About
Established in July 2016 (formerly known as the Community Development Centre), the Directorate of Community Services (DCS) at CPUH is a pioneering initiative dedicated to linking academic knowledge with real-world community needs.
Vision
“Empowering rural communities through University-driven, need-based sustainable technologies and innovations.”
“To promote global competitiveness by providing multiple opportunities for excellent community-based participatory education, applied research, academic innovation, and service to humanity.”
The DCS works actively to strengthen the bond between academia and society by promoting:
- Social responsibility among students and faculty
- Active citizenship for inclusive national development
- Community engagement through experiential education
- Adoption of villages through experiential education
24 backward villages under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA)
90 villages under DCS initiatives
- Over 100 social development activities organized in the past five years
Objectives of DCS
- To apply classroom knowledge for community welfare and sustainable rural development
- To encourage real-world problem-solving through participatory learning and innovation
- To impart essential health services, skills, and recreational facilities to youth and unemployed women
- To enhance income and quality of life through:
Natural Resource Management
Crop Diversification
Livestock Management
Nutritional and Food Security
- To conduct capacity-building programs empowering marginal and small-scale farmers in adopted villages
- To promote student accountability, leadership, and social entrepreneurship
- To support the University’s rural upliftment mandate by adopting the Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach in alignment with NEP 2020
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
The DCS has established partnerships with reputed national institutions for collaborative research, innovation, and outreach, including:
- ICAR–IARI, New Delhi
- ICAR–IGFRI, Jhansi (U.P.)
- ICAR–IIMR, Hyderabad, Telangana
- ICAR–DRMR, Bharatpur, Rajasthan
- NMPB–RCFC–NR-1, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India
Collaborations & Partnerships
- Collaborative SC-Sub Plan Project on Fodder Development & Livestock Management for Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts with ICAR–IGFRI, Jhansi, Government of India (2023–24 onwards)
- Collaborative SC-Sub Plan Project (2025) on Enhancing Livelihood & Entrepreneurship Options for Sustainable Development and Empowerment of 500 SC Farmers in Hamirpur District with ICAR–IARI, where Dr. T.R. Sharma (DDG, Crop Science) served as Chief Guest
- Village Partnership under IARI–CATAT, New Delhi (2021 onwards) — supporting agricultural technology transfer, hybrid seed introduction, and climate-resilient agro-practices across 90 adopted villages
- Approved Project under Sustainable Agriculture System (SAS) entitled “Community-based Sustainable Commercialization of Him Ghanajeevamrit through the Use of Cow and Buffalo Dung” for 2025–26 — the only project sanctioned to CPUH in Himachal Pradesh under SAS
- GI Application Sanctioned on ‘Chamba Chukh’, granted by HIMCOSTE, DEST&C, Shimla (H.P.), January–June 2025
- National Seminar (Feb 25–26, 2025) sponsored by ICSSR–NWRC, Panjab University, focusing on Sustainable Innovation in Agriculture for Rainfed Areas of Himachal Pradesh — with active participation from academia, researchers, and farmers
Projects under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA)
(National Coordinator: IIT New Delhi, UGC, Ministry of Education – DCS, CPUH, 2019–2023)
- Manufacturing of traditional ‘Barian’ to support scaling up of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at Tikker Village
- Distribution of aromatic and medicinal plants at Kot Village
- ‘Pattal Plate’ making using Bahunia vahli leaves at Kot Village
- Formulation of Immunity Booster Herbal Tea during COVID-19 at Tikker Village
- Promotion and commercialization of traditional fermented beverage ‘Seera’ at Baloh Panchayat
Events
| S. NO. | Name of the Conference/Seminar/Workshops | Date of the activity conducted |
|---|---|---|
1 | Awareness cum Training Programme | 13th December, 2022 |
2 | National workshop on Demonstration of Dragon Fruit Cultivation. | 8th September, 2023 |
3 | Training Programme on Millets & Millet Products | 26th to 28th October, 2024 |
4 | NSS Volunteers Engage with Local Farmers to Promote Millets for Nutrition and Sustainability | 23 th Feb, 2025 |
5 | To promote women’s health, wellness, and empowerment through yoga, on the occasion of International Women’s day | 7th March, 2025 |
6 | Empowering Workers, Building Futures: Labor Rights Awareness & Health Check-up Camp | 19th April, 2025 |
7 | Demonstration Program for Progressive Growers — Boost Your Farm Income with Rabi Season Vegetables & Oilseeds | 4th October, 2025 |