The former name of Rajiv Gandhi University is Arunachal University and it is the leading university for higher education in Arunachal Pradesh and it has completed 26 years of successful existence. The university was inaugurated by the Late Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi on the 4th of February 1984. Right from its formation, the university has been trying to attain excellence and achieving the goals as set in the University Act. The UGC recognized the university on 28th of March 1985 and again it got financial acknowledgement from University Grants Commission on the 25th of March 1994.

The university was awarded the status of Central University on the 9th of April 2007 by the Human Resource Development Ministry of Indian Government. The university is situated on the top of Rono hills spreading over an area of 302 acres near the famous river Dikrong. At present, the university has 15 colleges under its jurisdiction and every year the students’ strength has been considerably improving in these colleges. The university is conducting teaching and research programs with an idea to play an efficient part in the cultural and socio-economic growth of the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The list of colleges affiliated to the university is given below:

Government/Aided Colleges:

• Dera Natung Govt. College, Itanagar

• Donyi Polo Govt. College, Kamki

• Government College, Yachuli

• Government College, Bomdila

• Indira Gandhi Govt. College, Tezu

• Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat

• North East Homeopathic Medical College, Itanagar

• Rang Frah Govt. College, Changlang

• Wngcha Rajkumar Govt. College, Deomali

Private Colleges:

• St. Francis Sales College, Aalo

• St. Claret College, Salaya

• Hills College of Teacher Education, Naharlagun

• Doyin Gumin College, Pasighat

• Don Bosco College, Itanagar

• Arunachal Law Academy, Itanagar

The research programs undertaken by the university are funded by UGC and other funding agencies. Right from its beginning, the university has conducted several research programs under the sponsorship of different funding agencies. Many faculty members of the university has participated in seminars and conferences held not only within the country, but in foreign countries as well.

So far, the university has invited a number of distinguished personalities and eminent scholars for delivering lectures on different disciplines. Previously, the university conducted examinations on annual basis, but after the academic year 2000-2001, semester system is practiced by the university. The university has been showing very good progress in developing infrastructure, innovations in curriculum development, research and teaching.