Thousands of years ago, when universities like Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramshila and Vallabhi were illuminating the world with the light of knowledge, this land was known as ‘Bharat’. The nation referred to as ‘Bharatvarsh’ in the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and epics is now seeing an initiative to re-establish that very name at the heart of academic life.
In fact, numerous universities across the country have begun replacing the word ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ on their degrees, marksheets, certificates, official correspondence, invitations and signboards. A significant milestone in this transformation occurred during the convocation ceremony of Rani Durgavati University in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh; for the first time, the degrees awarded to students by President Droupadi Murmu bore the inscription ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India’.
This should not be viewed merely as a change of words; in reality, it is considered a crucial step towards restoring Indian knowledge traditions, cultural identity and national pride.
When the President Awarded Degrees Inscribed with ‘Bharat’
June 21st marked a new chapter in the history of higher education in Madhya Pradesh. At the 36th convocation ceremony of Rani Durgavati University in Jabalpur, students were awarded gold medals, degrees, citations and marksheets in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar. Notably, all these documents bore the name ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India’. For the first time, the university officially inscribed the word ‘Bharat’ on its degrees, marksheets, gold medals and certificates. With this move, Rani Durgavati University became the first university in the country to practically implement this change on its degrees.
https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/2068737659305095199?s=20
Historic decision taken in January 2025
According to Prof. Rajesh Kumar Verma, Vice-Chancellor of Rani Durgavati University, this decision was not taken abruptly. The university’s Executive Council had passed a resolution as early as January 2025 to use the word ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India’ in all official documents. Since then, the university had been using ‘Bharat’ in its correspondence and administrative communications. However, the initiative did not garner widespread attention due to the absence of any major public event. The change made national headlines after thousands of students received degrees bearing the name ‘Bharat’ at the convocation ceremony.
We are all people of Bharat
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajesh Kumar Verma does not view this change merely as a linguistic shift. They state, “The true and ancient name of the country is ‘Bharat’. Article 1 of the Constitution also explicitly reads: ‘India, that is, Bharat’.” Consequently, the university decided to prioritize the term ‘Bharat’ in alignment with its cultural and historical identity. They argue that if the term ‘Bharat’ can be used with respect on a global platform like the G-20, there is no reason why it should not be used within the country’s ‘temples of learning’. Driven by this perspective, the university implemented this change across degrees, marksheets, official correspondence, invitation cards and even signboards.
Not Just Degrees: The Entire System Embraces ‘Bharat’
According to the university administration and the Vice-Chancellor, the change is not limited to certificates alone. The term ‘Bharat’ has replaced ‘India’ on convocation invitations, promotional materials, hoardings, administrative correspondence and numerous information boards across the campus. Thus, this shift goes beyond mere symbolism and has been implemented at an institutional level. The university claims to be the first in the country to implement such a change on such a comprehensive scale.
राष्ट्रपति श्रीमती द्रौपदी मुर्मु जी ने रानी दुर्गावती विश्वविद्यालय जबलपुर के 36वें दीक्षांत समारोह में विभिन्न संकायों के छात्र-छात्राओं को उपाधियां एवं स्वर्ण पदक प्रदान किए। इस अवसर पर राज्यपाल श्री मंगुभाई पटेल और मुख्यमंत्री डॉ मोहन यादव भी मौजूद थे। pic.twitter.com/YSjzJdHVZm
— Governor of Madhya Pradesh (@GovernorMP) June 21, 2026
Initiative Began at Devi Ahilya University
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rajesh Kumar Verma, noted that Devi Ahilya University in Indore was the first to begin using the word ‘Bharat’ in its official correspondence. Subsequently, other universities followed suit. Taking this initiative a step further, Rani Durgavati University incorporated the word ‘Bharat’ into its degrees, titles and certificates, thereby extending this change to students’ academic records for the first time.
