Azim Premji University was born from a belief: that a fair, just, and humane society starts with better education and stronger communities. Back in 2010, after years of grassroots work in government schools across India by the Azim Premji Foundation, the need was clear—India required passionate and well-qualified professionals for the social sector. The university was established in Bengaluru, with a vision to nurture people who can drive real change in education, development, public policy, livelihoods, and more.
This commitment to social purpose sets Azim Premji University apart. Its campuses, now in Bhopal and Ranchi as well, welcome students from all over the country and from diverse backgrounds. More than half receive financial support, and many are the first in their families to pursue higher education. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in critical areas—including Education, Development, Economics, Public Health, Science, Humanities, and Social Science—alongside nearly 150 short courses for professionals. Every programme is rooted in values of equity, justice, sustainability, and inclusion, and teaching is interactive, interdisciplinary, and closely tied to real-world issues.
The School of Continuing Education and University Resource Centre (SCE-URC) leads the way in professional development. It runs in-service programmes for teachers, frontline workers, government officials, and civil society organisations. This means the university’s impact stretches far beyond classrooms, building capacity for thousands in rural and urban India. APU brings experts together to co-create knowledge, foster deep field immersion, and publish research and resources that help shape public policy and practice.
An inclusive ethos runs through everything at Azim Premji University. Students learn from each other and from faculty with rich grassroots experience—exploring the challenges facing India today, from education gaps and unequal opportunity to climate change and governance. The curriculum encourages dialogue, critical reflection, and creative problem-solving. Special support programmes ensure that everyone, regardless of background, finds space to thrive and contribute.
The university’s journey is marked by constant learning, collaboration, and pioneering spirit. Supported by one of the largest philanthropic endowments in India, it is determined to keep innovating—to model what truly ‘purpose-driven’ higher education can look like. Azim Premji University stands as a living example of education for social change, always striving to make a difference—one student, one programme, and one community at a time.
