Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune (Declared as Deemed to be University) was also referred as Deccan College was established on 17th August 1939 and runs under Deccan Education Society, which was established in 1884.

It is one of the premier institutions established to impart & provide in the field of higher education for the deserving candidates and prove to be a milestone in the part of progress.

On 5th March 1990, the Institute was declared to be as Deemed to be University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956). The college status is the grant-in-aid which is totally governed by Government of India.

It is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) & 12(B) under Act, 1956 and re-accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with "A" Grade (CGPA Score 3.16 on a 4 Point Scale in 3rd Cycle) on 3rd March 2015 and valid till 2nd March 2020.

College at a glance:

The Hindoo College was founded on 6th October 1821 by the Bombay Presidency Government at the initiative of its Governor, Mountstuart Elphinstone by using the Dakshina Fund, which was started by Khanderao Dabhade, a Maratha Sardar and continued by the Peshwas for propagating Sanskrit studies.

This College grew from strength to strength and has emerged as one of the foremost Institutes of higher learning and research in the world. It was renamed as the Poona College on 7th June 1851 and later as the Deccan College in October 1864.

The Deccan College was shifted to a new campus covering an area of 115 acres near Yerawada on 23rd March 1868. With the help of a munificent grant of 1 lakh donated by Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy, the main building of the college was built in a beautiful Gothic style.

The Deccan College, since then, has produced a number of students who rose to positions of excellence in various walks of life. They include Sir Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar, the celebrated Indologist, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the great nationalist leader, Gurudev Ramchandra Dattatreya Ranade, the eminent philosopher, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, the great social reformer, Vishwanath Kashinath Rajawade, the famous historian, Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis, the famous Indian medical practitioner who rendered yeoman's service in China, etc.

The college was closed down by the British Government in 1934, but thanks to the efforts of the past students and public-spirited citizens, it was reopened on 17th August 1939 as Deccan College, Post-Graduate and Research Institute, by the Transfer Deed, passed by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court. The Past Students Association of this University is growing in strength and actively participates in the development of the University.

As per the Transfer Deed, the State Government was asked to run the Institute in perpetuity. Subsequently, two bodies came into existence - The Deccan College Poona Trust, as the custodian of the landed property and the Deccan College, Post-Graduate and Research Institute to take care of the academic activities of the Institute.

In recognition of the excellence achieved by the Institute both in teaching and research, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, awarded it the status of a Deemed University in 1990 vide its Notification No. F.9-17/84-U.3 dated 5th, March 1990.

The Institute started functioning as a Deemed University from the academic year 1994-95. Since then the University has conducted its own courses for M. A. and P. G. Diploma in Archaeology and M.A. degree in Linguistics and has also enrolled a large number of students for the Ph.D. degree in these disciplines. From the academic year 2010-11, the Deemed University has started a new Department of Sanskrit and Lexicography.

At present, the university offers diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, & doctorate courses with various specializations. It also offers Add-On Certificate courses.

Vision:

• To build ancient knowledge system through discovery and scientific analyses of valuable information and historical data and to disseminate its significance to the region and the nation to achieve cultural growth, social parity, national integration and provide future direction

Mission:

• Provide an exceptionally conducive learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional achievements, and responsible global citizenship
• Synthesise archaeological, linguistic and Sanskrit literary aspects in heritage-related studies to achieve leadership in the country and outside
• Generate and spread the primary sources to educate common people about the significance of traditional knowledge system and involve them in the preservation and protection of the cultural heritage of the country
• Provide equal social and economic opportunities to all sections of the society, a step towards national integration
• Provide academic services to other national and international organizations through consultancy, specialized lectures, exhibitions, scientific analyses of data, etc.