आदरणीय राष्ट्रपति श्रीमती द्रौपदी मुर्मु जी के मुख्य आतिथ्य एवं माननीय राज्यपाल श्री मंगुभाई पटेल जी की अध्यक्षता में आयोजित रानी दुर्गावती विश्वविद्यालय के 36वें दीक्षांत समारोह में 141 मेधावी विद्यार्थियों को 240 स्वर्ण पदक एवं 182 शोधार्थियों को पीएचडी सहित विभिन्न उपाधियां… pic.twitter.com/5iyPrACjjK
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) June 21, 2026
The Concept of ‘Bharat’ Linked to the Tradition of Knowledge
Proponents of this initiative link it to India’s ancient tradition of knowledge. They argue that ‘Bharat’ is not merely a name but represents a civilization. From Vedic literature to the Puranas and the Mahabharata, this region is referred to as ‘Bharatvarsh’.
According to scholars associated with the ‘Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas’, the syllable ‘Bha’ signifies light or knowledge, while ‘Rat’ implies being immersed in it. From this perspective, ‘Bharat’ is the land that embodies a culture dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and the journey towards enlightenment. This is why the use of the word ‘Bharat’ in educational institutions is being viewed as part of a cultural renaissance.
Many Universities in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Join In
This campaign is no longer confined to a single university. Numerous universities across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have passed resolutions to this effect or have begun using the word ‘Bharat’ in practical operations.
Prominent institutions among them include Devi Ahilya University, Guru Ghasidas University, Raja Mansingh Tomar Music and Arts University, Jiwaji University, Awadhesh Pratap Singh University, IIT Bhilai, Hemchand Yadav University and Barkatullah University.
Additionally, universities and educational institutions in several other states, including Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, have also supported this change. It is reported that 17 universities across the country are currently using the word ‘Bharat’ in their routine administrative functions.
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) June 21, 2026
The ‘Not India, but Bharat’ Campaign Has Been Underway Since 2022
A long-standing campaign by the ‘Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas’ is considered a key factor behind this shift. Om Sharma, the National Convener of the Nyas, states, “A dialogue regarding this matter has been ongoing among universities since 2022. Under the ‘Not India, but Bharat’ campaign, the Nyas has set a target of collecting one million signatures to submit to the President. So far, over half a million signatures have been received in support of the name ‘Bharat’.”
According to Om Sharma, Devi Ahilya University was the first to begin using the word ‘Bharat’ in its official correspondence, after which numerous universities across various states joined the initiative. The Indore Municipal Corporation has also launched a similar initiative. He notes that Rani Durgavati University was the first to use the word ‘Bharat’ on degrees and the credit for this goes to that institution.
Campaign to Now Reach MPs and MLAs
The Nyas is preparing to expand the scope of this campaign. According to the organization’s National Convener, Om Sharma, “The signature campaign will now be extended to include recipients of Padma awards, citizens honored with national and international accolades, as well as Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).” He asserted that if the country’s civilizational identity is ‘Bharat’, then that name should be given prominence in public life, education, administration and national discourse.
ज्ञान, नवाचार और संस्कार ही विकसित भारत की सशक्त आधारशिला हैं।
आज जबलपुर स्थित रानी दुर्गावती विश्वविद्यालय के 36वें दीक्षांत समारोह में भारत की महामहिम @rashtrapatibhvn श्रीमती द्रौपदी मुर्मु जी के मुख्य आतिथ्य तथा माननीय @GovernorMP श्री मंगुभाई पटेल जी एवं माननीय… pic.twitter.com/aNWXHBM4xL
— इन्दरसिंह परमार (@Indersinghsjp) June 21, 2026
In this context, it is evident that the initiative, which began in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, is no longer merely the decision of a single university. It has become part of a broader discourse concerning the nation’s identity, cultural memory and ancient traditions of knowledge, a discourse in which India’s new generation sees not just a name on their degrees and certificates, but the identity of a civilization spanning millennia: ‘Bharat’.
