Lucknow | The University of Lucknow, one of India’s most historic and prestigious public universities, stands today as a powerful symbol of academic tradition, intellectual leadership, and inclusive education. Established in 1920, the university’s journey is deeply intertwined with the educational, cultural, and social evolution of northern India. The Vision That Sparked a UniversityThe idea of establishing a university in Lucknow was first proposed by Raja Sir Mohammad Ali Mohammad Khan of Mahmudabad, who articulated his vision through an influential article in The Pioneer. His appeal found strong support when Sir Harcourt Butler, then Lieutenant-Governor of the United Provinces, took keen interest in advancing higher education. Known for his progressive outlook, Sir Harcourt Butler played a decisive role in transforming the idea into reality.The first formal step came on November 10, 1919, when a General Committee of educationists and public figures convened at Government House, Lucknow, under Sir Harcourt Butler’s chairmanship. The blueprint for the new university was discussed and shaped during this historic meeting. Birth of a Teaching and Residential UniversityIt was resolved that the University of Lucknow would be a Unitary, Teaching, and Residential University, inspired by the recommendations of the Calcutta University Mission (1919). Faculties in Arts (including Oriental Studies), Science, Medicine, Law, and later Commerce, were envisioned from the outset—reflecting a holistic academic approach. Between late 1919 and early 1920, several sub-committees worked intensively to finalize academic and administrative structures. Their recommendations were approved in January 1920, with generous financial support announced by the Rajas of Mahmudabad and Jahangirabad, each contributing ₹1 lakh, marking one of the earliest philanthropic endorsements of the university. Legislative Foundation and Formal EstablishmentA draft bill for the university was prepared by C.F. de la Fosse, then Director of Public Instruction, and introduced in the Legislative Council in August 1920. After deliberations and amendments—including the inclusion

Lucknow | The transformation of law into one of the most sought-after career choices in India began in 1987 with the establishment of the National Law School in Bengaluru. That moment marked a turning point in legal education, introducing the idea of national law universities as centres of excellence, innovation, and professional training. Carrying forward this progressive vision, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow, was established to meet the evolving challenges of the legal profession in the 21st century. Foundation and VisionDr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University was established by the Government of Uttar Pradesh through U.P. Act No. 28 of 2005 and formally came into existence on 4 January 2006. Initially incorporated as Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law Institute, Uttar Pradesh, the institution was later granted university status through an amendment in November 2006, giving it a comprehensive national character in line with other premier National Law Universities of India.The university was founded with a clear mission—to strengthen professional legal education, promote research and scholarship, and produce socially responsible legal professionals equipped to handle the complexities of a globalized legal system.  Commitment to Excellence in Legal EducationSupported by liberal grants from the Uttar Pradesh Government, RMLNLU is committed to providing state-of-the-art infrastructure and an intellectually stimulating environment for teaching, research, and training in law and legal processes. The university emphasizes not only academic excellence but also the development of professional skills required for advocacy, judiciary, legal services, legislation, and law reforms.Recognizing the increasing complexity of law in the age of globalization and multinational engagement, the university focuses on preparing students to meet contemporary legal challenges through a rigorous and reform-oriented academic framework. Objectives Rooted in Social ResponsibilityThe core objectives of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University include advancing and disseminating knowledge of law and legal processes,

Lucknow | Standing at the heart of technical education in Uttar Pradesh, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) has grown into one of the largest and most influential technical universities in India. Established on 8 May 2000 by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the university has played a pivotal role in shaping generations of engineers, technologists, managers, and researchers across the state.Originally known as Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU), the institution was later renamed in honour of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India and an iconic scientist, reflecting the university’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and nation-building. A Comprehensive Mandate in Technical EducationAKTU was established under Uttar Pradesh Adhiniyam Sankhya 23 of 2000, later strengthened through legislative amendments. Under the University Act, “technical education” encompasses education, research, and training in engineering, technology, architecture, town planning, pharmacy, applied arts and crafts, along with other programmes notified by the Government of India in consultation with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). A Vast Network of Affiliated InstitutionsAKTU is an affiliating university with jurisdiction across the entire state of Uttar Pradesh. At present, it affiliates 764 colleges and institutions, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, MCA, B.Arch, B.Pharm, BHMCT, and PhD, among others. These institutions include both government and private colleges, making AKTU a unifying academic authority for technical education across the state. From just 49 affiliated colleges in the year 2000, the university has witnessed remarkable growth, now supporting around 4 lakh students enrolled in its various programmes—an indicator of its scale, reach, and relevance. One of the Largest Technical Universities in AsiaWith Uttar Pradesh being India’s largest state in terms of population and geographic spread, AKTU has emerged as one of the largest technical universities not only in India, but also in Asia. To ensure effective

