Ranchi University came into existence on the 12th of July 1960 as an autonomous institution as it was carved out of erstwhile Bihar University. (RU Gazette Notification Certificate 1960_framed.) The University started with ten Postgraduate Departments, one Constituent College, and 20 affiliated Colleges; today, it has 22 Postgraduate Departments, 19 Constituent Colleges, and 47 affiliated Colleges which are catering to the needs of nearly 1.6 lacs of students. With a view to making Higher Education accessible to a vast population of a predominantly tribal region, this University has been rendering valuable services to a big chunk of marginalized young generation since its establishment.

Though it underwent tetra-furcation with the creation of Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribag (1992), Nilambar Pitambar University, Medini Nagar (2009), Kolhan University, Chaibasa(2009), and Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi (2019), its catchment area continues to be quite vast, expanding through five major Districts of Jharkhand, bordering West Bengal, Odisha and Chattisgarh. A ceaseless inflow of inter-state students continues even today. Located in the capital of Jharkhand, this University enjoys the status of premier institution of the state. In order to stand the pace of advancement in the institutions of Higher Education across the globe, Ranchi University has started many new courses in Yoga, Medicine, Psychiatry, Law, Management, Engineering, etc., apart from introducing novel and innovative content in its conventional courses.

The introduction of self-financing/vocational courses like Electronics and Communication, M.C.A, Bio-technology, and Diploma in Medicinal Plants. Jyotirvigyan, etc. at the PG level and B.C.A., B. Ed, Functional English, Secretarial Practice, Environment and Water Management, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Fashion Technology, etc. at the UG level, is a remarkable step of the university towards preparing talented students for employment opportunities and fulfilling the regular need of services required by our people. Many of these courses accommodated in the frame of add-on courses, have turned out to be very popular among the students as these courses ensure employment.

Further, the UGC constantly recognizes its institutions and colleges with various kinds of accreditations. Three of the RU Colleges have gained the status of ‘College with Potential for Excellence’ (CPE), along with a good rating by NAAC to many RU institutions. Many Postgraduate Departments have valuable projects of the UGC and CSIR, where quality research work is underway. For instance, its Geology Department has been chosen for the FIRST programme of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.