The Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (RAJUVAS) is a state public university located in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. It is dedicated to higher education, research and extension in the fields of veterinary science, animal husbandry, dairy technology and allied disciplines, with a particular focus on the livestock economy of the arid and semi-arid regions of western India.
| Name | Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | RAJUVAS |
| Type | State public university |
| Location | Bikaner, Rajasthan, India |
| Discipline | Veterinary and animal sciences |
| Jurisdiction | State of Rajasthan |
RAJUVAS was established by the Government of Rajasthan to consolidate education and research relating to veterinary medicine, animal production and dairy science within the state. The university brought several pre-existing veterinary and animal science colleges in Rajasthan under a single academic and administrative umbrella, with its headquarters at Bikaner.
The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. Its undergraduate flagship is the Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A.H.) degree, which is regulated by the Veterinary Council of India under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984. Postgraduate and Ph.D. programmes are offered across departments such as veterinary medicine, surgery, gynaecology, pathology, microbiology, parasitology, public health, animal nutrition, animal genetics and breeding, livestock production management, and veterinary pharmacology.
RAJUVAS oversees veterinary colleges and animal science institutions located in different parts of Rajasthan, in addition to its headquarters campus in Bikaner. These include the College of Veterinary and Animal Science at Bikaner, which is among the older veterinary colleges in the state, as well as colleges at other locations such as Vallabhnagar (Udaipur), Navania and Jaipur. The university also maintains a College of Dairy and Food Technology and a network of livestock research stations and Krishi Vigyan Kendras serving farmers in different agro-climatic zones.
Given Rajasthan's importance as a livestock-rearing state, RAJUVAS focuses on research relevant to indigenous breeds and dryland animal husbandry. Areas of work include:
Extension activities include farmer training programmes, animal health camps, vaccination drives and advisory services delivered through its colleges and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
The university is headed by a Vice-Chancellor appointed by the Government of Rajasthan, with the Governor of Rajasthan serving as the Chancellor in the manner customary for state universities. Academic and administrative governance is exercised through statutory bodies such as the Board of Management, Academic Council and Faculty boards.
RAJUVAS plays a central role in supporting Rajasthan's livestock sector, which contributes significantly to rural livelihoods in the state. By training veterinarians, livestock specialists and dairy technologists, and by undertaking region-specific research, the university addresses challenges of animal health, productivity and sustainability in arid environments. It works in coordination with the state's Department of Animal Husbandry and with central research bodies under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.