In a time when research in many Indian universities is often limited to laboratories, faculty departments, and doctoral submissions, Vivekananda Global University (VGU) is attempting to redefine what a research-driven academic culture can look like.
Its annual research festival, Sodh Prayas 2026, emerged this year as one of the largest university-led research showcases in the country, bringing together more than 13,000 students, scholars, faculty members, and researchers across disciplines for a three-day academic event focused on innovation, collaboration, and real-world problem solving.
Held at the VGU campus in Jaipur, the event transformed lecture halls, seminar spaces, and university corridors into active centres of presentations, demonstrations, and academic exchange.
Over 12,000 Students Participate in VGU Research Festival
According to the university, 12,386 students along with 610 faculty and staff members participated in the 2026 edition of Sodh Prayas.
Participants presented research work through:
- oral presentations
- paper presentations
- product demonstrations
- transdisciplinary projects (TDPs)
The research areas covered a wide academic spectrum including:
- science and technology
- management
- agriculture
- journalism
- healthcare
- law
- social sciences
- design and innovation
What stood out was the sheer scale of participation, especially from undergraduate students, highlighting the university’s push to make research a campus-wide culture rather than a niche academic exercise.
218 External Jury Members Evaluated Research Projects
One of the defining aspects of Sodh Prayas 2026 was its emphasis on external academic validation.
The university invited 218 external jury members, including academicians, industry experts, and subject specialists from institutions across India, to evaluate the presentations and projects.
Instead of functioning as a routine internal academic review, the event encouraged open interaction between participants and evaluators.
Students and researchers reportedly received feedback on:
- research methodology
- practical applications
- innovation scope
- publication standards
- industry relevance
This process gave many young researchers exposure to professional-level academic scrutiny early in their research journey.
PhD Scholars and Research Fellows Under the Spotlight
The doctoral research community formed a major part of the event.
PhD scholars were required to present semester progress reports before their Doctoral Research Committees (DRC) and Research Advisory Committees (RAC).
Committee members remained engaged throughout the three-day event, ensuring continuous evaluation and mentorship.
In addition, all 134 UGC and CSIR-funded Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) and Senior Research Fellows (SRFs) participated in the exercise.
The university described the event as an effort to ensure that research scholars remain connected to measurable academic goals and collaborative feedback mechanisms.
₹20 Lakh Awards and ₹32 Lakh Research Incentives Announced
To encourage academic excellence and innovation, VGU distributed awards and incentives worth several lakhs during the event.
According to the university:
- ₹20 lakh was awarded to outstanding participants across categories
- ₹32 lakh was distributed as structured research incentives for faculty members
The incentive model reportedly linked rewards to measurable academic performance indicators such as:
- Q1 journal publications
- citation impact
- funded research grants
- consultancy contributions
Faculty members who secured grants from organisations including:
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
- DST Rajasthan
- Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
were also recognised during the event.
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VGU Allocates ₹1.86 Crore Seed Fund for Research Projects
In another major announcement, the university revealed that it had allocated a ₹1.86 crore seed fund to support individual and collaborative faculty research projects.
The funding is expected to help researchers move projects from conceptual stages toward prototyping and practical implementation.
VGU also announced the establishment of two new endowed research chairs:
- Dr. K. Ram Chair for Research on Rural Development
- CA Anil Bafna Chair for Research on Family Business
These chairs are intended to support long-term research in areas linked to social and economic development.
VGU Highlights Research Growth and Patent Portfolio
Sodh Prayas also served as a platform for VGU to present its broader research achievements.
The university stated that it currently has:
- 2,853 Scopus-indexed publications
- 396 published patents
The institution has also developed collaborations with organisations including:
- SIDBI
- ICSSR
- BITS Pilani SATHI Project
These partnerships are helping expand VGU’s research and innovation ecosystem across sectors.
During the event, Dr. V. Sairam, TDP Officer, also addressed one of the recurring challenges in Indian academia — commercialisation of patents and research outcomes.
His sessions focused on bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and industry adoption.
Leadership Emphasises Research-Driven Academic Culture
Senior university leadership members addressed students and researchers throughout the festival.
Dean of the Research & Development Cell, Prof. Amandeep Gill, along with Associate Dean Dr. Deepali Singh and Section Officer Rahul Sharma, held interactive sessions addressing issues related to:
- publication challenges
- research grants
- interdisciplinary collaboration
- academic mentorship
Meanwhile, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. D. V. S. Bhagavanulu emphasised the importance of innovation-led education.
“Research is the academic soul of any university. In today’s competitive and technology-driven era, innovation and research are the real foundation of nation-building.”
The statement reflected the university’s broader positioning as a research-focused institution.
Research Culture Beyond Classrooms
One of the more unique aspects of Sodh Prayas 2026 was its attempt to humanise the research journey.
Recognising the pressures and isolation often associated with doctoral work, the university organised a special cultural evening exclusively for PhD scholars and their research guides.
The initiative aimed to create informal mentorship opportunities and encourage stronger academic communities.
Several participating students reportedly described the event as transformative, especially for first-time presenters who received detailed feedback and exposure to professional research environments.
Why Sodh Prayas 2026 Matters?
As Indian higher education institutions increasingly compete on research rankings, patents, innovation output, and global collaborations, initiatives like Sodh Prayas reflect a larger shift in university priorities.
Rather than restricting research participation to select departments, VGU’s approach focused on mass academic inclusion.
By involving thousands of students, hundreds of faculty members, external evaluators, and funded researchers, the university positioned research as a campus-wide identity rather than an isolated academic activity.
Final Thoughts
Sodh Prayas 2026 has emerged as more than just an annual university event.
For Vivekananda Global University, it represents a broader vision of building a research-first ecosystem where innovation, collaboration, and academic inquiry become part of everyday campus culture.
With over 13,000 participants, crores invested into research support, and growing national collaborations, VGU is attempting to establish itself as a serious player in India’s evolving higher education and research landscape.
