Himachal Pradesh University was established by an Act of the Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh on 22nd July, 1970 as a response to the needs and aspirations of the Union Territory, poised for full statehood in the Union of India on 25th January, 1971. It is the only multi-faculty residential and affiliating university in the State that provides higher education to urban, rural and tribal areas through formal and distant modes.

The headquarters of the University is located at Summer Hill, the picturesque suburb of Shimla. The University has a total area of 241.11bighas with stately buildings set among rhododendron, silver oak, pine and deodar trees. It affords a salubrious clime and congenial atmosphere for reflection, study and research. The prime objective of the University is to disseminate knowledge, advance learning and understanding through research, training and extension programmes. It instills in its students and teachers a conscious awareness regarding the social and economic needs, cultural ethos, and future requirements of the state and the country.

Himachal Pradesh University is a multi-faculty and affiliating university. It stands for knowledge, learning, progress, humanity, tolerance, intellect, morality, determination, thought, and discernment. It is a grade ‘A’ accredited university by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

The teachers of the University are rich in intellect, skills and professional expertise. HPU organises conferences, and workshops in collaboration with national and international organisations. Its Human Resource Development Centre is acknowledged as one of the best academic staff colleges in the country. HPU is the first University to offer postgraduation through the distant mode.

Students of the University perform commendably at the national level in sports and cultural activities. Every year ample number of students qualify the NET, SET, JRF, and other competitive examinations. The University has garnered achievements in NSS and Youth Welfare Programmes at the national level. Tuition fee is waived for girl students and disabled students are given free education. Two supernumerary seats are reserved for the single girl child in all courses. Students come to study here not only from the state but also from other parts of the country and abroad. The University is thus playing a seminal role in all spheres for the bright future of the students.

The University has recently signed 28 active MoUs for academic and infrastructural growth; among which the Consortium for Educational Communication, an Inter-University Centre of the UGC will help the University to make Media Centres with state-of-the-art equipment, Community Radio, Studios and Digital Labs for the dissemination of information. The University Institute of Technology has signed an MoU with the Himachal Pradesh Road and Other Infrastructure Corporation, Technical University Hamirpur, NIELIT Shimla and the Indian Institute of Information and Technology, for technical exchange. Besides this, the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies has signed one MoU each with Himachal Pradesh Pollution Board Shimla and with the Department of Legal Studies, Chandigarh University. Also, the Department of Biotechnology has signed thirteen MoUs with Central Research Institute, Kasauli; CPRI, Shimla; Deakin University, Australia; Quantum Papers Ltd., Punjab; Advantage Organics Natural Technology, New Delhi; Bio Cleaners, USA; and the Himalayan Bio-Research Technical Institute, Palampur. Seven MoUs have been signed by the University Administration with the Central Public Works Department for new constructions, and repairs and maintenance. An MoU has also been signed with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology USA.

The purpose of the MoUs is to develop academic collaboration, and to undertake joint research and extension programmes in the emerging areas of mutual interest. It also aims to develop national and international cooperative programmes and to promote student and faculty exchange. MoUs will also facilitate organizing and hosting joint academic symposia, conferences, workshops and meetings for strengthening areas of mutual interest.