Rupa Publications republishes the feminist classic, hailed as India’s first campus novel
India | August 21, 2025: Rupa Publications has republished Anuradha Marwah’s acclaimed debut novel The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta, first released in 1993. More than three decades later, the novel continues to resonate with readers for its sharp wit, feminist lens, and timeless exploration of ambition, gender, and power within academia and society.
The story follows Geetika, a young woman from Desertvadi, Rajasthan, who moves to Jana University (JNU) in Delhi to pursue higher education and personal freedom while navigating expectations, self-discovery, and political awakening.
“When the novel first came out, it was read as the story of a young woman coming-into-her-own in India at the cusp of change. Today, it is read as India’s first campus novel and a feminist classic,” said Professor Anuradha Marwah, who is also the author of Idol Love (1999), Dirty Picture (2007), and Aunties of Vasant Kunj (2024).
The republication not only brings back a literary classic but also reaffirms Marwah’s stature as one of India’s most significant women’s voices. The book is now available at leading bookstores and online platforms.