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Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar

Introductory Wikimedia session of students and faculty in Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar by CIS-A2K1
Introductory Wikimedia session of students and faculty in Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar by CIS-A2K1 Image: Wikimedia Commons. सुबोध कुलकर्णी / CC BY-SA 4.0

Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), formerly known as Arunachal University, is the oldest and the only central university in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The university campus occupies a 302-acre tableland at Rono Hills, near Doimukh in Papum Pare district, about 25 km from the state capital Itanagar.

Key facts

Name Rajiv Gandhi University
Former name Arunachal University
Type Central university
Location Rono Hills, Doimukh, Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh
Distance from Itanagar Approximately 25 km
Campus area 302 acres
Accreditation NAAC 'A' grade, CGPA 3.02/4 (March 2024, valid until 13 March 2029)

Campus and setting

The university is situated on a forested tableland in the Rono Hills, overlooking the Brahmaputra valley. The approach road branches off from National Highway 52A and crosses the Dikrong river before climbing into the hills to the campus. The 302-acre site at Doimukh, in Papum Pare district, places the university within easy reach of Itanagar while retaining the character of a hill campus.

Background and status

Originally established as Arunachal University, the institution was later renamed Rajiv Gandhi University. It is the oldest university in Arunachal Pradesh and remains the only central university in the state, giving it a central role in higher education and research in the region.

Accreditation

In March 2024, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) awarded Rajiv Gandhi University an 'A' grade with a cumulative grade point average of 3.02 out of 4. The accreditation is valid until 13 March 2029.

Significance

As the sole central university in Arunachal Pradesh, RGU serves as the principal centre of higher learning in the state and a major institution for academic activity in the eastern Himalayan region. Its location near the state capital and within the larger Brahmaputra valley landscape gives it geographical as well as institutional importance for the North-East.

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