Sampurnanand Sanskrit University was established in 1958. It is located in Varanasi, which was earlier known as Banaras, Uttar Pradesh in India. It was founded by Dr. Sampurnanand, the then chief minister and Pt. Kamlapati Tripathi, the then education minister. It was earlier known as Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya. In 1974, it was renamed to Sampurnanand Sanskrit University.

The university has been acclaimed as an international centre to do study and research work in the Sanskrit Literature. It is an institute which provides studies is Sanskrit literature, a literature which is the most ancient among all the literatures of the world and which emphasizes the symbol of Indian tradition and thoughts. It promotes the preservation of the ancient tradition and teachings in Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit languages. It promotes research work and evaluation of Indian and other connected cultures so as to have full knowledge of the traditions and literature which are on the urge extinction. The university aims at producing new and talented scholars who have sound knowledge of the language Sanskrit and along with that have modern thoughts so that they can generate comparative study on the basis of modern theories. It promotes Sanskrit language and Indian culture and traditions in all the directions of the world.

There are 22 departments and 5 faculties in the university. These faculties and departments deal with various fields dealing with Vedas, traditional studies and languages, modern studies and languages, ayurveda, baudha darshana  etc. Every faculty has its respective departments which provide specialisation and expertise work in corresponding fields of study.

The admission to B.Ed, M.Ed, B.Lib.Sc and Shashtri and acharya courses are made through common entrance exams conducted annually.

The University has a Saraswati Bhawan Library which was established during the establishment of government Sanskrit College. The University has a library with a rich collection of more than one lakh manuscripts written in Sanskrit. There are various printed books on Sanskrit. This books and manuscripts help students learn and understand the importance of traditional languages, cultures, literatures etc and help them go deeper into their foundations.