Ranchi University

Ranchi University came into existence on 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 predominant 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 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 contents in its conventional courses.

The introduction of self-financing/vocational courses like Electronics and Communication, M.C.A, Bio-technology, Diploma in Medicinal Plants. Jyotirvigyan, etc. at PG level and B.C.A., B. Ed, Functional English, Secretarial Practice, Environment and Water Management, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Fashion Technology, etc. at 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 colleges with various kinds of accreditations. Three of RU Colleges have gained the status of ‘College with Potential for Excellence’ (CPE), along with good rating by NAAC to many RU institutions. Many Postgraduate Departments have got valuable projects of the UGC and CSIR, where quality research work is underway. For instance, its Geology Department has been chosen for FIRST programme of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

The University has started extramural lecture series in each Faculty in the recognition of contribution of great academicians like Dr J. C. Bose in the Faculty of Science, Dr. S.K. Mukharjee in the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad in the Faculty of Education, Dr. Camille Bulcke in the Faculty of Humanities, Barrister S. K. Sahay in the Faculty of Law, Dr. Davis in the Faculty of Medicine, Dr D. C. Munda in the Faculty of Social Science and Prof R. S. Mandal in the Faculty of Commerce. This is a remarkable step of the University in the direction of imparting quality education on one hand and recognizing the talents of the distinguished scholars for motivating and inspiring the young, on the other hand.

In terms of introducing updated technology in enriching the infra-structural facilities, the University has made significant progress that may be exemplified by full-automation of its central library equipped with nearly two lacs of books, IN FLIB NET and reprographic facilities. Here, students and scholars get a very healthy environment where they can access around 4000 National and International journals till late hours at night. There is a big auditorium where lectures of eminent personalities are organized time to time, that benefit the students in multiple ways. It provides an interactive platform that helps students groom properly.

Keeping in view the linguistic richness of this state where many tribal and regional languages exist, this University is constantly effortful in the direction of promoting these languages. As per the AISHE data of 2019-20, out of the total strength of 1.6 lacs of students in the University, there are nearly 50000 tribal students who use these languages as their mother tongue. The University provides facility of teaching and research up to PG and Doctoral levels in major tribal and regional languages. Three highly updated language-labs have been established in this University that will help sharpen and chisel linguistic competence of the students. The University strives to extend every possible support to the tribal students to make them self-dependent. The students of BPL category are provided with all the admissible benefits. Special coaching classes are arranged for ST, SC and Minority students, in order to bring to the mainstream the poor and marginalized. Recently, the University has started Centre for Legal Studies and Foreign Language.

It plans for starting courses in Film Making also. Its Yoga centre is performing well in tune with wellness campaign of the Government of India. The University’s Radio Khanchi, a transmission centre, is reverberating in the ears of millions. Its NSS and NCC wings remain engaged in carrying out their responsibilities earnestly. This University has excelled in sports and cultural activities as many of our students have won national and international awards, especially in archery and hockey. It is evidenced by the fact that our two students were a part of National team that participated in Olympics 2021.

A brief sketch of the University clearly shows how a delicate sapling has turned into a mighty tree with passage of sixty years. Recently, Ranchi University has decided to introduce three new courses in Medical science, Aircraft Maintenance and Air Hostess, and Crew Management. Today, its alumni are spread across countries, proving their worth in different spheres of life, reaffirming its academic standard and commitment to the cause of nation building.