Ranchi: Azim Premji University has announced the setting up of a new campus in Ranchi, marking a major expansion of its presence in eastern India and reinforcing its focus on socially relevant higher education.

The campus, spread over 150 acres in Itki, on the outskirts of Ranchi, will be the university’s third in the country after Bengaluru and Bhopal. Designed as a fully residential campus, it will include academic blocks, student and faculty housing, laboratories and sports facilities. Plans also include a medical college and teaching hospital in the future.

Academic programmes at the Ranchi campus are scheduled to begin in July 2026. In the first phase, the university will offer master’s programmes in Applied Economics and Development, along with postgraduate diplomas in Local Development, Early Childhood Education and Educational Assessment. Short-term certificate courses in education, public health and development are also planned.

University officials said the Ranchi campus will be closely aligned with the social, economic and cultural context of Jharkhand, with a strong emphasis on public purpose education, research and community engagement. Special attention will be given to regional issues and the lived realities of Adivasi communities.

The initial intake is expected to be around 150 students, with capacity expanding steadily over the coming years. The campus is projected to eventually serve several thousand students across disciplines.

Established and supported by the Azim Premji Foundation, the university positions itself as a not-for-profit institution committed to equity, sustainability and public service. The Ranchi campus, officials said, reflects a long-term commitment to strengthening higher education access and quality in underserved regions.