University of Patna also called as Patna University is the seventh oldest university in the subcontinent of India and it was formed in the year 1917 to meet the higher education requirements of the people of Nepal, Orissa and Bihar. The university was formed when the British were ruling India well before the Indian Independence.

The history of this university can be closely correlated with the history of the state of Bihar since it acts as a proof of the progress of the region in general and the state of Bihar in particular. The university truly has a national character, which goes beyond the political, cultural and linguistic boundaries.

The rich academic heritage of the university is highly contributed by its students, qualified learned faculties and outstanding personalities holding the top administrative positions in the university. The list of colleges and institutions affiliated to the university is as follows:

Affiliated Colleges:

• Bihar National College

• College of Arts & Craft

• Magadh Mahila College

• Patna Science College

• Patna College

• Patna Law College

• Patna Medical College

• Patna Dental College

• Patna Training College

• Patna Women’s College

• Vanijya Mahavidyalaya

• Women’s Training College

• Bihar College of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy

Affiliated Institutions:

• Institute of Library and Information Science

• Institute of Public Administration

• Institute of Psychological Research & Services

University of Patna was formed as an examining body and examinations were conducted by the university right from matriculation level to post-graduation level courses. The university remained as the only university in the state of Bihar until the year 1952 that is for more than three decades.

After the year 1952, the nature of the university was converted as residential university even though it continued to conduct examinations for academic institutions in Nepal until the formation of Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu. The jurisdiction of the university in the state of Orissa was restricted after the formation of Utkal University in Bhubneshwar.