Guru Nanak Dev University was established at Amritsar on November 24,1969 to mark the 500th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is both a residential and an affiliating university. In conceiving the future course of the University, the objectives enshrined in the Guru Nanak Dev University Act 1969, emphasised that the new University would make provision for imparting education and promoting research in the humanities, learned professions, sciences, especially of applied nature and technology.
Studies and research on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, in addition to working towards the promotion of Punjabi language and spreading education among educationally backward classes and communities were the other commitments. In consonance with these expectations, the University in its eventful history of 35 years has taken long strides in spreading the message of the Guru and promoting education in such fields as science, arts, management, information technology, industrial technology, environment, planning and architecture. Carefully nurtured by committed academia, the University has carved a niche for itself in the academic world.