Tilakraj Solanki, a student of Vikram University’s School of Fine Arts, has created academic history by becoming the first undergraduate in Madhya Pradesh to submit a research thesis under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Solanki, currently pursuing a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, completed his final-year thesis on the life and work of legendary Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma. His submission marks a major milestone in the implementation of NEP 2020 in the state.
Dr. Sushil Kumar Sharma, Coordinator of the School of Fine Arts, Drama, and Music, informed that Solanki’s work is the first research thesis submitted in the state under the newly introduced Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), a major feature of the NEP. Madhya Pradesh was one of the first states to adopt the policy, thanks to the efforts of former Higher Education Minister and current Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. Vikram University was among the first institutions to roll out its academic framework in line with NEP.
Dr. Sharma credited Dr. Yadav and Executive Council Member Rajesh Singh Kushwah for their instrumental roles in establishing Fine Arts as a full-fledged academic discipline at Vikram University. Until recently, Fine Arts was offered only as a single-paper course in Visual Arts. Students interested in pursuing the subject had to travel to institutions in Pune, Baroda, or Mumbai. The introduction of a comprehensive Fine Arts program has now made quality education in the field accessible to students in Ujjain and surrounding regions.
Solanki’s thesis, guided by renowned painter and mentor Prof. Krishna Joshi, explores Raja Ravi Varma’s contribution to Indian art through a scholarly lens. It critically analyzes his fusion of European realism with Indian themes, his portrayal of mythological characters, and the controversies his work sparked in colonial India. Solanki’s work reflects the essence of the NEP's interdisciplinary and research-based approach, encouraging analytical thinking and creativity at the undergraduate level.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Arpan Bhardwaj congratulated Solanki on his achievement and expressed pride in the university’s progressive academic environment. He requested that an additional copy of the thesis be preserved in the Vice Chancellor’s office and extended his best wishes to the student for his future academic and artistic journey.
Executive Council Member Rajesh Singh Kushwah also praised Solanki and emphasized the importance of research-oriented learning. He reiterated the university's commitment to expanding academic opportunities and promoting student-led innovation under NEP 2020. He also applauded the efforts of the Fine Arts department in pioneering this change.
Solanki’s submission has been widely celebrated in academic circles as a significant outcome of the NEP’s vision of fostering holistic and multidisciplinary education. The success of Vikram University in implementing this policy at the undergraduate level is expected to serve as a model for other institutions across the country.
Department Head Dr. Jagdish Sharma and Prof. Shailendra Kumar Sharma, Head of the Hindi Department, also extended their congratulations, calling the achievement a proud moment for the university and the state.
Solanki’s journey reflects the transformative impact of NEP 2020 on undergraduate education. His work demonstrates how early exposure to research can nurture critical thinking and academic excellence. With this, Vikram University reinforces its position as a leader in educational reform, paving the way for future scholars to emerge from Madhya Pradesh’s evolving academic landscape.
Solanki’s milestone is being celebrated across academic circles as a strong endorsement of the NEP 2020’s vision for holistic, research-integrated education.
His achievement not only reflects the potential of the new policy framework but also underscores the importance of institutional support, mentorship, and student ambition in realizing the goals of educational transformation.
With this, Vikram University has firmly positioned itself at the forefront of academic innovation in India, and Solanki’s success story is expected to inspire many more students to embrace research from the undergraduate stage, across diverse disciplines.
