FERN Award: Sports Minister Mandaviya Honours Top Universities For Vehicle-Free Campus Initiatives

Educational campuses across India are being recognised for reshaping daily travel through walking, cycling and cleaner transport. During World Bicycle Day celebrations at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya honoured institutions with the FERN Award for leading this shift.

The awards highlight efforts to cut fossil-fuel use, create vehicle-free zones and support the broader Fit India Vehicle-Free Campus Initiative.

The FERN Award sits under the Fit India Vehicle-Free Campus Initiative and rewards educational institutions supporting sustainable mobility. It focuses on walking, cycling and non-polluting transport options within campuses.

The initiative also backs India’s climate action goals by reducing emissions. It supports public health, encourages routine physical activity, and aligns with the wider FIT India Movement vision of a healthier, low-carbon future for students and staff.

FERN Award highlights top institutions driving sustainable mobility

At the New Delhi event, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya presented the FERN Gold Award to Jamia Millia Islamia, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Odisha, and Sri Sri Aniruddhadeva Sports University in Assam. These universities have declared their entire campuses as No-Vehicle Zones.

They promote walking, cycling and other eco-friendly options, and provide bicycle and electric vehicle parking to support non-polluting daily travel for their communities.

Explaining the purpose of the FERN Award, Dr Mandaviya said: "Today, I am pleased to recognize those institutions that have successfully transformed their university and industrial campuses into 100 percent vehicle-free zones. Their commitment serves as an inspiring example for others across the country.

"Our vision is to see schools, colleges, and universities adopt vehicle-free campuses, encourage cycling, and promote healthier lifestyles. By embracing these practices, we can contribute to a fitter, greener, and more sustainable India, while helping realize the vision of a Fit India."

FERN Award recognises Gold and Silver category efforts

Beyond New Delhi, FERN Gold Awards went to IIM Ranchi in Ranchi, IIM Bodh Gaya in Patna, and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Bhubaneswar during World Bicycle Day events. FERN Silver Awards were presented to IIT Hyderabad in Hyderabad, LNIPE Gwalior in Bhopal, Parul University in Vadodara, and Kumaraguru College of Technology in Chennai, reflecting expanding interest in cleaner campus mobility models.

The Silver category of the FERN Award applies to institutions that take structured but partial steps. These campuses either keep at least one fixed Vehicle-Free Day each week or reserve specific areas as permanent Vehicle-Free Zones. Under this category, student vehicle use is restricted. Only staff members are allowed vehicle access, and usually only to defined campus sections or parking locations.

FERN Award case studies: Jamia Millia Islamia and IIT Hyderabad

Jamia Millia Islamia received the FERN Award Gold Category for strong implementation of a vehicle-free campus approach. The university has sharply limited internal vehicle movement. Students are encouraged to walk or cycle across the grounds. Faculty members may drive only up to designated parking points, which lowers traffic volumes, reduces campus air pollution and cuts overall carbon emissions each day.

IIT Hyderabad earned the FERN Award Silver Category for targeted measures that support sustainable mobility. The institute has declared its entire academic area a Vehicle-Free Zone. It offers sufficient bicycle parking and supports shared mobility systems. These facilities make cycling and other non-polluting modes easier for students and staff, helping maintain a cleaner, healthier and more environmentally sustainable academic environment.

FERN Award institutions and locations

The spread of the FERN Award across cities shows the initiative’s national footprint. Institutions from New Delhi, Ranchi, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Vadodara and Chennai have been recognised so far. This mix of central universities, institutes of management, technology institutes and private universities shows that diverse campus types can adapt vehicle-free or low-vehicle models when supported by clear guidelines.

The FERN Award framework shows how campus policies on walking, cycling and vehicle-free zones can support national health and climate goals. By limiting fossil-fuel vehicles and strengthening facilities for bicycles and electric vehicles, these institutions demonstrate practical models. Their measures promote daily physical activity, cleaner air and more sustainable lifestyles within educational spaces across India.