UNNAYAN 2026 & RUMUN Season 2: Celebrating Young Talent, Leadership and Innovation

Rungta International Skills University, in collaboration with Funology and in association with YUVA, successfully hosted UNNAYAN 2026, recognised as Central India’s Largest High School Fest, on 21st and 22nd August 2026. The two-day celebration brought together 1,100+ students from Classes XI and XII, representing schools from across the region, for an immersive experience of creativity, competition, learning and leadership.

Designed as a dynamic platform for young minds, UNNAYAN 2026 featured 16 diverse competitions that encouraged students to explore their talents while developing essential skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, communication, creativity, entrepreneurship, leadership and sportsmanship. The competitions included Chess, Quiz, Open Mic, E-Sports, Escape Room, Treasure Hunt, Nrityaverse, Pitching Competition, Marketing Strategy Challenge, Nukkad Natak and Gully Cricket, among others.

Across the two days, students demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, originality and competitive spirit. Each activity provided participants with an opportunity to step beyond conventional classrooms, collaborate with peers, solve challenges and showcase their individual strengths. The presence of distinguished judges, academicians and industry experts further enriched the experience, with participants receiving valuable feedback and insights from experienced professionals.

Running alongside UNNAYAN 2026 was the second season of Rungta University Model United Nations (RUMUN Season 2), providing school students with a platform to experience diplomacy, policymaking, debate and international relations. The two-day conference brought together delegates from numerous schools and featured six committees — Gen-Z Lok Sabha, AIPPM, AIEM, UNGA-DISEC, UN Women and International Press.

Through engaging discussions, negotiations, speeches and committee proceedings, RUMUN encouraged participants to develop public speaking, analytical thinking, diplomacy, leadership and decision-making skills. The conference offered students an opportunity to understand contemporary issues from multiple perspectives while experiencing the functioning of a Model United Nations conference.

The grand closing ceremony was graced by Shri Gajendra Yadav, Education Minister of Chhattisgarh, who appreciated the efforts of the organisers, participating schools and students in creating a meaningful platform for youth development. His presence added significance to an event focused on nurturing young talent and encouraging students to become confident and responsible future leaders.

Together, UNNAYAN 2026 and RUMUN Season 2 created a vibrant ecosystem of intellectual engagement, cultural expression, innovation, collaboration and leadership. The successful event reaffirmed Rungta International Skills University’s commitment, along with Funology and YUVA, to providing young learners with opportunities that extend beyond academics and prepare them to become the next generation of changemakers.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai Launches India Skills Report 2026 Authored by Rungta International Skills University

Raipur, Chhattisgarh: In a significant step towards strengthening India’s skill development ecosystem, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, officially launched the India Skills Report 2026, a comprehensive research publication developed by the research team at Rungta International Skills University (RISU) under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Dr. Jawahar Surisetti.

The report marks an important milestone in advancing evidence-based policymaking for skill development in India. Built on extensive research, data analysis, industry consultations, and field-level insights, the report provides a comprehensive assessment of India’s evolving employability landscape while offering practical recommendations for policymakers, educational institutions, and industry leaders.

A key highlight of the India Skills Report 2026 is its dedicated chapter on Chhattisgarh, presenting an in-depth analysis of the state’s employment trends, industry requirements, emerging skill gaps, and opportunities for strengthening industry-academia collaboration. The report also outlines actionable policy recommendations aimed at enhancing youth employability and aligning education with future workforce demands.

As India’s dedicated Skill University, RISU continues to reinforce its commitment to bridging the gap between education and employment through research-driven initiatives, industry partnerships, and outcome-oriented skill development. The report reflects the university’s vision of transforming skills into sustainable livelihoods while supporting India’s journey towards becoming a globally competitive knowledge economy.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jawahar Surisetti, Vice Chancellor, Rungta International Skills University, emphasized the long-term vision of the initiative:

“The India Skills Report 2026 is envisioned as a national policy document that empowers governments, industries, and educational institutions to make informed decisions. Skilling should go beyond academics—it should become a source of livelihood and economic empowerment for every young Indian.”

The university has announced that the India Skills Report will be published annually, with each edition featuring a dedicated chapter on a different Indian state. This approach will provide region-specific insights while creating a comprehensive national perspective on India’s changing skill landscape.

The launch has also received widespread national recognition, with the initiative being featured by leading media platforms including MSN, Indian Masterminds, Zee News, Dainik Bhaskar, Patrika, Raibhoomi, and Nav Pradesh, highlighting the growing national significance of the report and its contribution to shaping India’s future workforce.

