Ranchi University, Ranchi

Ranchi University is a public state university in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, established on 12 July 1960 as a teaching cum affiliating university under an Act of the Bihar legislature. Bishnudeo Narayan Singh was its first vice-chancellor. Originally covering all degree colleges of present-day Jharkhand, its jurisdiction was reduced over time with the creation of Vinoba Bhave University (1992), Nilamber Pitamber University (2009), and Kolhan University (2009). Today it governs colleges in Ranchi, Gumla, Khunti, Simdega, and Lohardaga districts, comprising 15 constituent and 29 affiliated colleges, including medical, nursing, engineering, and law institutions. The university is organized into three faculties: Science, Humanities, and Social Sciences and Commerce, offering a range of departments. It has a central library with over 100,000 books and a museum run by its Anthropology department. The Governor of Jharkhand serves as Chancellor, with a Vice-Chancellor as chief executive. Ranchi University is recognized under Section 12B of the UGC Act and received a 'B+' NAAC grade in 2017. The university has faced allegations of corruption, including embezzlement of UGC funds and a 2000 scandal involving its vice-chancellor's arrest for staff appointment fraud.