Himachal Pradesh University Shimla – Courses, Admissions, Rankings and Notable Alumni

Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), established on July 22, 1970, in Summer Hill, Shimla, is a prominent public state university accredited with an ‘A’ grade by NAAC and recognized by the UGC. Spanning about 200 acres, HPU offers 132 programs across disciplines through 13 faculties, 52 departments, and 356 affiliated colleges, serving students via regular and distance education.

Renowned for its comprehensive infrastructure—hostels, libraries, sports facilities, and research centers—the university is also notable for pioneering distance postgraduate courses. It has earned significant rankings, including placement in the NIRF 51–100 band for 2024, and has produced distinguished alumni like Hamid Karzai, Anupam Kher, and Preity Zinta. Through strong research initiatives and academic excellence, HPU continues to shape leaders and professionals across India and beyond.

Attribute	Details
Name	Himachal Pradesh University (HPU)
Established	July 22, 1970
Location	Summer Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
Type	Public State University
Accreditation	NAAC ‘A’ Grade
Recognition	University Grants Commission (UGC)
Campus Area	~200 acres (241.11 bighas)
Faculties	13 faculties, 52 departments, 5 centers/institutes
Programs Offered	132 (UG, PG, Certificate, Diploma, M.Phil, PhD, DLit)
Affiliated Colleges	356 colleges
Faculty Strength	400+ teachers
Students	Diverse intake from urban, rural, and tribal areas
Vice-Chancellor	Prof. Sikander Kumar
Chancellor	Governor of Himachal Pradesh (Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar)
Popular Exams Accepted	HPU Entrance, HPCET, MAT, CAT, GATE, NEET, JEE Main, AIAPGET
Hostels	14 (9 for girls, 4 for boys), ~1,500 students accommodated
Facilities	Libraries, labs, Wi-Fi campus, sports complex, medical centre, auditorium, eateries
Notable Alumni	Hamid Karzai, Anupam Kher, Preity Zinta, JP Nadda, Mohit Chauhan
Latest NIRF Ranking	51–100 band among State Public Universities (2024)
EduRank	#1 in Himachal Pradesh, #105 in India, #1057 in Asia

Himachal Pradesh University: A Beacon of Higher Education in the Himalayas

Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), established on July 22, 1970, by an Act of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, stands as a prominent public state university nestled in the picturesque suburb of Summer Hill, Shimla. As the sole multi-faculty residential and affiliating university in the state, HPU plays a crucial role in providing higher education to urban, rural, and tribal areas through both formal and distant modes.

The university is accredited with an ‘A’ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Academic Programs and Admissions

HPU offers a vast array of courses across various streams, including Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Commerce, Business Administration, Engineering, Law, Media, Mass Communication, and Journalism. The university is notable for being the first to offer postgraduate courses through distance mode.

Popular Programs include:

• Undergraduate (UG): B.Ed, BBA, BCA, BA, BSc, BDS, LLB, BAMS, B.Lib.I.Sc, BHM, B.Tech.
• Postgraduate (PG): MA, MSc, MCA, MBA, LLM, M.Com, M.Tech, MDS, M.Phil, PhD, MTM, M.P.Ed, MFA, M.Lib.I.Sc, MCJ.

Admission Process:

Admissions to HPU are generally based on a combination of merit in qualifying examinations and entrance tests conducted by the university or national bodies.

• Entrance Exams Accepted: HPCET, HPU Entrance Exam, HPU MAT (for MBA), NEET, GATE, CMAT, CAT, NEET PG, NEET MDS, MAT, AIAPGET, NEET SS, JEE Main.
• Application Process: Candidates typically register and fill out the online application form through the official website.
• Counselling: Selected candidates undergo counselling sessions for final admission.
• Eligibility: Specific eligibility criteria vary by course, generally requiring a minimum percentage in the preceding qualifying examination (e.g., 10+2 for UG, Bachelor’s degree for PG), with relaxations for SC/ST/OBC categories.

Campus Facilities and Infrastructure:

HPU’s sprawling campus at Summer Hill provides a conducive environment for learning and research. The university boasts a comprehensive range of facilities:

Buildings: 12 multi-storied buildings, including Ambedkar Bhawan, Law Block, Science Blocks, Netaji Subash Chandra Bhawan, Multi-faculty Swami Vivekanand Bhawan, Gandhi Bhawan, and the Main Library. Also includes Administrative Block, Examination Block, Pre-Examination Coaching Centre for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, Medical and Health Centre, ICDEOL Building, and Human Resource Development Centre.

Libraries: A well-stocked Main Library and dedicated departmental libraries, including a comprehensive collection of books, journals, e-journals, and e-books.

Hostels: 14 hostels (4 for boys, 9 for girls) accommodating approximately 972 girls and 567 boys, equipped with mess facilities, Wi-Fi, common rooms, and indoor games.

Sports: Playground, indoor games facilities, and an outdoor stadium.

Medical & Health: Medical and Health Centre on campus.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi enabled campus with internet connectivity.

Other Amenities: Auditorium (seating 800), Faculty House, Post Office, Bank, ATMs, Cyber Cafes, Eateries, and Shops.

Laboratories: Well-equipped departmental laboratories for various science and technical disciplines (e.g., Chemistry, Computer, Physics, Bio Science, Chemical).

Research and Innovation:

HPU actively promotes research across its departments and centers. The Institute of Vocational (Tourism) Studies and the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, among others, have dedicated research policies and activities.

Research Focus: Environmental studies, indigenous technical knowledge, biodiversity and natural resources, socio-cultural, historical and linguistic studies, psycho-social studies, tribal administration, physical studies, political and economic aspects, and database preparation.

