The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) is a state public university in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, dedicated to the regulation and promotion of higher education in the medical and allied health sciences. It serves as the affiliating university for a large network of medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, and Indian systems of medicine colleges across Karnataka.
| Name | Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | RGUHS |
| Type | State public university |
| Discipline | Health sciences |
| Location | Bengaluru Urban, Karnataka, India |
| Country | India |
| Named after | Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India |
RGUHS was established by the Government of Karnataka to bring all health science education in the state under a single regulatory umbrella. Before its creation, courses in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and allied disciplines were affiliated to several general universities across Karnataka, leading to variation in curricula and examinations. The new university was conceived to standardise syllabi, evaluation, and academic standards across these professional streams.
The university grants affiliation to colleges offering programmes in:
It conducts common university examinations, prescribes curricula, and awards degrees, diplomas, and doctoral qualifications in these disciplines.
As a state university, RGUHS is governed under a state legislative Act and headed by a Chancellor (the Governor of Karnataka, ex officio) and a Vice-Chancellor appointed by the state government. Its principal statutory bodies include the Syndicate, the Academic Council, the Faculties, and the Board of Studies for each discipline. Affiliated colleges include both government and private institutions, with their courses also subject to the recognition of the relevant national regulatory councils such as the National Medical Commission, the Dental Council of India, the Pharmacy Council of India, and the Indian Nursing Council.
RGUHS is among the largest health sciences universities in India in terms of the number of affiliated colleges and enrolled students. Karnataka, and Bengaluru in particular, is a major hub for medical and pharmacy education in India, and RGUHS plays a central role in administering this ecosystem. Through its standardisation of curricula and examinations, the university shapes the training of a substantial share of health professionals produced in southern India.