Education has long been a powerful tool of empowerment—but when tailored for those who dedicate their lives to national service, it becomes a bridge between duty and transformation. As India increasingly focuses on skilling, upskilling, and preparing its defence personnel for life beyond the uniform, academic institutions are stepping up to respond to the unique needs of this community.
In a compelling conversation with TheCSRUniverse, Dr. Sunil Rai, President of UPES, outlines how the university’s inclusive education model—spanning online, on-campus, and doctoral programs—is designed to support armed forces personnel and their families. From flexible learning formats and fee waivers to leadership skilling and research collaborations, UPES is crafting an educational ecosystem that recognises the discipline and potential of India’s soldiers while equipping them for future leadership roles in civilian life.
Scroll down to read how UPES is building pathways of purpose for India’s defence community through education, research, and nation-building.
Q. What inspired this strategic focus on supporting India’s defence forces through education?
A. Our engagement with India’s defence forces stems from a deep respect for their service and an understanding of their unique educational and professional needs. Education has the power to transform lives, and through these partnerships with the Army, Navy, and Air Force, UPES seeks to honour the dedication of the armed forces by offering accessible, future-ready learning pathways. These partnerships are a tribute to their sacrifices and an investment in their long-term growth and reintegration into civilian life.
Q. How does UPES tailor its academic offerings to meet the unique needs of armed forces personnel and their families?
A. UPES designs its offerings with flexibility and relevance in mind. The academic ecosystem is tailored to accommodate the mobile, often unpredictable nature of military life. For working professionals, we offer part-time PhD programs aligned with their fields of expertise. For those posted in remote or demanding locations, UPES Online ensures access to high-quality, industry-relevant programs. These include MBA, BBA, BCA, PG certificate and skilling courses, featuring live weekend classes, recorded sessions, and online examinations. On-campus programs are also made available to their families, supported by reserved seats and merit-based scholarships.
Q. How do these initiatives contribute to the personal and professional growth of military personnel transitioning to civilian life, and what outcomes have you observed so far?
A. Our programs are crafted to upskill military personnel for successful second careers in strategic fields such as management, law, technology, logistics, aviation, and data science. Designed to align with both current service roles and post-retirement aspirations, these initiatives create a strong bridge between military service and civilian leadership. The academic exposure enhances strategic and analytical capabilities, while industry interactions foster professional networking and real-world readiness. Early outcomes include increased enrolment from defence backgrounds, successful transitions into civilian roles, and a growing interest in research-led careers. A shining example is UPES alumnus Sugandh Agarwal, who secured All India Rank 2 in the Army’s TGC Computer Science category—demonstrating how a supportive academic ecosystem can empower purpose-driven excellence and long-term impact.
Q. How do support mechanisms like fee waivers and academic relaxations, impact enrolment and learning outcomes for defence learners?
A. Financial and academic concessions have played a critical role in reducing barriers to education and enhancing accessibility for defence learners. A 20% tuition fee waiver and a 5% relaxation in eligibility criteria have made our programs more inclusive, particularly in online and hybrid formats. For doctoral programs, a 50% fee waiver has encouraged greater research participation in areas of national relevance. Flexibility in assessments—such as substituting project work, with viva-based evaluations for experienced professionals—recognises prior learning and has led to higher engagement, improved learner satisfaction, and stronger program completion rates.
Q. What challenges have you encountered in implementing these defence collaborations and how has UPES worked to overcome them?
A. Key challenges include reaching personnel stationed in remote areas, aligning learning schedules with service routines, and coordinating administrative workflows. To mitigate this, UPES has appointed dedicated coordinators for each service wing, streamlined digital onboarding through UPES Online, and adapted course delivery to include asynchronous content. Frequent liaison with defence education officers has further ensured seamless implementation and responsiveness to learner needs.
Q. Beyond formal education, how is UPES contributing to the continuous upskilling of military personnel?
A. UPES offers skilling programs in emerging domains such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, aviation law, and logistics management. Leadership development modules and certification courses are also delivered through UPES Online and our Centres of Excellence. These programs are designed to augment leadership, operational, and policy-making capabilities, keeping defence personnel abreast of industry demands.
Q. Can you share some data or impact metrics since the university began its engagement with the armed forces?
A. Since the launch of our defence outreach, UPES has witnessed steadily growing participation from personnel across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as their families. Over 20 seats are reserved annually across disciplines such as engineering, law, and management, with merit-based scholarships of up to 30% awarded to eligible candidates. Our online programs—particularly MBA, BBA, and technology courses—have gained strong traction, while doctoral initiatives have attracted mid-senior defence professionals engaged in research aligned with national priorities. Ph.D. fee waivers and flexible learning options have further supported this growth, with positive feedback indicating high satisfaction and meaningful career progression among defence learners.
Q. Could you share insights on ongoing or planned research initiatives and how UPES envisions expanding into areas like defence entrepreneurship or policy advisory?
A. UPES actively fosters joint research in aviation, aeronautics, logistics, defence law, and engineering, tailored to the operational and strategic priorities of our defence partners. Looking ahead, we envision establishing simulation labs for strategic training, launching innovation cells to support defence entrepreneurship, and contributing to policy research through white papers and advisory panels. These initiatives will not only benefit the armed forces but also contribute to India's self-reliance and security landscape.
Q. As the President of UPES, how do you see the university’s engagement with the defence forces contributing to its institutional legacy and role in nation-building? And what message would you like to give to other academic institutions regarding engagement with India’s defence community?
A. This engagement is central to our ethos of nation-building through education. By supporting those who protect the country, we reinforce our role as a socially committed institution. It enriches our academic culture with discipline, resilience, and diversity brought in by defence learners. To other academic institutions, we say: the defence community is not only deserving but immensely enriching. Partnering with them is both an honour and a responsibility we must collectively uphold.
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