Read Full News:-

📰 MSN → https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/chhattisgarh-focuses-on-skills-to-empower-youth-as-cm-vishnu-deo-sai-launches-india-skills-report-2026/ar-AA21CdAF

📰 Indian Masterminds → https://indianmasterminds.com/news/india-skills-report-2026-chhattisgarh-employability-199979/

📰 Zee News → https://zeenews.india.com/india/chhattisgarh-focuses-on-skills-to-empower-youth-as-cm-vishnu-deo-sai-launches-india-skills-report-2026-3040535.html/amp#

Through the India Skills Report 2026, Rungta International Skills University reaffirms its commitment to supporting policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academic institutions with research-backed insights that promote employability, innovation, and inclusive economic growth. The report serves as a valuable resource for building a future-ready workforce and advancing the vision of a Viksit Bharat through skill-driven development.

Vidyarambh 2.0 – Orientation Program 2026
Date: 3–7 August 2026
Venue: Rungta University Campus

Rungta University rolled out the red carpet for its newest batch of students with Vidyarambh 2.0 – Orientation Program 2026, a week-long induction built on energy, insight, and inspiration. Designed as more than a routine welcome, the program set the tone for what students can expect throughout their journey at the university — a blend of academic rigor, real-world exposure, and personal growth.

This wasn’t your average orientation. Vidyarambh 2.0 threw open the doors to the university’s learning ecosystem, industry-driven education, global opportunities, and holistic development programs. Across five action-packed days, students took part in interactive sessions, expert talks, and hands-on activities covering academics, career readiness, leadership, innovation, and campus life. The program was structured to ensure that by the end of the week, every student walked away not just informed, but genuinely inspired to make the most of their time on campus.

Dignitaries in Attendance

The event drew an impressive lineup of dignitaries, whose presence underscored the scale and significance of the occasion:

• Shri O.P. Choudhary, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of Chhattisgarh
• Shri Rikesh Sen, MLA, Vaishali Nagar Constituency
• Shri Ravin Nair, Managing Director, QS I-GAUGE

Their participation stood as clear proof of the university’s commitment to academic excellence and industry collaboration, reinforcing Rungta University’s position as an institution that bridges the gap between education policy, governance, and real-world quality benchmarks.

The Showstopper: Ankur Warikoo

The undisputed showstopper of the week? Ankur Warikoo took the stage — and the room didn’t just listen, it leaned in. Entrepreneur, bestselling author, educator, and one of India’s most-followed content creators, Warikoo skipped the fluff and got straight to it. He spoke candidly about how to build a career that actually means something, how to grow up without losing yourself, why money conversations shouldn’t be awkward, and how to make hard decisions without flinching.

His session wasn’t a lecture — it was a conversation, packed with practical, no-nonsense advice on financial literacy, personal growth, and long-term decision-making. No jargon, no filler — just real talk for a room full of students staring down the future, and it’s easy to see why this session became the most talked-about moment of the entire week.

Global Thought Leadership

Going global, the orientation brought in thought leaders from Coursera, Google for Education, and Cambridge University — underlining the university’s ambition to give students more than a local education. Students got face time with experts:

• Manik Kathuria — Coursera
• Padmavathy Joshi — Google for Education
• Robinson Raju — Cambridge University

They broke down international certifications, future-ready skills, global learning pathways, and academic collaborations built to boost employability worldwide. These sessions gave students a clear picture of how global exposure and internationally recognized credentials can shape stronger, more competitive career paths in an increasingly connected world.

Voices from Industry: HR Leaders Interact with Students

Adding a strong industry dimension to the week, several prominent HR leaders from global organizations joined the orientation and shared valuable messages with students on careers, employability, and the future of work:

• Deepanshu Anand — Regional Head, Talent Acquisition Operations (EMEA), Ericsson
• Reetika Sood — Director, Talent Acquisition APAC, AML RightSource
• Samrudh J — Senior Manager, Global University Recruiting, Eightfold
• Vaibhav Devidas Ingle — India University Recruitment and DEI&B Initiatives Lead, Ansys
• Saurabh Gawas — Emerging Talent Partner, JAPAC, CrowdStrike
• Vinay Arora — Director, Engineering, NIQ
• Diwakar A. — Talent Acquisition Leader, Dassault Systèmes
• Mohin Mohammed — Global Early Careers & Talent Strategy Leader, Finastra

Their interaction with students offered a rare, first-hand look into how global recruiters evaluate talent, the skills that matter most in today’s job market, and what it takes to build a career with international organizations  reinforcing Rungta University’s continuing focus on industry connect and employability.

