Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) 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.

University Grants Commission has granted “Category One” status to Guru Nanak Dev University, the only university to get this elite status in the region of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. GNDU is a premier university of North India with a score of 3.51 on 4.00 scale of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (accredited at highest level i.e. A++ as per the new modified criteria) and it has also been conferred with the status of “University with Potential for Excellence” by UGC.

Studies and research on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, in addition to working towards the promotion of the 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 43 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. To fulfil its commitment, the tuitions fee charged from the students of the departments of Guru Nanak Studies and the School of Punjabi Studies has been waived.

The motto of the University as engraved on its emblem Guru's wisdom illumines all speaks of the vision and idealism for which the University stands. Spread over a stretch of 500 acres towards the west of the City, Guru Nanak Dev University presents a picture of modern architecture. Traditional red brick geometrical blocks represent its regard for time-honoured values and commitment to scientific advancement.