary adjustments to make the campus more inclusive. As it is located in a rural area, there are issues regarding representation and awareness of specific minority categories, which are also taken into consideration by the university.

Dress Code

The university does not have a defined uniform but has some restrictions regarding the overall dress code of its student body. Students are refrained from wearing revealing or attention-seeking clothing. They are required to wear clothes that align with the university's general principles and morals. Additionally, students are required to dress appropriately for official events and practical lab sessions.

Mediocre Placements

The placement opportunities available to university students are uneven, as some departments have better placement rates than others. According to the latest reports, the overall placement rate of the university is estimated to be between 50% and 70%, with the highest rate being for Engineering departments, especially the Computer Science and Engineering branch. 

Although the university has an active placement cell, it fails to provide successful placement opportunities to students who belong to the other departments, such as Humanities and Social Science programs. Apart from the Engineering department, MBA programs have also consistently seen higher placement rates with good salary packages in comparison with other programs.

As per the latest record, the highest salary package offered to university graduates was INR 8 LPA, which was provided to B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering students. The average salary package offered to the students ranged between INR 3.5 LPA and INR 4.5 LPA. The university's top recruiters include industry leaders as well as regional companies.

Final Verdict on CDLU

In conclusion, Chaudhary Devi Lal University Sirsa (CDLU) offers a compelling option for students who intend to pursue their education in various fields. It provides an excellent academic environment with an even balance of education and extracurricular activities. However, it has several limitations in terms of poorly maintained infrastructure with outdated facilities, lack of suitable housing facilities, and inconsistent placement opportunities.

In any case, the university is among the top universities in the state. It is ideal for those who intend to pursue higher education in Engineering, Commerce, Science and Management fields. Furthermore, students are advised to connect with the past and present students of CDLU to get a clear picture of the academic scenario for their desired discipline.

Some of the pros and cons of CDLU are listed below for better understanding. 

*Source: Chaudhary Devi Lal University Sirsa Facebook