Gauhati University, commonly abbreviated as GU, is a collegiate public state university located in Guwahati, Assam. Established on 26 January 1948, it is the oldest university in Northeast India and serves as one of the principal centres of higher education and research in the region. The university operates a large network of affiliated colleges across Assam and offers programmes in arts, science, commerce, law, engineering and technology.
| Name | Gauhati University |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | GU |
| Type | Collegiate public state university |
| Established | 26 January 1948 |
| Location | Guwahati, Assam, India |
| Founding legislation | Act of the Assam Legislative Assembly |
| Accreditation | NAAC 'A+' (4th cycle, 5 July 2024) |
| Postgraduate departments | 39 |
| Affiliated colleges | 341 |
| Memberships | Association of Indian Universities; Association of Commonwealth Universities |
Gauhati University was constituted under an Act enacted by the Assam Legislative Assembly and began functioning on 26 January 1948. As the first university to be established in Northeast India, it played a foundational role in shaping higher education in the region. At inception, the university comprised 18 affiliated colleges and 8 postgraduate departments.
The university offers instruction across the faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Engineering and Technology. Its academic ecosystem includes:
Gauhati University is a member of the Association of Indian Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
As the oldest university in Northeast India, Gauhati University holds a central place in the academic history of the region. Its expansion from 18 affiliated colleges in 1948 to a network of 341 affiliated colleges reflects its role in widening access to higher education in Assam and the broader Northeast. Its NAAC 'A+' accreditation in the fourth cycle indicates institutional consolidation in teaching, research and governance.