Guru Nanak Dev University, established on November 24, 1969, commemorates the quincentenary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the esteemed founder of Sikhism. Functioning as both a residential and affiliating institution, the University's founding principles, as outlined in the Guru Nanak Dev University Act of 1969, underscore its mandate to provide education and foster research across a spectrum of disciplines, including the humanities, learned professions, sciences (particularly of applied nature), and technology. Embedded within the University's ethos is a steadfast commitment to embody the teachings and values espoused by Guru Nanak, the revered proponent of universal brotherhood, truthfulness, non-violence, compassion, tolerance, harmony, and humanity. Emulating the exemplary moral and ethical conduct exemplified by the Guru, the institution endeavors to imbue its academic pursuits with these enduring principles. Central to the University's mission is the scholarly examination and dissemination of the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, alongside initiatives aimed at advancing the Punjabi language and extending educational opportunities to historically marginalized communities. Over its distinguished 56-year history, Guru Nanak Dev University has emerged as a beacon of educational enlightenment, fostering academic excellence across diverse disciplines such as Science, Arts, Management, Information Technology, Media and Industrial Technology, Environment, Planning and Architecture. In fulfillment of its mandate, the University has waived tuition fees for students enrolled in the Department of Guru Nanak Studies and the School of Punjabi Studies, underscoring its commitment to accessibility and the promotion of scholarly pursuits rooted in Sikh ethos.

The UGC conferred this University with status of "University with Potential for Excellence". The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore in December 2022 re-accredited the University in 4th cycle with CGPA of 3.85 out of 4-point scale at "A++", the highest-level grade, as per accreditation framework of NAAC. The University's research output has seen remarkable growth, with a 179% rise in its h-index from 62 in 2017 to 173 in 2025 and a 143% increase in Scopus-indexed publications from 5,218 to 12,709 to date. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar has also become the first University of Punjab to get the elite "Category-1" status by the University Grants Commission (UGC), giving autonomy to open new departments, schools, off-campus facilities and start new schools and distance learning programmes, besides the freedom to hire foreign faculty without the UGC's approval.

Guru Nanak Dev University has been placed among Top Ten "High Performing State Public Universities" across India by MHRD. GNDU has been placed amongst the top 23% Universities of the world by Centre for World University Ranking 2024 (CWUR). Guru Nanak Dev University has been tracked by Nature Index amongst top four institutions in Punjab and top 10 institutions in North India. The India Today in its MDRA Best University Ranking Survey 2025 for the session 2024-25 has ranked the University at 12th rank overall under the category of Top General Government University in India-2024. The University has become the first government University of northern India to launch E-Sanad portal in 2025 providing a centralized platform for contactless and paperless document verification/attestation service for the Indian citizens.

With the motto of the University as engraved on its emblem "Guru's wisdom illumines all", the University has been leaving no stone unturned to meet the aspirations and expectations of the society. Spread over area of 500 acres towards the west of the city, Guru Nanak Dev University presents a picture of lush green landscape, modern architecture and sustainable environment. The University today boasts of 46 teaching departments at the Campus, two regional campuses and 170 affiliated, university and constituent colleges, many of which are located in the rural areas so as to make quality higher education accessible to the rural masses. All the programmes of the University compile the guidelines of New Education Policy 2020. As per NEP-2020, GNDU has also appointed 12 NEP-SAARTHIs from various faculties. These SAARTHIs will become the brand ambassadors of the University and disseminate the NEP-2020 guidelines to the students. More than 20,000 students, an overwhelming majority of them being women, are enrolled in various Departments at University Campus, Regional Campuses and University-Constituent Colleges. Online admission, online Counselling, online re-evaluation, introduction of Credit Based Evaluation and Grading System etc. are a few hallmarks of the University. All the results have been computerized and OMR (Optical Magnetic Recognition) system is being used to bring in more efficiency and transparency. It is the first University in the region to have computerized its examination and registration system. The students now have an all-time access to their results through SMS service.

Academically also, the University has carved a niche for itself in the field of higher education in the country. Our University is recognized as one of the leading institutions in North India in the domain of Arts, Humanities, Science and Technology. Many coveted projects from the apex bodies like MHRD, DST, CSIR, BARC and other organizations worth crores of rupees have been awarded to our faculty members. In the field of Science and Technology, our University is one of the leading institutions in North India. Recently BARC has established a Nodal Calibration Centre at the campus. This is one of the four centres established all over the country. The Centre of Emerging Life Sciences equipped with the state-of-the-art scientific instruments worth crores of rupees, a well-maintained Botanical Garden, Department of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy are a few to mention among many. A well-equipped modern computer lab with the help of TCS has been established to strengthen the University infrastructure and to prepare students for employment. Presently, a Centre with potential for excellence and a centre for Advanced Study in Chemistry granted by UGC is working successfully in the University. A Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has been set up in the University under the aegis of Rashtriya Uchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to provide skill-oriented training and incubation facilities.

To promote and strengthen the culture of research, the University has extended its research facilities to affiliated colleges as well. In addition, a dedicated Research Fund has been established by the University to provide financial support to deserving scholars. Under this initiative, the University offers 100 fellowships, each amounting to Rs. 8,000 per month, to Ph.D. research scholars. These fellowships are intended to encourage high-quality research, enable scholars to pursue their studies without financial constraints, and foster innovation and academic excellence across various disciplines.