University of Lucknow

The University of Lucknow, also known as Lucknow University or LU, is a public state university located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Established in 1920, it is the largest state university in Uttar Pradesh and offers both on-campus and online programmes. The main campus is situated in the Badshah Bagh area of the city, with a second campus at Jankipuram and plans for a third campus in Sitapur district focused on vocational and skill development courses.

LU traces its origins to Canning College, founded in 1864 in memory of Lord Charles John Canning, the first Viceroy of British India. Initially, Canning College operated under the University of Calcutta and later the University of Allahabad before being integrated into the University of Lucknow at its establishment. The university began teaching in 1921, with faculties including Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, and Medicine, utilising facilities from Canning College and King George’s Medical College.

The university is organised into thirteen faculties and over fifty departments, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across diverse fields. It affiliates more than 550 colleges in five districts surrounding Lucknow. The university is a teaching, residential, and affiliating institution, providing residential facilities with several hostels for students and staff.

LU holds the distinction of being the only state university in Uttar Pradesh to receive "Category-I" status from the University Grants Commission (UGC) for excellence in teaching and research. It is also the first public university in the state to be accredited with A++ status by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). According to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024, LU ranks 97th overall in India and 23rd in Law.

The University of Lucknow, commonly referred to as Lucknow University or LU, is a public state university located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Its origins trace back to the colonial period during British rule in India, a time when the Indian educational system underwent significant transformation from the traditional Gurukul system to formal schools, colleges, and universities. The establishment of the University of Lucknow is linked closely with this transition.

The foundation for the university was laid through the establishment of Canning College, founded in 1864. The college was named after Lord Charles John Canning, the first Viceroy of British India, who passed away in 1862. In recognition of his loyalty during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, a group of talukdars (local landowners) in Awadh decided to contribute a portion of their income to start an educational institution. Canning High School was initially set up with 200 students in two rooms of a mansion in Khayaliganj, Aminabad.

Canning College played a key role in fostering education in the region and strengthening the ties between the local aristocracy and the British administration in Oudh (now Uttar Pradesh). Maharaja Man Singh proposed the idea of the college as a memorial to Lord Canning in 1882. The college aimed to provide education that would develop the nation's resources and combat ignorance. It began without a dedicated building and moved between various locations, including Aminuddaulah Palace and Lal Baradari, before settling in Kaisar Bagh. The foundation stone for its permanent building was laid by Viceroy Sir John Lawrence in 1867, and the building was formally opened in 1878 by Sir George Couper.

During its early years, Canning College functioned under the University of Calcutta's jurisdiction until 1888, when it came under the University of Allahabad. In 1905, the Government granted the college the use of the extensive Badshah Bagh garden north of the Gomti river. This garden had formerly been a royal property and was leased to the college at a nominal rent. Some historic structures such as the Lal Baradari and the garden’s gates remain part of the university’s heritage.

The formal establishment of the University of Lucknow was the result of efforts by local educationists and administrators. The idea was first promoted by Raja Sir Mohammad Ali Mohammad Khan of Mahmudabad, who published an article urging the foundation of a university in Lucknow. Sir Harcourt Butler, Lieutenant-Governor of the United Provinces, supported the proposal and helped revive it.

A General Committee of educationists met at Government House in Lucknow on 10 November 1919, chaired by Sir Harcourt Butler. It was resolved that the new university would be unitary, teaching, and residential, following recommendations from the Calcutta University Mission of 1919. It was to consist of faculties including Arts (with Oriental Studies), Science, Medicine, Law, and Commerce. Six sub-committees were appointed to address various aspects of the university’s organisation.

Donations were made towards the university’s establishment, notably one lakh rupees each from the Rajas of Mahmudabad and Jahangirabad. The proposed university scheme was reviewed and approved by the University of Allahabad Senate in 1920. Subsequently, a draft bill was prepared by C.F. de la Fosse, Director of Public Instruction, and introduced in the Legislative Council in August 1920. After amendments, including liberalising the constitution of university bodies and the addition of the Faculty of Commerce, the University of Lucknow Act was passed in October 1920. The Act received the assent of the Lieutenant-Governor on 1 November 1920 and of the Governor-General on 25 November 1920, officially creating the university.

