Patna University is the seventh oldest university and the first in Bihar, Patna University was founded by an Act of legislature on the 1st of October 1917. The University was established as an examining body and conducted examinations from matriculation to post graduation. Its jurisdiction mapped Bihar, Orissa and Nepal and for forty years since its inception Patna University was the arbiter of the academic destiny of these territories. The Patna University Act, 1951, which received the assent of the Honorable Governor on the 6th of July 1951, was passed with a view to establishing a Teaching and Residential University at Patna. The Act defines that the purpose and powers of the university shall be to provide instruction in such branches of learning as the University may think fit including professional studies and technology, and for research and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge. It remained the only university in Bihar until January 1952 and continued to be the examining body of educational institutions in Nepal until the founding of Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu. With the founding of Utkal University this university ceased to be the examining body for institutions in Orissa. The history of Patna University parallels the history of the educational, cultural, political and economic growth of modern Bihar. It is the only teaching cum residential university in the state with a truly national character that transcends linguistic, cultural, political and other denominational boundaries. The outstanding personalities who have led India's Freedom Struggle and have occupied or are now oc cupying coveted a c ademi c , administrative, judicial and political position along with its reputed teachers and brilliant students have largely contributed towards its extermely rich academic heritage. Bihar has been an ancient seat of learning. Within its territory famous universities such as Nalanda and Vikramshila had once drawn students, teachers and scholars from various parts of Asia. After independence, higher education being a major resource for economic progress and social transformation had to be popularized for the growth and development of the state. At that time it was felt that Patna University with its sound infrastructure ought to better concentrate on scholarship, teaching and research and divest itself of the responsibility of conducting various state level examinations. Patna University has ten constituent colleges, Patna College, Patna Science College, Bihar National College, Patna Law College, Magadh Mahila College, Patna Women's College, Vanijya Mahavidyalaya, College of Arts and Craft, Patna Training College, Patna Women's Training College and thirty-one post-graduate departments in the faculties of Humanities, Social Science, Science, Education , Commerce , Law and Management. Most of the post - graduate departments are located in Darbhanga Raj buildings that are a part of a distinguished architectural heritage of the state. Constituent colleges of Patna University such as Magadh Mahila College, Patna College, B.N. College, Patna Women's College and Vanijya Mahavidyalaya, run postgraduate departments as well in select subjects. These courses fulfil the increased public demand for access to post-graduate study. The University is in the process of revitalizing its potential for excellence to provide students, researchers and teachers opportunities to excel in their disciplines and establish partnerships with Indian and off-shore universities to enhance scholarship and sharing of technology. The UGC Academic Staff College, now UGC Human Resource Development Centre, through orientation and refresher courses, seminars and workshops reminds the academic community of the need to update knowledge and refurbish teaching and communication skills Located centrally, at the hub of the university campus, is the Central Library that meets the needs of students, teachers, and research scholars alike. The computerized libary is connected to INFLIBNET. Users can access four hundred thousand books, eighty-seven periodicals, fifty thousand back issues of journal and more than five thousand rare manuscripts. In an age of information and communication technology the frontiers of time and space are ever expanding and the University is in the process of equipping teachers and students with contemporary techniques, skill and knowledge of face various professional challenges. Of the ten constituent colleges, three are exclusively meant for women students while in the other co-educational institutions including post graduate departments the number of women students is quite substantial. Patna University has always been sensitive to the needs of the socially and economically disadvantaged, the students with special needs. It has strictly followed the reservation policy of the government thus enabling them to translate their fast potential into concrete achievement. For co-curricular participation and holistic development of student, agencies such as the NSS, NCC, Sports and Cultural Activities Boards and numerous learned Societies encourage these talents. Many of our students have performed with great distinction at university, state and national levels.
