Patna University

Patna University, the first university in Bihar, was established in 1917 during the British Raj, and is the seventh oldest university of the Indian subcontinent. At that time, the jurisdiction of the university extended to Bihar, Odisha, and the Kingdom of Nepal. The university oversaw examinations for educational institutions ranging from school finals to the postgraduate levels. This continued almost for four decades, until the establishment of the Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, and the Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar.

The university has colleges and institutions that cover areas of study including law, teacher training, science, arts, commerce, medicine and engineering. Since 1974, the university has a Directorate of Distance Education.

Some scholars who contributed to the growth of the University include the Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar', Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Ram Avatar Sharma, Pandit Nalin Vilochan Sharma, Pandit Devendranath Sharma, Dr. R. K. Sinha and Sir Chandeshwar Prasad Narayan Singh.

Colleges Under Patna University:

• Patna College
• Patna Science College
• Bihar College of Engineering
• College of Arts and Crafts
• Bihar National College
• Patna Women's College
• Patna Medical College and Hospital
• Patna Dental College
• Magadh Mahila College
• Patna Training College
• Patna Law College
• Vanijya Mahavidyala
• The Bihar College of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• The Women’s Training College