The Central University of Punjab (CUP), established in 2009, is a central research university situated in Ghudda village, Bathinda, Punjab, India. It offers a variety of postgraduate and doctoral programs across disciplines such as sciences, technology, education, humanities, social sciences, and law. The Central University of Punjab (CUP) has achieved significant milestones in academic excellence and institutional development. In 2023, the university was accredited with an 'A+' grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), reflecting its commitment to quality education and continuous improvement. Additionally, CUP secured the 100th rank in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2023, underscoring its growing reputation among higher education institutions in India.

The university comprises 11 schools and 31 departments, including the School of Basic Sciences, School of Education, School of Engineering & Technology, School of Environment and Earth Sciences, School of Health Sciences, School of Information and Communication Studies, School of International Studies, School of Languages, Literature and Culture, School of Legal Studies, School of Management, and School of Social Sciences. CUP's 500-acre rural campus in Ghudda village is designed to be environment-friendly and energy-efficient. It features state-of-the-art infrastructure, including modern research facilities, sports complexes, and recreational areas.

In the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024, the university ranked 83rd among universities and 23rd in the pharmacy category. CUP has been consistently ranked as the top newly established central university in India since 2012, according to Researchgate and Scopus. The university emphasizes research and development, with faculty members actively engaged in basic and applied research projects. It has been recognized for its research output among newly established central universities in India.