Imagine a classroom in which the earth is not just a topic of studying, but a constant companion.
A new kind of learning space is taking shape all over India. On some campus, solar collectors tend to flower trees. Rainwater slips quietly in charging pits. Classrooms do not open to corridors, but in the courtyards where the air feels easier.
Indian universities rethink what it means to build, learn, to live – not through sustainability as additional, but by interweaving them into everyday life. At a time when climate change feels overwhelming, these campus offer something simple but powerful: evidence that it is possible to grow with the country.
Here is a closer look at five institutions that go quietly.
1. Iit Gandhiinagar, Gujarat
Iit Gandhinagar is India's first campus, which is a 5-star rating as part of Griha LD (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment Large Developments), a national framework that evaluates the environmental performance of large projects.
Key initiatives:
- Wastewater drain without waste water: The entire waste water is treated on site using anaerobic reactors and root tone treatment systems, with the recycled water used for irrigation.
- Energy efficiency: Buildings are built with air washers and cavity walls to reduce the gain in the heat. Passive cooling techniques such as PDEC (passive downdraft devaporative cooling) are used to minimize energy consumption.
- Solar energy: A solar carport and roof panels produce up to 500 kWp and meet almost half of the campus' energy requirement.
- Water management: Innovative rainwater use structures, inspired by traditional stepfather, collect and store rainwater over the campus.
- Waste management: Biogas plants and compost pits process organic waste and transform it into energy and fertilizer for landscape design.
- Sustainable transportation: The campus promotes accessibility and offers charging stations with electric vehicles and CNG-based shuttle services.
2. Ashoka University, Haryana
Ashoka University integrates sustainability into its life on campus and the academic framework.
Key initiatives:
- Livegreen@Ashoka: This initiative promotes a sustainable life through interventions about green technologies, campaigns for changes in behavior and operational improvements.
- Solar energy: The campus produces almost 0.9 megawatts of sun power and significantly reduces its CO2 footprint.
- biodiversity: The campus houses 1,664 trees and supports a mixture of indigenous and exotic plant species, which improves local biodiversity.
- Center for climate change and sustainability (3cs): This multidisciplinary center promotes research and advocacy with regard to climate change and sustainability.
3. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Tamil Nadu & Nationwide
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeethams Campus are designed with a strong focus on environmental responsibility.
Key initiatives:
- Water protection: The university reused 80 percent of its water through advanced treatment plants and supports sustainable landscape design and agriculture.
- Renewable energy: Solar modules above the locations contribute significantly to the energy requirement, whereby real-time energy monitoring systems are available.
- Waste management: Organic composting and plastic zone-free zones are implemented to minimize the environmental impact.
- Green infrastructure: Campus have green roofs, permeable sidewalks and urban gardens to improve environmental quality.
- Commitment of the community: Initiatives such as Amrita support rural communities with sustainable development projects.
4. Teri School of Advanced Studies, Delhi
Teri SAS serves as a living laboratory for sustainable practices and education.
Key initiatives:
- Green construction design: The campus contains passive solar design, energy-efficient systems as well as water and waste management solutions.
- Academic programs: Teri SAS offers specialized courses in climate science, renewable energies and sustainable development.
- Research and attorney: The institution organizes events such as Retopia to discuss the prospects for clean energy and sustainability.
5. Azim Rewards University, Karnataka
Azim Premji University integrates sustainability into its campus design and academic programs.
Key initiatives:
- Sustainable infrastructure: Buildings are designed for natural cooling and lighting, which reduces energy consumption.
- Academic focus: The BSC in environmental science and sustainability program emphasizes this in the Indian context, which is based in the Indian context.
- Commitment of the community: The students take part in environmental projects that overlap with social justice and work together with undercut communities.
- Center for climate change and sustainability: The center carries out research and legal profession in order to strengthen India's reaction to climate challenges.
Published by Khushi Arora