Ashoka University

Ashoka University welcomed its newest undergraduate cohort with Orientation Week (O-Week) 2026, held from 13 to 21 August. Designed to help students find their feet in a new environment, the week brought together moments of learning, reflection, exploration and celebration, offering the incoming cohort their first glimpse into life at Ashoka.

The journey began with check-ins, campus tours and opportunities for students and their families to interact with representatives from various University offices. A welcome session for students and families brought the incoming cohort together as they prepared to embark on this new chapter.

Even before Orientation Week officially began, the University extended a warm welcome to the UG 2026 cohort through two days of engaging activities designed to help students connect, explore new interests and begin building friendships. From Healthy Eats, an interactive cooking workshop led by Priyanca Bhatia, who was featured on MasterChef India, to the MasterChef Fireless Cooking Competition, students had the opportunity to explore their creativity while learning new culinary skills. The competition was judged by Ms Bhatia, Chef Negi, and Ms Guneet Kaur.

The two days also brought together a range of creative and cultural experiences. A lively Bhangra workshop gave students an opportunity to learn new moves and let loose with their new batchmates, while the mural painting activity encouraged them to collaborate and express themselves on a shared canvas. A Kathak session led by Ms Khushboo Kukreja introduced students to the grace and traditions of the classical Indian dance form, while a filmmaking workshop conducted by Aritra Mukhopadhyay, a third-year student, offered aspiring storytellers an introduction to the world behind the camera. A movie screening provided another opportunity for students to relax and spend time with their new friends.

Across the two days, students cooked, created, danced, learned, and collaborated, turning these activities into meaningful opportunities to meet new people and form connections. An icebreaker with Kalinga further helped students step into the rhythm of campus life and begin forming their first connections with the Ashoka community.

The first formal week began with an address by Professor Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Vice-Chancellor, on the expectations and possibilities that are in store as students begin their Ashoka journey. This was followed by a conversation featuring Dr Pramath Raj Sinha, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, and Ashish Dhawan, Founding Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, moderated by Venkat Eshwara, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Development, Placements and Alumni Relations, on Ashoka’s shared vision for the future. Dr Dheeraj Sanghi, Dean of Student Affairs and Dean of Academic Affairs, and Professor Anuradha Saha, Assistant Dean, Office of Academic Affairs, also held a special session on navigating academics and student life at Ashoka.

Students were also introduced to the many people, spaces and communities that make up campus life, including the various support offices and committees that help uphold the values and responsibilities of the Ashoka community. They also had the opportunity to meet the University’s student ministries and explore its diverse clubs and societies.

Conversations around inclusive education, global opportunities, careers and postgraduate studies encouraged students to begin thinking about the many paths their time at Ashoka could take. The Academic Expo further opened up the University’s academic landscape, offering the cohort an opportunity to explore the disciplines, ideas and possibilities that await them in the classroom.

Club and Society Expo: Discovering Passions and Finding Community

As part of O-Week, the Student Life Office organised a vibrant Club and Society Fair for the UG 2026 batch. With over 40 student-led clubs spanning art, theatre, dance, debate, film, community service and more, the fair gave new students an opportunity to explore interests beyond the classroom, discover new passions and connect with like-minded peers.

The fair was followed by a series of club workshops throughout the week, offering students a chance to experience different activities firsthand. Together, these experiences opened up new avenues for learning, creativity, skill-building and finding a community at Ashoka.

O-Week Sports Engagement Sessions

The O-Week sports sessions were organised by the Office of Sports and Exercise and facilitated by the team coaches, sports captains, vice-captains, and team members to introduce first-year students to the sports environment at Ashoka University and provide them with an opportunity to connect with their new batchmates.

Over the course of the week, students were introduced to more than 14 indoor and outdoor sports through four dedicated sports sessions throughout the week. Each session was designed to encourage participation, interaction, and exploration, allowing students to experience the diverse range of sporting opportunities available at Ashoka.

The sessions saw enthusiastic participation from the first-year students, with over 700 participants who actively engaged with different sports and interacted with members of the various teams. Beyond introducing students to the sporting culture on campus, the sessions also created a relaxed and enjoyable environment for students to meet one another, build connections, and become familiar with the wider Ashoka community.

The week concluded with experiences that reflected the energy and creativity of student life at Ashoka, from Makerspace: The Buildup to sports activities, clubs and societies, and the much-awaited Shaam-e-Jazba. Students came together to celebrate the many dimensions of the community they were becoming a part of.

Shaam-e-Jazbaa, the annual freshers’ talent night by Jazbaa, brought Orientation Week to a memorable and energetic close this year. The evening witnessed an overwhelming response from the incoming batch, with nearly 50 performances showcasing an incredible range of talent.

From music, dance, and poetry to art and several unique acts, the stage at Reddy’s Auditorium became a celebration of creativity and self-expression. The auditorium was packed with students turning up in large numbers to cheer for their friends and batchmates. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, enthusiasm, and plenty of memorable moments as performers took the stage and shared their talents with the Ashoka community.

Adding an especially meaningful touch to the evening, the Kalinga leaders presented a special performance prepared for the freshers. Their performance brought everyone together and made the finale even more memorable.

With its vibrant energy and celebration of talent, Shaam-e-Jazbaa was the perfect conclusion to a successful and eventful Orientation Week.

Sopaan, the annual freshers’ treasure hunt by Jazbaa, is one of the most anticipated events of O-Week, bringing together the incoming batch for two days of adventure, teamwork, and discovery. This year, with a particularly large cohort, Sopaan featured 20 teams, each divided into Team A and Team B, with freshers participating alongside their Kalinga leaders.

Designed as much about bonding as it is around competition, Sopaan gives students the opportunity to connect with their seniors, meet new people, make friends, and explore the Ashoka campus in an entirely new way. Across the campus, teams navigate QR codes, passwords, clues, and exciting tasks, with every challenge leading them one step closer to the finals. With ten different tracks, each team experiences a unique set of challenges and surprises.

Entirely curated by Team Jazbaa, Sopaan combines excitement, teamwork, and exploration to create an unforgettable O-Week experience, culminating in the selection of winning teams for the final round.

As they now begin their journey at Ashoka, these first few days will perhaps remain a reminder of where it all began, with new faces, unfamiliar spaces, countless possibilities and the excitement of everything that lies ahead.