Our Bureau
Cuttack
The Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Jagadguru Kripalu University (JKU) at its sprawling 100-acre campus in Banara, Cuttack, formally launching a multidisciplinary institution dedicated to providing industry-integrated, future-oriented higher education grounded in Indian values.
The inaugural ceremony was also graced by Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha; Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha; Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Odisha; and Swami Mukundananda, Founder and Chairman of Jagadguru Kripalu University; senior government officials, eminent academicians, industry leaders, members of the JKYog Trust, and other distinguished guests
Jagadguru Kripalu University (JKU) is a private university recognized by the UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act. It has been founded by world-renowned spiritual leader and IIT-IIM alumnus Swami Mukundananda with the profound inspiration of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.
Guided by its motto, “Elevate Yourself Through Knowledge,” the university aims to nurture globally competent professionals through a perfect blend of academic excellence, research and innovation, and holistic personality development.
The inauguration ceremony commenced with ribbon-cutting at the university’s academic block, followed by the unveiling of the inaugural plaque and floral tributes to Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. The Hon’ble President also planted a tree on this sacred occasion, after which proceedings continued with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by addresses from the distinguished dignitaries.
The speakers underscored the growing importance of institutions that integrate academic learning with industry relevance while nurturing character, leadership, and values to prepare students for an increasingly dynamic global landscape.
Hon’ble President Murmu said,
“Education is not merely a means of acquiring knowledge; it is the foundation for character building, social transformation, and the creation of a prosperous future for the nation.
This [Jagadguru Kripalu] university, established at such a historic and distinguished location, will emerge as a powerful institution dedicated to serving society and the nation by harmoniously integrating India’s ancient cultural and spiritual traditions with modern education—this is my firm belief.”
Addressing the gathering, Swami Mukundananda, Founder and Chairman, Jagadguru Kripalu University, said:
“Jagadguru Kripalu University will perfectly nurture the finest virtues in the students alongside with empowering them to become global leaders in their chosen profession.
At JKU, the campus, curriculum, pedagogy, and infrastructure have all been carefully curated to combine the best of the Eastern and the Western worlds to enable the students to develop all dimensions of their personality, the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual.”
In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, Jagadguru Kripalu University aims to integrate cutting-edge scientific disciplines with enduring human values. It envisions a model of higher education where innovation is guided by values and knowledge is enriched by timeless wisdom. JKU seeks to prepare students, not merely to adapt to a rapidly changing world, but to shape its future with competence, character, and compassion.
Rooted in this vision, Jagadguru Kripalu University is committed to empowering students with clarity of purpose, strength of aspiration, and the harmonious development of both the head and the heart. Through holistic education enshrined in universal human values, the university aims to nurture all-round developed personalities, ably equipped to be global leaders.
Strategically located just 10 km from Cuttack and 20 km from Bhubaneswar, the 100-acre campus has been thoughtfully designed to foster intellectual inquiry, innovation, collaboration, and personal growth within a vibrant and sustainable learning environment. Complementing this ecosystem is a distinguished team of global researchers, entrepreneurs, academicians, and educationists united by a shared commitment to academic excellence and the holistic development of students.
Drawing upon the finest traditions of Eastern spiritual wisdom and Western scientific inquiry, Jagadguru Kripalu University harmoniously blends intellectual excellence with ethical leadership, and social responsibility. This integrated approach of the East and the West will nurture compassionate leaders and responsible citizens committed to nation-building and the welfare of humanity.
Jagadguru Kripalu University Distinctive Features
Reflecting its vision to redefine higher education, the university offers a distinctive educational experience through the following key pillars:
- Alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 through a holistic, multidisciplinary learning framework for all its programmes, with project-based learning, skill development, and outcome-driven pedagogy.
- Apprenticeship-Integrated Learning: providing students with real-world exposure through industry-linked apprenticeship opportunities across disciplines.
- Career Readiness Programs offering structured training, skill development, and guidance for successful placements through pre-placement and pre-offer career pathways.
- Affordable Tuition Fee making quality higher education accessible and affordable while remaining cost-effective compared to many private universities.
