Overview
Sikkim University is a central university established under an Act of Parliament of India. It is located in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, and serves as the affiliating university for colleges across the state.
The university began functioning in 2008 with four departments: Social System and Anthropology; Peace and Conflict Studies and Management; International Relations/Politics; and Microbiology. M. S. Swaminathan served as its first chancellor, while Mahendra P. Lama was appointed the first vice chancellor.
The permanent campus is planned at Yangang in Namchi district, located about 56 kilometres (35 mi) from Gangtok. All colleges in the state of Sikkim are affiliated to the university.
Alongside traditional disciplines in the humanities, physical and life sciences, and forestry, the university offers non-traditional programmes oriented to the region. These include ethnic history, mountain studies, border studies, and hill music and culture, reflecting an academic focus on the social, cultural and geographical context of Sikkim and the eastern Himalayan region.