culture and human adaptation strategies in response to the need and constraints imposed by these massive mountain regions and working environment conducive to think about particles, spectra and structure of matter. Identification of the departments of Physics, Chemistry and Geology for DSA and CONSIST under Special Assistance Programme of the University Grants Commission, FIST programme in four departments (Geology, Botany, Forestry at DSB Campus, Nainital and Geography at SSJ Campus, Almora), Identification of Department of Physics as Centre of Excellence by the State, Department of Geography for Setting up Centre of Excellence for NRDMS in Uttarakhand by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, winning of two Bhatnagar awards and numerous other national and international awards and two FNAs in our university speak
of its achievements.

Residents of the kumaun region had been demanding for a highest seat of learning in their region which could not only cater the needs of the local students but could also provide them with an education platform from where they could gather enough confidence to compete in any challenging environment. The dream desire came into existence in the year 1973 when the University was established with its administrative office in Nainital, two constituent colleges at Almora and Nainital (which later on became Campuses of the University) and affiliated colleges spread over the whole Kumaun region.

The strength of the colleges affiliated with the University has been increasing with the passage of time. Presently the University has one more campus at Bhimtal, rendering professional, technical and vocational education and 62 affiliated colleges (31 Government colleges, 04 private colleges and 27 Institutes imparting technical and management skills.