Ranchi University was established in the year 1960 on the 12th of July as an affiliating-cum-teaching university with head office at Rachi. The jurisdiction of the university is spread over five districts at the capital city of Ranchi in the state of Jharkhand and the name of the five districts are Lohardaga, Simdega, Khunti, Gumla and Rachi. Right from the formation of this university, it has been meeting the ever increasing higher eduction demands of the local people.

In addition to the general course of studies, the university is also offering special coaching classes for the students belonging to Sheduled castes and Scheduled tribes classes for preparing them for competitive examinations. The university has even upgraded the syllabus of the main stream courses like commerce, humanities and science so as to meet the needs of UGC. The list of constituent colleges, affiliated colleges and institutions coming under Ranchi University is given below:

Affiliated Colleges:

• St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi-(Autonomous College)

• Gossner College, Ranchi

• Yogoda Satsanga College, Ranchi

• Maulana Azad College, Ranchi

• Nirmala College, Ranchi

• S.K. Bage College, Kolebira, Gumla

• P.V.A.E. College, Chainpur, Gumla

• S.G.M. College, Ranchi

• Tana Bhagat College, Gaghra

• Silli College, Silli, Ranchi

• Dumri College, Dumri, Gumla

• C.N. Law College, Ranchi

• St. Joseph College, Torpa

• College of Life Sciences, Tatisilwai

• Govt. Training College, Ranchi

• Govt. Training Girls College, Ranchi

• Bethesda Teacher Training College, Ranchi

• R.T.C College of Education, Ranchi

• Santosh College of Education, Ranchi

Constituent Colleges:

• Ranchi College, Ranchi- (Autonomous College)

• Ranchi Women’s college

• Marwari College, Ranchi-(Autonomous College)

• Doranda College, Ranchi

• R.L.S.Y. College, Ranchi

• S.S. Memorial College, Ranchi

• J.N. College, Dhurwa, Ranchi

• K.C. Bhagat College, Bero, Ranchi

• Mandar College, Mandar, Ranchi

• Birsa College, Khunti, Ranchi

• P.P.K. College, Bundu, Ranchi

• B.S. College, Lohardaga

• K.O. College, Gumla

• B.N.J. College, Sisai, Gumla

• Simdega College, Simdega

Institutions:

• Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi

• RINPAS, Kanke, Ranchi

• C.I.P., Kanke, Ranchi

• NIFFT, Hatia, Ranchi

• Cambridge Institute of Technology, Tatisilway, Ranchi

• Alice Institute of Technolog, Ranchi

• RTC Institute of Technology, Ranchi

• S.N.  Sinha Institute of Business Management, Dhurwa, Ranchi

Apart from the field of education, the students of Ranchi University have made their mark in the cultural and sports activities as well. The university has made its presence felt at the All India level in games like athletics, football, hockey and cricket. The academic calendar of the university includes regular cultural activities at the colleges coming under its jurisdiction. Actually, the present campus is a new campus for the university and it was opened only on the 15th of November 2002, by the then Deputy Prime Minister of India Mr. L.K. Advani, which is the second anniversary day of the State of Jharkhand.