Now, Pune University the largest in Maharashtra; overtakes Mumbai University

Pune University (PU) fares better on academic quality, research output, and overall excellence.

Pune University has emerged as the state’s largest university after overtaking Mumbai University (MU) in terms of research output, academic quality, and overall excellence. Also, it is now home to the largest cohort of affiliated colleges.

The Savitribai Phule Pune University popularly known as PU began as an offshoot of MU in the year 1949 with 18 colleges. Today, it has 890 colleges and 70 research institutes. Named after Savitribai Phule, the university houses 43 academic departments. Phule was an educationalist, poet, and social reformer. On the other hand, Mumbai University, at present, has 823 colleges now.

The PU has initial jurisdiction over extending over 12 districts of western Maharashtra. However, the district spread was reduced to three as other universities sprang up in the region.

The PU, which occupies an area of about 411 acres, attracts many foreign students due to its excellent facilities.

The MU was established in 1857. It has two campuses across Mumbai and two outside Mumbai. One of the earliest state universities in India, the MU offers bachelors, masters and Doctoral courses.

According to Vice-Chancellor, Nitin Karmalkar, “It is a proud moment that Pune University is way ahead in state under every parameter in terms of quality mandates. But its largeness is nothing to boast about. The big size causes hurdles and we have built-in systems to overcome them. Also, autonomy is being encouraged.

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