MDS University

What MDS University does

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University (MDSU) is a state public university established in 1987 under the MDS University Act and located in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. The institution operates under the regulatory oversight of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Government of Rajasthan, and is governed by a Board of Management, an Academic Council, and a Vice-Chancellor as chief executive. MDSU delivers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across Sciences, Arts, Commerce, Law, and Management, and has been implementing the NEP 2020 framework, including Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) components.

The university has built a distinct research footprint around eight specialized centers (Shodh Peeths), covering algae biofuel and biomolecules, Sindhi civilization, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's philosophy, Arya Samaj and Maharshi Dayanand's legacy, Prithviraj Chauhan's history, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's thought, teacher training under the Malaviya Mission, and a Music Research Centre. It also operates a Central Library with OPAC, inter-library loan, and reference services. The Algae Biofuel & Biomolecules Centre holds a US-granted patent (US 8,722,389 B1) and has received research funding from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, and the Parenteral Drug Association India Chapter. Underlying technology is conventional academic infrastructure, including an online admission portal, an RFID-based library system (tender in progress), and a Central Instrumentation Facility.

MDSU's revenue model is a mix of state government funding and UGC grants, student tuition and academic fees (UG, PG, Ph.D., and new certificate courses in AI and Cyber Crime), affiliation fees from a network of affiliated colleges across Rajasthan (governed by ordinance 70-A), and examination and administrative fees. Its go-to-market is a direct-to-consumer model through a centralized admission portal, supplemented by affiliated colleges acting as regional distribution channels. Recent commercial moves include MoUs with NASSCOM, Bikaner University, and Ayurveda University, and a disclosed placement of 13 students at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. The university is ranked in the NIRF State Public Universities rank-band 51-100 and is NAAC-accredited, with UGC recognition, but does not publicly disclose its financial figures.

Name

MDS University

Legal name

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University

Website

https://mdsuajmer.ac.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Short description

MDS University is a state public university in Ajmer, Rajasthan, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and certificate programs across multiple disciplines. It serves students through on-campus delivery and a large affiliated-college network, and operates eight specialized research centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Arts, Humanities & Creative Research Universities (EDAHABAG)

Keywords

• Higher education
• University programs
• Teacher training
• Doctoral research
• Affiliated colleges

Headquarters

HQ city

Ajmer

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: The university generates revenue from student tuition fees for various undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. Fee structures are published on the website for different courses including MBA, M.Sc., MA, and certificate programs.
2. Affiliation Fees: The university earns revenue from affiliated colleges through affiliation fees, as per the affiliation rules and ordinance 70-A. Colleges seeking affiliation with MDSU pay fees for various programs.
3. Government Funding: As a state government university, MDSU receives operational funding from the Government of Rajasthan and central government bodies like UGC for infrastructure, research, and academic activities.
4. Examination and Administrative Fees: Revenue generated from examination fees, convocation fees, degree certificates, and various administrative services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University is a state public university offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral academic programs across Sciences, Arts, Commerce, Law, Management, and professional disciplines. The university also runs eight specialised research centres (Shodh Peeths), a Central Library, and a Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, operating under the NEP 2020 framework with admissions handled through a centralised online portal.