The University’s governance structures were constituted in early 1921, including the Court, Executive Council, Academic Council, and Faculties. Formal teaching began on 17 July 1921. Classes in Arts, Science, Commerce, and Law were held at Canning College, while medical teaching took place at King George’s Medical College and Hospital. The Canning College was formally integrated into the university on 1 July 1922, while King George’s Medical College was transferred in March 1921.

The foundation of the University of Lucknow rested on three colleges: King George’s Medical College (now King George’s Medical University), Canning College, and Isabella Thoburn College. These institutions brought with them decades of educational tradition and resources, along with financial support from local talukdars and government grants. Since its establishment, the government of Uttar Pradesh has consistently contributed towards the university’s maintenance.

The university’s main campus is situated on the grounds of the former Badshah Bagh estate, covering over 219 acres. Over the years, the university has expanded its facilities and departments, organising itself into thirteen faculties and fifty-one departments. It continues to offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across a wide range of disciplines.

The University of Lucknow offers a wide range of academic programmes across various disciplines, organised into thirteen faculties and over fifty departments. The university provides undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses designed to cater to the diverse educational needs of students.

Undergraduate programmes at the university include 15 courses across multiple faculties such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Engineering and Technology, Management Studies, Education, Fine Arts, Yoga and Alternative Medicine, Ayurveda, and Unani. These courses provide foundational knowledge and practical skills required for various professional fields. Some popular undergraduate degrees include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), and Bachelor of Engineering (BE).

At the postgraduate level, the university offers 67 programmes that allow students to specialise in their chosen fields. These include Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Commerce (MCom), Master of Laws (LLM), and Master of Business Administration (MBA), among others. The university also provides postgraduate diplomas and certificate courses through its various institutes and centres, such as the Centre for Online, Open and Distance Learning.

Research-oriented students can pursue doctoral degrees (PhD) across many departments, engaging in advanced study and contributing to academic knowledge. The university supports research in areas ranging from humanities and social sciences to natural sciences, engineering, and medical sciences.

The faculties at Lucknow University cover an extensive array of subjects. The Faculty of Arts includes departments such as Anthropology, Economics, English, Geography, Hindi, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and various Oriental and modern languages. The Faculty of Sciences offers courses in Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology.

The Faculty of Engineering and Technology provides programmes in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, and Electronics and Communication Engineering. Faculties dedicated to Ayurveda, Unani, Yoga and Alternative Medicine offer traditional medical and wellness courses, reflecting the university’s commitment to diverse educational streams.

Management Studies and Commerce faculties cover subjects related to business administration, applied economics, and commercial studies. The Faculty of Law specialises in legal education, preparing students for professional practice.

In addition to degree courses, the university’s institutes and centres conduct specialised programmes in areas such as Public Health, Tourism Studies, Advanced Computing, Development Studies, and Human Consciousness & Yogic Sciences.

The University of Lucknow holds recognition in national rankings that assess higher education institutions across India. According to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2024, the university is ranked 97th overall among universities in the country. In the specific category of Law, the university is placed 23rd nationwide

According to the Overall NIRF report 2024 released by the University of Lucknow, the median salary package offered during undergraduate placements in 2023 was INR 7.95 lakh per annum (LPA) for three-year programmes and INR 7.5 LPA for four-year programmes. For postgraduate students completing two-year courses, the median package stood at INR 7.45 LPA in the same year.

The highest salary package offered during the 2023 placement season reached INR 23.61 LPA, while the average package across all placements was INR 8.6 LPA. The overall median package for all placements in 2023 was recorded at INR 14.4 LPA.

Several prominent companies participated in the placement process, with leading recruiters including Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), MRF Limited, and Samsung.

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