LUCKNOW, June 18 -- Lucknow University is set to become paperless as it rolls out e-office across all administrative operations and plans to shift student assignments online, vice-chancellor Prof JP Saini said. The e-office system will digitize all notesheets, recordkeeping and documentation. Prof Saini said the move aims to cut costs, improve transparency, and reduce the university's environmental footprint. "At present, the university's administrative section alone uses at least 12,000 reams of paper every year, while departments have separate expenses for recordkeeping. On average, the administration spends over Rs 36 lakh annually just on procuring paper, and printing adds to the cost," Saini said. He added that leave applications are already processed through the SAMARTH portal. The full enforcement of e-office will extend digital workflow to all sections, making processes faster and more transparent. "Maintenance and disposal of physical files is also a major problem which the university will overcome after e-office implementation," the VC noted. Beyond cost savings, Saini stressed the environmental benefits. "This initiative will help reduce the carbon footprint of the university. It will also be a step forward in our Net-Zero carbon commitment," he said. The university is also working to extend paperless practices to academics. Students currently submit most assignments as printed or handwritten sheets. Saini said plans are underway to mandate online submission of assignments across courses to further reduce paper use. To address concerns over plagiarism in digital submissions, LU has collaborated with Turnitin software. "Plagiarism remains a concern with online assignments. We will ensure all submissions are screened through Turnitin before evaluation," Saini said. He said the training required for the transition is being imparted to staff and students from time to time and the long-term gains in efficiency, accountability and sustainability of the initiative will outweigh the initial effort. The administration has started backend preparations to integrate various departments with the e-office platform. With 12,000+ reams of paper saved annually and streamlined digital records, Lucknow University aims to set an example for other state universities adopting green governance. The VC expressed confidence that the shift will make the campus more future-ready while aligning with national Digital India goals....