Punjabi University, Patiala Mandates Punjabi Signatures to Strengthen Language Use in Administration
In a significant step toward promoting the Punjabi language within academic and administrative structures, Punjabi University, Patiala, has issued a new directive mandating all teaching and non-teaching staff to sign official documents in Punjabi.
Approved by Vice Chancellor Dr. Jagdeep Singh, the order is part of a renewed institutional effort to reinforce the routine use of Punjabi in university operations. According to the official circular, “all authorities and employees associated with the university must use Punjabi signatures,” and the instruction is to be implemented strictly across all departments.
University officials describe the move as a reaffirmation of the institution’s founding mission. “Punjabi University was established with the primary objective of promoting Punjabi language and literature. This order aligns closely with our foundational purpose,” said the Vice Chancellor.
The mandate covers every category of employment—administrative, academic, and support staff—requiring Punjabi signatures on all forms of official paperwork. The policy aims to boost the visibility of the language in daily institutional functioning, ensuring Punjabi remains the primary medium of communication.
Officials noted that signatures, being personal identifiers, hold symbolic significance. The shift to Punjabi signatures is expected to reinforce linguistic and cultural identity across the campus while encouraging employees to become more comfortable with the Gurmukhi script.
The university anticipates that the directive may require training or orientation sessions, particularly for staff who currently sign in English or Hindi. Practical challenges or resistance during the transition phase cannot be ruled out.
Despite this, the administration maintains that the mandate is a progressive cultural intervention. It is expected not only to deepen Punjabi’s presence in university administration but also to inspire other institutions across Punjab to implement similar measures.