Publications: Faculty members are encouraged to publish research papers in UGC-recognized journals, apply for research projects, and engage in joint research with scholars from other universities.

Collaborations: The university engages in research collaborations with government departments (e.g., Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Himachal Pradesh) and other national and international institutions.

Research Output: Research findings are published in various forms, including books, reports, and journals like the “Tourism Development Journal” and “Himalayan Studies Journal.”

Rankings and Recognition:

Himachal Pradesh University has consistently been recognized for its academic standing:

• NAAC Accreditation: ‘A’ Grade (retained in the latest cycle on November 2, 2022).
• NIRF Ranking 2024: Ranked in the 51-100 band under State Public Universities (Overall, Management, Engineering, and Law disciplines).
• EduRank (2025): Ranked #1 in Himachal Pradesh, #105 in India, and #1057 in Asia.

Notable Alumni:

HPU has produced a remarkable list of alumni who have achieved prominence in various fields, including politics, governance, law, arts, culture, and entertainment. Some distinguished alumni include:

• Hamid Karzai: Former President of Afghanistan (MA in International Relations & Political Science, honorary DLit)
• Jagat Prakash Nadda: Current President of Bharatiya Janata Party and former Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare (LL.B.)
• Anupam Kher: Renowned Indian actor, director, and producer.
• Mohit Chauhan: Popular Indian playback singer.
• Shazia Ilmi: Indian politician and national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
• Randeep Guleria: Indian pulmonologist and ex-director of AIIMS, New Delhi.
• Anand Sharma: Former Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
• Arzu Rana Deuba: Nepali social worker, psychologist, and politician.
• Sanjay Karol: Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
• Nishad Kumar: Indian Paralympic high jumper.
• Preity Zinta: Famous Bollywood actress.
• Rubina Dilaik: Prominent television actress.
• Vijay Sharma: Indian painter and art historian.

Himachal Pradesh University continues to be a vibrant hub of learning, contributing significantly to the educational landscape of the region and the nation, fostering academic excellence, and producing leaders and professionals across diverse sectors.

FAQs about Himachal Pradesh University

What is Himachal Pradesh University and where is it located?
Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) is a public state university established in 1970, located in the Summer Hill suburb of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Is Himachal Pradesh University recognized and accredited?
Yes, HPU is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and has been accredited with an ‘A’ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

What types of programs does HPU offer?
The university offers 132 academic programs including undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate, M.Phil, PhD, and DLit courses across diverse disciplines.

How many faculties and departments does the university have?
HPU has 13 faculties, comprising 52 departments and 5 specialized centers/institutes.

How big is the HPU campus?
The campus spans approximately 200 acres, providing extensive academic, residential, and recreational facilities.

What entrance exams are accepted for admission?
Admissions are based on merit and entrance exams like HPU Entrance Exam, HPCET, HPU MAT, NEET, GATE, JEE Main, CAT, CMAT, AIAPGET, NEET PG, and NEET SS.

How do I apply to HPU programs?
Candidates must register and fill out the online application form on the official HPU website.

Does HPU offer distance education?
Yes, HPU was among the first universities in India to offer postgraduate courses via distance education.

What are some popular courses offered at HPU?
Popular programs include B.Ed, BA, BBA, BCA, B.Tech, MA, MSc, MBA, MCA, LLB, LLM, and PhD.

Who is the current Vice-Chancellor of HPU?
Prof. Sikander Kumar is the current Vice-Chancellor.

Who is the Chancellor of HPU?
The Chancellor is the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, presently Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

What facilities are available on campus?
Facilities include hostels, libraries, laboratories, sports complex, auditorium, health centre, Wi-Fi connectivity, eateries, post office, bank, and ATMs.

How many hostels does HPU have?
There are 14 hostels (9 for girls and 4 for boys), accommodating around 1,500 students in total.

Does HPU have research activities?
Yes, HPU promotes research in areas like environmental studies, biodiversity, socio-cultural studies, and indigenous knowledge, among others.

Are there dedicated research journals published by the university?
Yes, research is published in journals like the Tourism Development Journal and Himalayan Studies Journal.

What rankings has HPU received recently?
In NIRF 2024, HPU was ranked in the 51–100 band among state public universities, and EduRank placed it #1 in Himachal Pradesh, #105 in India, and #1057 in Asia.

What is the student strength at HPU?
The university has a large and diverse student body studying across various faculties and affiliated colleges.

What are the library facilities like at HPU?
HPU has a central library and departmental libraries with extensive print and digital resources, including books, journals, e-journals, and e-books.

Does HPU have any notable alumni?
Yes, notable alumni include Hamid Karzai, Anupam Kher, JP Nadda, Preity Zinta, Mohit Chauhan, Shazia Ilmi, and Randeep Guleria.

What sports facilities are provided on campus?
The campus has a playground, indoor games areas, and an outdoor stadium for students’ sports and fitness activities.

Is there medical support for students?
Yes, HPU has a Medical and Health Centre providing healthcare services on campus.

How many colleges are affiliated with HPU?
HPU has 356 affiliated colleges, including government, private, Sanskrit, and teacher education colleges.

What streams of study are available?
Streams include Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Commerce, Business Administration, Law, Engineering, Mass Communication, and more.

Does the university provide scholarships?
Yes, various scholarships and financial assistance schemes are available for eligible students, including reserved category candidates.

How can I contact HPU for admissions or general queries?
You can visit the official website (hpuniv.ac.in) or contact the university through phone or email as listed on their admissions page.