Kerala University of Health Sciences was established by the 'Kerala University of Health Sciences Act 2010',

for ensuring proper and systematic instruction, teaching, training and research in Modern Medicine, Homoeopathy and Indian Systems of Medicine including Ayurveda, Siddha, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani and other allied sciences and also to have uniformity in the various academic programmes in medical and allied subjects in the State of Kerala. The University is situated at Thrissur, Kerala.

The University is mandated to affiliate all Colleges and Institutions in Kerala, imparting professional education in health care. So far 249 professional colleges have been affiliated to the University.