Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, India., Nov. 15 - The first office of Dharmadeepti University was recently inaugurated, launching the operative phase of the project to establish the first non-state Christian institution of higher learning in India.

The school will be built in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, the only Indian state that allows non-state universities.

The project was the result of a suggestion of Ajit Jogi, the state's Chief Minister, who is a Christian, according to news source.

At the request of the Indian bishops, the Carmelites of the Blessed Immaculate Virgin Mary, a congregation founded over a century ago in India, will administer the university.

Bishop Simon Stock Palathara of Jagdalpur said that the objective is to offer the indigenous population the opportunity to access "quality higher education at affordable fees."

The project is expected to cost up to $55 million over the next 10 years. The episcopal conference will cover part of the costs.