“Gas Shortage in Delhi Forces Govt Institute to Send 2,200 Students Home; Classes Shift Online”

Gas Crisis Forces IARI Delhi to Send 2,200 Students Home; Classes Go Online

Citing the ongoing fuel and energy crisis triggered by the US-Iran conflict in West Asia, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Delhi—popularly known as the Pusa Institute—has directed several batches of students to vacate the campus, with classes moving online starting April 6.

The notice, issued on March 25 by Senior Registrar Suresh Kumar, said the decision was prompted by the “current energy crisis being faced by the country” and its impact on the institute’s ability to operate hostel facilities, especially mess services. Nearly 2,200 students are expected to be affected.

The directive covers all undergraduate students, first-year master’s students, and first-year PhD scholars for the 2025–26 academic year. The notice emphasized that the move is mandatory, stating students “shall leave the campus for their respective homes till further communication” and that it “will not be optional.” Classes for these batches will continue online until further notice.

Students in second year and above of master’s, MTech, and PhD programmes will continue to attend classes and conduct research on campus, both at IARI Delhi and its affiliated institutes. Faculty members have been asked to submit plans for practical sessions once students return.

Officials said the decision was made after internal consultations, including discussions with student representatives, and aligns with directions from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which funds and oversees the institute.