Unnat Bharat Abhiyan: Complete Guide to College Registration, Village Adoption & Objectives (2025)

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan: Complete Guide for College Participation and Village Adoption

Introduction

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) is a flagship programme launched by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, with the vision to bring transformational change in rural development through the active participation of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). It aims to create a vibrant relationship between the society and academic institutions, particularly with rural India.

Objectives of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

• To engage faculty and students of HEIs in understanding rural realities.
• To identify and develop appropriate technologies for accelerating sustainable growth.
• To create a virtuous cycle between society and an inclusive academic system.
• To contribute to the formulation of policies with a bottom-up approach.

Who Can Participate?

• All recognized Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in India including universities, colleges, technical institutions, etc.
• Institutions should be willing to adopt at least five villages.

Step-by-Step Process for Registration as a Participating Institutes (PI)

1. Eligibility & Preparation: Requirements:

• Any recognized Higher Educational Institutions (central & State) willing to be involved in development activities.
• Willing to identify at least 5 villages in their vicinity.
• Should have at least 2 faculty members willing to involve with development activities in rural areas.
• Deatils of at least 5 Students, who are willing to work in rural areas.

2. Register Online on UBA Portal

• Visit the PI registration page: UBA PI Registration
• Fill in the institutional details, upload required documents:
  • Letter to District Collector
  • Village list
  • Mandate form
  • Cancelled cheque
  • Contact details of UBA Coordinator and Head of Institution
• Submit and await approval (typically takes up to 6 weeks).

3. Approval and Dashboard Access

• Once approved, you will receive:
  • A UBA Welcome Kit
  • Credentials to the PI Dashboard
  • Initial seed funding

Login to your dashboard here: UBA Login

A formal request to the District Collector is needed. 

Click here for 

1. Letter to District Administration/DC. 
2. Institutional Bank details/Mandate form.
3. Cancelled cheque to avoid payment failure. 

Include:

• Institute name and AISHE code
• List of 5 villages (with taluka, district, state)
• Request for coordination with BDOs and Gram Panchayats

Bank Mandate Form Template

• Must be printed on letterhead
• Include account details: holder name, IFSC, MICR, bank branch, account type
• Attach a cancelled cheque

Post-Registration Activities

1. Formation of UBA Cell

• • Create a dedicated UBA coordination cell in your institution.

2. Adoption of Villages

• • Coordinate with the District Collector and Gram Panchayats.

  • Conduct field visits and build relationships with local communities.

3. Baseline Household Survey

• • Use UBA’s survey formats to collect village-level data.
  • Conduct Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA): transect walk, social mapping, problem listing.
  • Guide to PRA Tools for UBA

4. Prepare Village Development Plan (VDP)

A structured plan must be uploaded to the UBA Dashboard. It should include:

• • Socio-economic data from the baseline survey
  • Community needs
  • Proposed development interventions
  • Timeline and responsibilities

Click here for Important document on “How to Prepare an Action Plan”

5. Implementation and Reporting

• • Mobilize students and faculty to lead initiatives.
  • Implement low-cost, scalable technology-based solutions.
  • Regularly submit:
    • Monthly/Quarterly Progress Reports
    • Media/Photo Updates
  • Utilization Certificates

6. Funding and Monitoring

• • Initial funding is provided post-approval.
  • Institutions may receive additional grants under certain categories (e.g., technology deployment).
  • Monitor and report utilization of funds.

Example Activities under UBA

Resources and Downloads

• UBA Official Website
• UBA FAQ
• UBA Orientation PPTs
• UBA PRA Guide (PDF)
• How to Prepare Village Action Plan
• PI Registration Link

Need Support?

• National Coordinating Institute: IIT Delhi
• Email: uba@iitd.ac.in
• Phone: 011-26591385
• Twitter: @UBA_India

Checklist for Upload on UBA PI Registration Portal

👉 Register here: https://unnatbharatabhiyan.gov.in/pi/registration

Conclusion

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is a unique opportunity for educational institutions to create lasting change in rural India through student engagement and sustainable development practices. By adopting nearby villages, colleges not only fulfill their social responsibilities but also enrich their academic ecosystem with real-world challenges and innovations.