Manipur University, Imphal was established in 1980 as Centre for Postgraduate Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University, which was then converted into a Central University in 2005.

Since its inception, the university has witnessed a tremendous growth and development.

Today, it is one of the well-known centres of higher education in the Northeast India potentially providing skilled human capital in sports, culture, performing and fine arts, social sciences, humanities, and in almost all branches of science, engineering and technology and medical sciences.

The university has introduced one-year PG Diploma Courses in Advanced Materials and Geo-Informatics Systems in the departments of Physics and Earth Sciences, respectively.

The Department of Biochemistry is recognized as the State Biotechnology Hub by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

The Departments of Manipuri, Chemistry, Economics, and Physics are receiving grants under the Special Assistance Programme of the UGC.

The Department of Life Sciences has been recognized by the University Grants Commission as a Centre of Advanced Studies in Life Sciences.