Lucknow | Established with a pioneering vision of inclusive education, Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU) stands as a landmark institution in India’s higher education landscape. Set up by the Divyangjan Sashaktikaran Vibhag, Government of Uttar Pradesh, the university came into existence through an Ordinance dated August 29, 2008, which was subsequently enacted as U.P. Act No. 1 of 2009 and later strengthened by U.P. Act No. 24 of 2011. A First-of-Its-Kind Inclusive UniversityDSMNRU is the first university in India specifically designed to provide accessible, quality higher education to differently-abled (Divyangjan) students in a completely barrier-free academic environment. What truly sets the university apart is its unique mandate—to serve the educational aspirations of challenged students while seamlessly integrating them into mainstream higher education. To fulfil this mission, the university provides a 50 percent horizontal reservation for differently-abled students across all academic programmes, over and above the existing reservation policy. This landmark provision reflects the university’s unwavering commitment to social equity, dignity, and empowerment. Infrastructure That Enables, Not RestrictsSpread across 131 acres in Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, the university campus is thoughtfully designed to ensure universal accessibility. The Wi-Fi-enabled, barrier-free campus features smart classrooms, modern audio-visual teaching aids, multimedia learning tools, and specialized computer laboratories equipped with JAWS (Job Access with Speech) to support visually challenged learners. The university library houses an extensive collection of national and international books, journals, and research material, making it a vital academic resource for students and faculty from diverse disciplines. Academic Excellence Rooted in Social ResponsibilityDSMNRU brings together academia and social responsibility under one umbrella, translating knowledge into action and ensuring that education reaches every section of society. The university promotes inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary learning, supported by a team of dedicated and experienced faculty members who create a vibrant, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment. Its curricula are

Lucknow | The institution began its journey on 1 October 2009 as Uttar Pradesh Urdu, Arabi-Farsi University. Over the years, it evolved both in name and vision—first being renamed Shri Kanshiramji Urdu, Arabi-Farsi University in 2011, and later rechristened in 2012 as Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Urdu, Arabi-Farsi University, in honour of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, globally known for his message of universal love, peace, and harmony. In February 2020, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved its renaming as Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, further strengthening its identity as a language-focused institution. Inspired by a Message of UnityNaming the university after Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti—popularly known as Gharib Nawaz—was deeply symbolic. His philosophy of “Sulh-i-Kul” (peace with all) resonates with Lucknow’s own Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, making the city an ideal home for an institution committed to inclusivity, cultural dialogue, and human values. Academic Growth and Expanding HorizonsThe university began its first academic session in August 2013 with 413 students, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in languages, humanities, social sciences, education, commerce, computer science, management, and journalism. Today, the student strength has grown to over 3,800, and the range of programmes has expanded significantly. Recognised under Sections 12B and 2(f) of the UGC, the university has gradually strengthened its academic credibility. While languages remain its core strength—Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Hindi, English, and Sanskrit—the university has also embraced multidisciplinary education in line with NEP 2020, promoting multilingualism, skill-based learning, and value-added courses across departments. Entry into Professional and Technical EducationResponding to student aspirations and employment trends, the university introduced AICTE-approved B.Tech programmes in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Fashion Technology, and Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in 2019. Legal education has also gained momentum with the launch of LL.M, while preparations are underway to introduce LL.B. Alongside this, diploma programmes and vocational