Product overview

MDS University is a public state university offering a comprehensive academic portfolio comprising undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across multiple disciplines. The university's product ecosystem includes eight specialized research centres (Shodh Peeths) focused on areas including algae biofuel technology, Sindhi studies, Vedic philosophy, historical research, social empowerment, and teacher training. The Central Library provides document services and institutional repository access. The institution operates under NEP2020 framework and maintains partnerships with government bodies for student welfare and placement services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academic Programs (UG, PG, Doctoral) Undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degree programs offered across multiple disciplines including Management Studies, Sciences, Humanities, Commerce, Law, and professional courses, for students seeking government-recognised higher education.
• Certificate in AI Short-term skill development certificate course in Artificial Intelligence, targeting students and professionals seeking applied AI training under the NEP 2020 framework.
• Certificate in Cyber Crime Short-term skill development certificate course in Cyber Crime, designed to address cybersecurity education needs for students and working professionals.
• Algae Biofuel & Biomolecules Centre Interdisciplinary research facility developing economically feasible technology for biofuel production through algae cultivation and generating skilled manpower for the algae-based bioenergy sector. Hosts externally funded research projects (e.g., DBT, Government of India).
• Sindhu Shodh Peeth Research centre promoting research, teaching, translation, and extension activities related to Sindhi civilization, language, literature, art, and culture.
• Maharshi Dayanand Shodh Peeth Research centre focused on studies related to Maharshi Dayanand and the Arya Samaj movement, conducting seminars, conferences, and research activities on social reform and Vedic philosophy.
• Prithviraj Chouhan Etihasik evam Sanskratik Shodh Kendra Peeth Research centre dedicated to studying the life, achievements, and cultural legacy of Emperor Prithviraj Chauhan through seminars, lectures, and commemorative events.
• Dr. Bheem Rao Ambedkar Shodh Peeth Research centre working towards social emancipation, economic empowerment, educational excellence, and active participation of marginalized communities based on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's philosophy.
• Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre Teacher training centre under UGC's Malaviya Mission, offering refresher courses, orientation programmes, and professional development for academic staff from affiliated colleges.
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Shodh Peeth Research centre dedicated to the philosophy and legacy of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, promoting research in integral humanism and Indian political thought.
• Central Library Services Comprehensive library services including document lending, reading room facilities, reference services, periodical access, thesis consultation, inter-library loan, and OPAC search system, serving enrolled students and faculty.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13 students from Department of Management Studies placed at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NASSCOMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026MDS University signed an MoU with NASSCOM for collaboration in areas of skill development, technology training, and industry-academia linkage. This partnership aims to enhance student employability and industry readiness.
• Bikaner UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026MoU signed between Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer, and Bikaner University for academic collaboration and mutual cooperation in research and educational activities.
• Ayurveda UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2025MoU signed between Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer, and the Ayurveda University for collaboration in Ayurvedic education and research.
• National Council of Promotion of Sindhi Language, New DelhiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2015MoU between National Council of Promotion of Sindhi Language, New Delhi and Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University to establish Sindhu Shodh Peeth for research, teaching, translation and extension activities in Sindhi studies.
• Central University of RajasthanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on Feasible Mass Cultivation of Algae as Biofuel Feedstock in Rajasthan with focus on nutrient supply, water demand and spent biomass utilization.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• University of Rajasthan: State public university headquartered in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Directly comparable as a Rajasthan state university offering UG/PG/doctoral programs across multiple disciplines with affiliated colleges — competes with MDSU for students, faculty, and NIRF rankings within the same geography.
• Jai Narain Vyas University: Another major Rajasthan state public university, headquartered in Jodhpur. Directly competes with MDSU as a multi-disciplinary state university with affiliated colleges across western Rajasthan and comparable NIRF band positioning.
• Central University of Rajasthan: Central (national) public university located in Rajasthan. Directly comparable as a public research university in Rajasthan competing for the same student pool and government research funding, with a likely higher NIRF ranking that intensifies competitive pressure on MDSU.
• Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLS University): State public university in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Direct peer as a multi-faculty state university with affiliated colleges in southern Rajasthan, competing for the same regional student pool.
• Bikaner University: State public university in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Recent MoU partner with MDSU and a direct peer as a Rajasthan state university offering comparable UG/PG programs — competes in northwestern Rajasthan.
• University of Kota: State public university in Kota, Rajasthan. Direct peer as a Rajasthan state university competing for students in eastern Rajasthan with similar academic structure and affiliated college model.

Regional players

• Vikram University: State public university in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Comparable as an older Indian state public university with affiliated colleges, multi-disciplinary offerings, and a similar governance structure — a regional peer outside of Rajasthan with parallel institutional characteristics.
• Barkatullah University: State public university in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Comparable as a multi-faculty state university with affiliated colleges, similar regulatory exposure to UGC/state government, and similar scale and operational structure.
• Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University: State public university in Chhattisgarh. Comparable as an Indian state public university with affiliated colleges, multi-disciplinary academic offerings, and a similar operational structure — a regional peer outside of Rajasthan.

Broad incumbents

• Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda: Long-established state public university in Gujarat with strong research output. Comparable as an older, multi-disciplinary Indian state university with a longer academic track record and typically stronger NIRF positioning — sets the bar for state university performance MDSU aims to match.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MDS University