- State-of-the-Art Infrastructure across a 100-acre eco-conscious campus featuring modern classrooms, advanced laboratories, 10-storied residential hostels separate for boys and girls, sports facilities, healthcare services, and round-the-clock security. The campus will remain alcohol-free, drug-free, smoke-free, and purely vegetarian.
- Collaborative Programs through academic and industry partnerships for promoting innovation, research, and global exposure.
- AI for All integrating Artificial Intelligence components across all academic programmes.
- Commitment to SDGs by promoting education that contributes to sustainable and inclusive development.
- Human Excellence Courses like Mindsets for Success and Happiness, integrated into the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum.
- Project-Based Education with an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning, for solving real-world problems.
- Programs in Emerging Areas aligned with evolving industry needs and global opportunities.
- Yoga & Mind Management: through value-added courses offered every semester to cultivate emotional resilience, well-being, focus, and self-mastery.
Complementing these institutional features is JKU’s strong emphasis on industry-integrated education across all courses. The university plans to embed apprenticeship-linked learning, live industry projects, and experiential learning. It includes disciplines in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Healthcare, Life Sciences, and Yogic Sciences. This model is a timely response to the widening gap between conventional academic education and rapidly evolving industry requirements.
Admissions for the 2026–27 academic session are currently ongoing for the university’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Jagadguru Kripalu University will offer programmes through its three constituent schools:
- JK Institute of Technology
- JK Institute of Management Studies
- JK Institute of Healthcare and Life Sciences
In its first phase, the university’s academic portfolio spans a wide range of high-growth and emerging disciplines, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, AI & Machine Learning, Metaverse Technology, FinTech, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Product Engineering, Healthcare, Applied Microbiology, Yogic Sciences, Naturopathy, Business Management, Commerce, and Digital Product Design.
Through its multidisciplinary approach, Jagadguru Kripalu University aims to equip graduates not only with critical thinking required to solve real-world problems and also with mind management skills. It will prepare students to successfully navigate life’s challenges with resilience in the complex demands of the modern world.
Centres of Excellence in Emerging Areas of Knowledge
Beyond academic and professional excellence, Jagadguru Kripalu University is committed to the holistic development of its students through six dedicated Centres of Excellence that complement classroom learning with specialised knowledge, practical skills, and character development.
- Centre for Holistic Health for providing certificate and diploma courses in Naturopathy, Yoga, Pharmaceutical Techniques and Dietetics & Nutrition, equipping students for employment as well as entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Centre for Vedic Sciences for study and dissemination of the timeless wisdom of the Vedas in the light of modern knowledge. It will also offer structured programmes and a robust certification system for students aspiring to pursue priesthood as a profession.
- Centre for Human Excellence will offer programmes in mind management, leadership, and personal excellence, and also prepare professionals to conduct executive development and corporate training programmes.
- Centre for Yogic Sciences will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, covering the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of Yoga through meditation, relaxation techniques, proper diet, and holistic well-being. It will also support independent research and offer short-term certification programmes.
- Centre for Human Values will offer graduate certificate programmes in Values and Public Life while promoting thoughtful engagement on fundamental questions of morality, human relationships, and social responsibility through an array of activities, from specialized seminars and lectures to large campus events.
- Centre for Communication Excellence will serve in strengthening students’ English language proficiency, critical thinking, communication, and professional confidence through structured training and practical learning. It will prepare students for interviews, group discussions, presentations, and effective communication in diverse professional environments.
At Jagadguru Kripalu University, learning extends far beyond the classroom—as a lifelong journey of intellectual growth, personal transformation, and meaningful service. Guided by the ideal that education should enlighten the mind, elevate the character, and enrich society, JKU strives to be a place where knowledge blossoms into excellence, and excellence blossoms into service.
The inauguration ceremony concluded with the national song and anthem, celebrating the formal commencement of Jagadguru Kripalu University’s journey towards becoming a centre of excellence in higher education and contributing to the national mission of ‘Viksit Bharat’.