Guru Nanak Dev University, established on November 24, 1969, commemorates the Quincentenary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the esteemed founder of Sikhism. Functioning as both a residential and affiliating institution, the University's founding principles, as outlined in the Guru Nanak Dev University Act of 1969, underscore its mandate to provide education and foster research across a spectrum of disciplines, including the humanities, learned professions, sciences—particularly of applied nature—and technology. Embedded within the University's ethos is a steadfast commitment to embody the teachings and values espoused by Guru Nanak, the revered proponent of universal brotherhood, truthfulness, non-violence, compassion, tolerance, harmony, and humanity. Emulating the exemplary moral and ethical conduct exemplified by the Guru, the institution endeavors to imbue its academic pursuits with these enduring principles. Central to the University's mission is the scholarly examination and dissemination of the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, alongside initiatives aimed at advancing the Punjabi language and extending educational opportunities to historically marginalized communities. Over its distinguished 54-year history, Guru Nanak Dev University has emerged as a beacon of educational enlightenment, fostering academic excellence across diverse disciplines such as Science, Arts, Management, Information Technology, Media and Industrial Technology, Environment, Planning, and Architecture.

In fulfillment of its mandate, the University has waived tuition fees for students enrolled in the Department of Guru Nanak Studies and the School of Punjabi Studies, underscoring its commitment to accessibility and the promotion of scholarly pursuits rooted in Sikh ethos.The UGC conferred this University with status of “University with Potential for Excellence” in 2012. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore in December 2022 re-accredited the University in 4th cycle with CGPA of 3.85 out of 4-pointscale at “A++” the highest level grade, as per accreditation framework of NAAC. Guru Nanak Dev University has raised its h-index from 62 in 2017 to 145 in 2024 indicating the quality of research publications at national and international level. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar has also become the only University of Punjab to get the elite "Category-1" status by the University Grants Commission (UGC), giving autonomy to open new departments, schools, off-campus facilities and start new schools and distance learning programmes, besides the freedom to hire foreign faculty without the UGC’s approval.

Guru Nanak Dev University has been placed among Top Ten “High Performing State Public Universities” across India by MHRD. The University is continuously improving its NIRF ranking for consecutive last seven years and by securing 48th position in NIRF ranking in 2023 and it has become a part of elite group of top 50 universities. The WEEK- Hansa Research Best University survey 2019 has placed Guru Nanak Dev University at 7th rank in North Zone Multi-Disciplinary Universities and at 14th rank in All India Multi-Disciplinary Universities. GNDU has bagged 11th Rank in the State Universities of India in the “India Today Ranking-2020”. GNDU has also ranked 17th in India, announced by India Today (MDRA) survey 2019. GNDU has been placed amongst the top 23% Universities of the world by Centre for World University Ranking 2024 (CWUR). Guru Nanak Dev University has been tracked by Nature Index amongst top four institutions in Punjab and top 10 institutions in North India.

With the motto of the University as engraved on its emblem ‘Guru's wisdom illumines all’, the University has been leaving no stone unturned to meet the aspirations and expectations of the society. Spread over area of 500 acres towards the west of the city, Guru Nanak Dev University presents a picture of lush green landscape, modern architecture and sustainable environment. The University today boasts of 45 teaching departments at the Campus, two regional campuses and 170 affiliated, university and constituent colleges, many of which are located in the rural areas so as to make quality higher education accessible to the rural masses. All the programmes of the university compile the guidelines of New Education Policy 2020. More than 20,000 students, an overwhelming majority of them being women, are enrolled in various Departments at University Campus, Regional Campuses and University-Constituent Colleges. Online admission, online Counselling, online re-evaluation, introduction of Credit Based Evaluation & Grading System etc. are a few hallmarks of the University. All the results have been computerized and OMR (Optical Magnetic Recognition) system is being used to bring in more efficiency and transparency. It is the first University in the region to have computerized its examination and registration system. The students now have an all-time access to their results through SMS service.

Academically also, the University has carved a niche for itself in the field of higher education in the country. Our university is recognized as one of the leading institutions in North India in the domain of Arts, Humanities, Science and Technology. Many coveted projects from the apex bodies like MHRD, DST, CSIR, BARC and other organizations worth crores of rupees have been awarded to our faculty members. One of the four Nodal Calibration Centres established by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is set up at our campus. The Centre of Emerging Life Sciences equipped with the state-of-the-art scientific instruments worth crores of rupees, a well-maintained Botanical Garden, Department of Sports Medicine & Physiotherapy are a few to mention among many. A well-equipped modern computer lab with the help of TCS has been established to strengthen the University infrastructure and to prepare students for employment. Presently, a Centre with Potential for Excellence in Life Sciences and a Centre for Advanced Study in Chemistry granted by UGC are working successfully in the University. A Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has been set up in the university under the aegis of Rashtriya Uchatar Shiksha Abhiyan to provide skill-oriented training and incubation facilities.

It was in acknowledgment of our strengths that we have had the honour to host the 28th North Zone Inter-University Zonal Youth Festival 'Guldasta' under the aegis of Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India. University hosted 4-day International Conference sponsored by Indian Academy of Neurosciences: Unraveling Mysteries of Brain in Health and Disease. Guru Nanak Dev University has also hosted 56th Annual conference of Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSICON 2022), 67th Annual Conference of Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOACON-2022), 75th Annual Conference of Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA-2023) and 47th Indian Society of Periodontology ISP National Conference 2023.

The fact that the University has been the winner of the coveted Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Trophy, the highest sports award for a University in the country, for a record number of 25 times, speaks volumes about its supremacy in the field of sports. An Astro-Turf for hockey, a swimming pool of international standards, a velodrome, a gymnasium hall, a shooting range and many other state-of-the-art sports facilities are the prized possessions of the University. The Lifelong Learning Department of the University is successfully catering to the male and female folk of the region to make them self-dependent by offering various skill development programmes. In Youth Festivals - during year 2023-24 GNDU won 2nd runners up during 37th Inter University National Youth Festival 2023-24 and also won the Music Trophy in Inter-University National Youth Festival. GNDU campus stands at number one position declared as the most ‘Swachh Campus’ out of the multispecialty public universities having big campuses. Overall GNDU has been ranked 2nd in the country amongst all government universities big and small campuses put together by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India under Swachh Campus Ranking-2019. GNDU won the same award for the year 2018 also.

In the field of Science and Technology our University is one of the leading institutions in North India. Our faculty members have bagged prestigious projects from the apex bodies like the DOT, CSIR, BARC and other organizations worth crores of rupees. Recently BARC has established a Nodal Calibration Centre at the campus. This is one of the four centres established all over the country. The University has purchased instruments worth 70 crores under different schemes. The employment trajectory of our students within prominent corporate entities and multinational corporations has yielded commendable results. Graduates hailing from various disciplines such as engineering, planning, architecture, management, and commerce have secured positions both within the governmental sector and esteemed companies, both domestically and internationally. Their diligent contributions serve to enhance the prestige and standing of the University, a testament to their unwavering commitment and industriousness. The collective successes achieved can be attributed to the concerted efforts of the students, faculty members, and administrative personnel of the University. Their relentless dedication and tireless endeavors have played a pivotal role in shaping a brighter future for Punjab and fostering the development of a more enlightened and civilized society.