Beginning with Balance: Mental Well-being

Mental well-being got its moment too, with a powerful session titled “Beginning with Balance – Nurturing Mental Well-being for a Meaningful College Journey.” Led by Dr. Kirti Sisodia — Journalist, Podcaster, CEO & Founder of SeePositive WebPortal, Founder of Let’s Connect, and Heartfulness Meditation Trainer — the session drove home the importance of emotional resilience, mindfulness, and balance in university life.

In a world where academic pressure often takes center stage, this session offered students practical tools to manage stress, stay grounded, and approach their college years with a healthier mindset.

Looking Ahead

Taken together, the five days of Vidyarambh 2.0 reflected Rungta University’s larger vision — one where academics, industry relevance, global exposure, and personal well-being are treated as equally important pillars of student development.

Vidyarambh 2.0 kicked off an exciting new chapter at Rungta University — one built on knowledge, skills, global exposure, and the confidence to chase big careers and bigger lives. Here’s to welcoming our new students to a truly transformative journey, and to everything that lies ahead in the years to come.

A Diamond Moment for Rungta 

Rungta International Skills University becomes the first in Central India — and the youngest university in the country — to earn the QS I-GAUGE Diamond Rating

Some milestones take decades to arrive. Others take twenty-seven years of quiet, consistent work — and then arrive all at once.

This is one of those moments.

Rungta International Skills University, Bhilai, has been awarded the QS I-GAUGE Diamond Rating, the highest distinction given under one of India’s most rigorous and respected university quality assessment frameworks. It’s a recognition that places Rungta in rare company — the first university in Central India to reach this standard, and remarkably, the youngest university in the country ever to do so.

For an institution that has spent nearly three decades quietly building futures rather than chasing headlines, this is a moment worth pausing on.

The Number Behind the Achievement

Every rating tells a story in numbers, and this one is worth sharing: Rungta International Skills University scored 1226 out of 1400 points, earning the overall Diamond rating — the top tier in the QS I-GAUGE framework, developed in association with QS (Quacquarelli Symonds), one of the world’s most trusted names in higher education evaluation.

Where Rungta Excelled

The QS I-GAUGE assessment doesn’t look at just one dimension of a university — it looks at nearly everything that makes an institution genuinely good for its students. Here’s how Rungta performed across the board:

💎 Diamond — the highest tier

• Teaching & Learning
• Faculty Quality
• Diversity & Accessibility
• Entrepreneurship

🥇 Platinum

• Employability
• Facilities
• Social Responsibility
• Governance & Structure

🥇 Gold

• Research

What stands out isn’t just the top score — it’s the consistency. There isn’t a single weak link in the chain. From the quality of teaching in the classroom to how prepared students are for the world outside it, every parameter reflects the same underlying commitment.

What This Really Means

Ratings and rankings can sometimes feel abstract — numbers on a page. But behind this one is something simpler and more human: classrooms where faculty genuinely invest in students, partnerships with industry that turn textbook knowledge into real careers, and a campus culture that has, year after year, put student success at the center of every decision.

This recognition is, in many ways, a reflection of three things Rungta has never compromised on:

• Academic Excellence — not just in curriculum, but in how it’s taught and by whom
• Industry Collaboration — building the bridge between classroom learning and real-world careers
• Student Success — measured not in placement statistics alone, but in the confidence and capability students carry forward

A Win That Belongs to Everyone

No university earns a rating like this on its own. It’s built — brick by brick, semester by semester — by the people who show up for it every single day.

So this achievement belongs to the faculty who went beyond the syllabus, the staff who kept the wheels turning, the students who brought energy and ambition to every classroom, the alumni whose success stories continue to open doors for those who follow, and every stakeholder who believed in what Rungta was building, long before the rating confirmed it.

To everyone who has been part of this journey — thank you. This one is yours as much as it is the University’s.

Twenty-Seven Years, and Still Building

This Diamond rating arrives as Rungta International Skills University celebrates 27 years of developing bright futures — a fitting milestone for an institution that has always measured its progress not in awards, but in the lives it has shaped.

The recognition is a proud moment. But at Rungta, it’s also just a starting point — a reminder of the standard to keep building toward, not a finish line to rest at.

Explore more: www.rungta.ac.in