Pune: ‘What Substantial Work Has SPPU Done in Research?’ Minister Chandrakant Patil Flags Lack of Innovation in State Universities
Pune, 6th June 2026: Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil on Friday expressed dissatisfaction over the research output of universities in the state, questioning whether they had made any significant contribution through innovative research.
Speaking at the inauguration of a new building and research centre of the School of Science and Mathematics at the Deccan Education Society campus in Savitribai Phule Pune University, Patil said, “No university in the state claims to have carried out innovative research. IITs are producing new research every day and contributing to society. But what substantial work has Savitribai Phule Pune University done?”
He added, in a lighter vein, that if the university had indeed undertaken significant work, he was willing to be corrected.
The event was attended by noted scientist Raghunath Mashelkar as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, Mashelkar expressed concern over declining standards of mathematics education at the school level. He said that in an era driven by artificial intelligence and rapidly evolving technology, merely imparting knowledge was no longer sufficient.
Patil stressed that research, quality training and purpose-driven work were the three key pillars required to transform India into an economic powerhouse. He also suggested the formation of an independent group of researchers under the guidance of Mashelkar to accelerate research activities in the state.
According to Patil, the proposed group could review research projects across Maharashtra every two months, and the state government would extend full support to such initiatives.
