The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), founded in 2003 under the UPES Act by the Hydrocarbon Education Research Society, is a private UGC-recognized university located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. With two campuses — Energy Acres at Bidholi and Knowledge Acres at Kandoli — spanning approximately 42–44 acres, UPES has grown from an initial cohort of 224 students to hosting over 12,000 learners across its academic offerings . It holds NAAC ‘A’ grade accreditation and is approved by statutory bodies including UGC, AIU, DSIR, and AICTE. UPES provides more than 80 specialized programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels across eight major schools: Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Design, Business, Health Sciences & Technology, Modern Media, Smart Agriculture, and Liberal Studies. Known for its focus on core and emerging sectors such as petroleum, energy, infrastructure, logistics, and ICT, UPES delivers a curriculum deeply integrated with industry needs. The university’s employability-driven pedagogy includes project-based learning, industry collaborations, and incubation support via the UPES Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (UCIE). These initiatives have enabled successful placements through partnerships with top companies such as Schlumberger, ONGC, Shell, Adani, Microsoft, IBM, and Reliance, with median packages around ₹6 LPA for undergraduates and ₹8 LPA for postgraduates in 2022–23. UPES is consistently ranked among India’s top private universities, with a NIRF overall rank of 46 in 2024 and engineering rank of 42, and holds a QS ranking of 3rd among private universities in India and global placements between 501–600 in THE World University Rankings 2025. The campus offers robust infrastructure including specialized labs, smart classrooms, library, stadiums, gyms, a student infirmary, hostels, dining facilities, and recreational spaces. Student life at UPES is vibrant, featuring cultural festivals like “Uurja,” adventure activities such as paragliding and rafting, career boot camps, soft skills training, and mentorship through the School for Life initiative Combining domain-focused education, practical industry exposure, innovation, and student-centric support, UPES aims to prepare globally employable professionals with a specialized edge in energy and allied sectors.