Despite repeated statements from the Union government dismissing rumours of an “energy lockdown” as “completely false” and “irresponsible,” the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Delhi has issued a mandatory order sending hundreds of students—undergraduates, first-year Master’s, and first-year PhD students—back home, with all classes moving online starting April 6, 2026. An IARI official stated, “Approximately 1,800 students currently reside on campus, and nearly 600 will be affected since the notice applies to all UG students and first-year PG and PhD students.”

The notice, released by IARI’s Graduate School on March 25, cites the “current energy crisis facing the country” as the reason, citing its impact on hostel operations and mess facilities. Following internal consultations and discussions with student representatives, the institute emphasized that the move is mandatory. Students in the affected batches must vacate the campus until further notice.

Higher-year Master’sMTech and PhD students at IARI Delhi and its affiliated institutes will continue in-person classes and research activities. Faculty members have been asked to plan practical sessions for when students return. IARI, a leading ICAR institution and deemed university located in Pusa, Delhi, relies heavily on campus hostels to accommodate its student population. The ongoing energy crunch has reportedly affected electricity and fuel supply, which are essential for hostel lighting, mess operations, and other basic facilities.

The announcement comes amid official assurances that there is no energy lockdown planned. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri called the rumours “completely false” and warned that spreading such claims is “irresponsible and harmful,” emphasizing that no restrictions are being imposed on public movement or daily life.

Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal and other officials expressed confidence that India can meet the projected summer peak power demand of 270–283 GW, citing sufficient coal stocks, restarted coal plants, renewable energy, and hydro support despite LNG supply disruptions due to the West Asia conflict. The government has accumulated large coal inventories, deferred plant maintenance, and redirected resources to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reassured the public, comparing the response to India’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis and confirming no lockdowns would be enforced.

Officials also noted that fuel stocks—including petrol, diesel, and LPG—are adequate for the short term, with a 247 monitoring system in place. Recent measures, such as reducing excise duties on petrol and diesel, aim to protect consumers from price increases rather than transferring costs. The IARI notice highlights how broader pressures—rising electricity demand due to early summer heat, constrained LNG imports amid Middle East tensions, and resource conservation measures at institutional levels—are already causing concrete operational disruptions at government-run facilities.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.