Pune: The Directorate of Higher Education has issued strict instructions to all colleges and universities across the state to implement a three-month karate training program for female students, as part of the Women’s Policy initiative.

This directive, issued in February 2024, has yet to be fully acted upon by some institutions, prompting the Directorate to demand immediate reports on compliance and action taken against non-compliant institutions.

Director of Higher Education, Dr. Shailendra Deolankar, emphasized the importance of the program in fostering self-defense skills among female students.

"All universities and affiliated colleges were instructed to implement the karate training program by a circular issued on February 22, 2024," said Dr. Deolankar. "Those that have not yet complied are required to take immediate action and submit their reports without further delay."

The three-month karate training initiative is part of a broader strategy outlined in the 2014 Women’s Policy, which aims to equip female students with basic self-defense skills.

In recent years, there has been growing concern over the safety of women in public spaces, and the Higher Education Directorate believes that such training will contribute significantly to building confidence and resilience among young women.

Action Required from Universities and Colleges

The Directorate has now made it mandatory for all educational institutions to submit detailed reports outlining the status of the karate training program. These reports are to be collected and compiled by divisional education offices and universities before being presented to the Directorate.

For institutions that have already implemented the program, the reports should include details about the training conducted, participation levels, and feedback from students.

For those that have failed to initiate the program, immediate corrective action is required, and a report must be submitted explaining the delay and outlining a plan for implementation.

Dr. Deolankar has stated that institutions that fail to comply with this directive may face action from the Directorate. "We are serious about ensuring that this important initiative is carried out in every institution. Colleges that do not act promptly will face consequences," he said.