Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria opened the third edition of Chandigarh University's CU Scholars' Summit 2026 with a clear message to the country's young people: stop chasing jobs and start creating them. According to him, India's future growth hinges on a generation willing to build rather than just apply.
The event kicked off by honouring the top scorers of the Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test (CUCET) 2026, celebrating academic merit and rewarding standout students from across the country. Across the two phases of the summit, roughly 7,000 students are set to be recognised.
The summit has drawn close to 3,000 students from 22 states and union territories, bringing them face-to-face with young achievers, industry veterans, scientists, and corporate leadership all under one roof.
In his address, Kataria pointed to a string of government programs designed to back young people on their path to self-reliance and career success, stressing that the support system already exists - students simply need to use it.
Government Schemes the Governor Pointed To
He listed out several flagship initiatives meant to fuel entrepreneurship, learning, and skill-building among the youth:
- Startup India
- Stand-Up India
- Skill India
- Digital India
- PM eVIDYA
- SWAYAM
- National Digital Library
- Atal Innovation Mission
- PM Vidya Lakshmi
His message to the students was simple — tap into these schemes and take an active hand in shaping India's growth story.
Rs 200 Crore in Scholarships for Deserving Students
A central highlight of the summit was Chandigarh University's scholarship drive, aimed squarely at easing the financial load on talented students.
Scholarship Snapshot
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Scholarships Announced | Nearly Rs 200 Crore |
| Students to be Felicitated | 7,000 |
| Female Scholarship Recipients | 2,800 |
| Scholarships Awarded Over 13 Years | Nearly 2 Lakh |
| Female Beneficiaries Over 13 Years | More than 82,000 |
Kataria pointed out that the sheer number of girl students winning scholarships speaks to the university's push for educational empowerment, and ties in directly with the spirit of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.
A Call to Draw on India's Intellectual Legacy
The Governor used part of his keynote to remind students of the scholarly lineage they belong to, naming figures like Aryabhatta, Charaka, Sushruta, Panini, and Chanakya as proof that India's tradition of inquiry and innovation runs deep. He framed today's youth as carriers of that same spirit, with the potential to push India toward leadership in global research, innovation, and knowledge creation.
Industry Voices Weigh In on Careers and Tech
Beyond the official addresses, the summit packed in interactive sessions with personalities spanning entertainment, science, and the corporate world, giving students a direct line into conversations about future careers and emerging technology.
Among the Speakers:
- Kiku Sharda — Actor and Comedian
- Chunky Panday — Actor
- Dr S Mangesh — NSIL/ISRO
- Mandeep Singh — Hitachi Systems India
- Subi Chaturvedi — InMobi
- Dev Tripathy — Philips India
- Dr Sachin Gulati — American Express
- Sushil Khosla — Tata Consultancy Services
- Ankit Jhamb — Grant Thornton Bharat
- Rishi Seth — Fractal
Their sessions revolved around innovation, leadership, and where the workplace is headed next.
ISRO's Krishnamurthy on India's Space Story
Prof (Dr) YVN Krishnamurthy, a former scientist and director who has held posts across several ISRO institutions, used his time at the summit to talk up India's strides in space exploration. His core point: the country's space program has been driven by genuine scientific purpose, and that work has fed into global knowledge in ways the rest of the world now looks to India to replicate when tackling tough problems.
A Scholarship Exam With a Bigger Purpose
Deepinder Singh Sandhu, Senior Managing Director at Chandigarh University, used his address to connect the dots between the summit's celebratory tone and its underlying intent. The Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test, he explained, exists specifically to remove the financial roadblocks that keep talented but economically constrained students out of higher education, turning the scholarship scheme into a pathway rather than just a prize.
More Than a Stage Event
Alongside the talks and felicitations, students also got a guided walk-through of the university's campus, taking in its laboratories, research facilities, and learning spaces - giving the summit a hands-on dimension beyond the keynote sessions and panel discussions.
With two phases still rolling out across thousands of students, CU Scholars' Summit 2026 is positioning itself less as a one-day ceremony and more as a recurring bridge between merit, money, and the mentors willing to show up for both.
