The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a formal request to all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across India to actively participate in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (EPMKN) campaign during the 2026–27 academic year. This directive aligns with broader national efforts to promote environmental sustainability while fostering innovation through initiatives such as Bharat Innovates 2026.

Background on the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Campaign

The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, translating to “One Tree in Mother’s Name,” was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) as a flagship environmental initiative. It encourages citizens, including students and faculty at educational institutions, to plant trees in honour of their mothers. The campaign carries significant cultural resonance in India, where the mother figure holds a central place in family and societal values. For the 2026–27 period, the MoEFCC has set an ambitious national plantation target of 67.90 lakh trees, with HEIs expected to contribute meaningfully through campus drives, student-led initiatives, and community outreach programmes.

UGC’s communication emphasises that participation should integrate seamlessly into existing environmental clubs, NSS (National Service Scheme) activities, and curriculum-linked projects on sustainability. Institutions are encouraged to document their efforts, track sapling survival rates, and report outcomes to demonstrate measurable impact. This approach not only supports biodiversity and carbon sequestration but also instils a sense of environmental stewardship among the next generation of academics and professionals.

UGC’s Directive to HEIs: Key Expectations

In its recent circular, the UGC has outlined specific expectations for HEIs. Universities and colleges are requested to form dedicated committees or leverage existing eco-clubs to organise plantation events. The directive highlights the importance of involving students from diverse disciplines, including environmental science, botany, social sciences, and even management programmes, to ensure interdisciplinary engagement. HEIs are also advised to partner with local forest departments, municipal bodies, and non-governmental organisations to expand the reach beyond campus boundaries.

Practical guidance includes selecting native species suited to regional climates, ensuring proper aftercare for planted saplings, and using digital platforms to share success stories. The UGC has stressed that these activities should not disrupt academic schedules but rather complement them, perhaps through credit-linked community service modules or research projects on urban forestry and climate resilience.

Link to Bharat Innovates 2026: Innovation Meets Sustainability

Parallel to the environmental directive, the UGC has also drawn attention to Bharat Innovates 2026, a flagship national initiative of the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education. Scheduled for 14–16 June 2026 in Nice, France, this global showcase aims to position India’s deep-tech ecosystem on the international stage. The event will feature more than 120 high-potential deep-tech ventures emerging from HEIs and Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs), alongside 15 premier institutions including various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru.

The campaign and the innovation event are thematically connected through sustainability. Many of the selected ventures focus on clean technology, sustainable agriculture, water management, and climate solutions—areas that directly complement the goals of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative. By participating in tree plantation drives, HEIs can simultaneously generate real-world data and case studies that strengthen their innovation portfolios for Bharat Innovates 2026.

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Role of Premier Institutions and CFTIs

Leading institutions such as the IITs and IISc are expected to play a catalytic role. These campuses already host active research parks, technology business incubators, and student entrepreneurship cells. The UGC’s call encourages them to extend their innovation ecosystems to include green technology prototypes developed during plantation-related projects. For instance, student teams working on sensor-based irrigation systems or biodegradable mulching materials could find natural testing grounds in the campaign activities.

Participation guidelines for Bharat Innovates 2026 require innovations to demonstrate strong intellectual property potential, scalability, and societal impact. Environmental projects emerging from the EPMKN campaign offer a ready pipeline of ideas that align with these criteria, particularly in themes such as Agri & Food Technologies, Smart Cities & Mobility, and Climate Solutions.

Implementation Strategies for HEIs

To meet the UGC’s expectations effectively, institutions are advised to adopt a phased approach. In the first phase, awareness campaigns and workshops can educate the campus community about the dual objectives of environmental action and innovation. The second phase involves actual plantation drives timed with academic calendars, perhaps coinciding with World Environment Day or institutional foundation days. The third phase focuses on documentation, impact assessment, and translation of outcomes into research papers, patents, or startup proposals.

Many HEIs have already begun preliminary activities. Environmental clubs at several universities have organised poster competitions and sapling distribution events, creating early momentum. These grassroots efforts provide valuable templates that other institutions can adapt based on their local ecology and student demographics.

Broader Implications for Indian Higher Education

The UGC’s dual emphasis on the EPMKN campaign and Bharat Innovates 2026 reflects a strategic vision for Indian higher education: integrating sustainability with technological advancement. This approach positions HEIs not merely as centres of learning but as active contributors to national development goals, including India’s commitments under international climate agreements and its aspirations to become a global innovation hub.

For faculty members and researchers, these initiatives open avenues for interdisciplinary projects, funded research, and international collaborations. For students, particularly those on PhD tracks or seeking academic careers, participation offers tangible experience in project management, community engagement, and technology translation—skills increasingly valued in both academia and industry.

Challenges and Mitigation Measures

While the directives are clear, implementation faces practical hurdles. Resource constraints in smaller or rural HEIs, varying regional climates affecting sapling survival, and the need to balance academic priorities with extracurricular activities are among the key challenges. The UGC has anticipated these issues by encouraging partnerships and the use of existing government schemes for funding plantation drives.

Additionally, the global nature of Bharat Innovates 2026 requires HEIs to build capacity in international networking, intellectual property management, and investor pitching. Workshops organised by the Ministry of Education and the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office are expected to provide necessary support and training.

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Future Outlook and Opportunities

Looking ahead, successful participation in both initiatives could enhance institutional rankings, attract international partnerships, and strengthen alumni engagement. The visibility gained through Bharat Innovates 2026 may also translate into increased research funding and industry collaborations for participating HEIs.

As India continues to expand its higher education landscape with new universities and increased focus on multidisciplinary education under the National Education Policy 2020, these campaigns serve as practical demonstrations of how policy directives can be translated into meaningful action on the ground.

Conclusion

The UGC’s request to HEIs for active involvement in the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign during 2026–27, alongside preparation for Bharat Innovates 2026, represents a cohesive push toward environmentally conscious innovation. By weaving sustainability into the fabric of academic life and showcasing deep-tech solutions globally, Indian higher education institutions stand to make significant contributions to both national and international priorities. Administrators, faculty, and students are encouraged to view these directives as opportunities for impactful engagement rather than additional obligations.