It was established on 26 January 1948 under the provisions of an Act enacted by the Assam Legislative Assembly and is the oldest university in Northeast India.

It has 341 affiliated colleges offering undergraduate and post graduate courses in the faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Engineering and Technology.

In 1940, the Government appointed S. K. Bhuyan as Special Officer with the task of collecting relevant information on the selection of site and related matters.

The first court meeting of the university was held on 26 January 1948, which is considered the foundation day, at the old Sudmerson Hall of Cotton College, Guwahati.

[13] To automate their internal processes, Gauhati University has chosen Kalingasoft's flagship Education ERP solution, Greycells.

The North Eastern Regional Centre (NERC) of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) is in the Gauhati University Central Library Extension Building.

The university's Krishna Kanta Handique Library is a designated 'Manuscript Conservation Centre' (MCC) under the National Mission for Manuscripts established in 2003.

[15] On 30 June 2024, the Assam Crime Investigation Department (CID) and local police arrested nine individuals, including three government officials, in connection with a mark sheet scam at Gauhati University.

[16] Concerns were raised by the Postgraduate Students’ Union, prompting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to call for an investigation.

[21] The students were given a 48-hour window, ending at 4 pm on 2 October, to relocate, with the university providing transportation facilities to facilitate the move.

A police official from the Jalukbari Outpost confirmed the arrest, stating that Barman was detained for extorting funds from students and remains in custody.

[25][26][27] On December 2, 2024, Gituraj Lahkar, an employee of Gauhati University, was arrested by Jalukbari Police on charges of accepting a bribe.

For instance, a student pursuing a BA LLB program expressed concerns about not receiving results for their third semester, which hindered their academic progress.

The Post Graduate Students’ Union (PGSU) has been vocal about these issues, citing systemic problems such as an outdated university portal, a shortage of permanent faculty, and slow processing of results by the Controller of Examinations.

Stakeholders, including current students and alumni, have called for greater transparency and accountability, with many urging the university to take concrete steps to resolve the longstanding issues.

The situation highlights the need for systematic changes to ensure timely processing of academic records and certificates, which are critical for students’ future opportunities.

[30] On December 1, 2024, the university implemented various initiatives aimed at reducing brain drain and increasing its gross enrolment ratio.

Brain drain remains a significant challenge in Assam, with many students leaving for higher studies and often not returning due to limited opportunities in the state.

Notably, retired Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, former GoC in C of Eastern Command, has been approached to teach in the Political Science department due to his expertise in geopolitics.

These steps are part of University's broader effort to enhance academic offerings, retain local talent, and improve the overall educational environment in Assam.

[31] On 7th January, 2025, Bharat Bhushan Dev Choudhury, the former Chairman of the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC), has been appointed as a visiting professor in the Political Science Department at Gauhati University.

As a visiting professor, Choudhury will engage with faculty, research scholars, and students, offering guidance on public administration and competitive exams.

During his tenure as APSC chairman, he was praised for conducting examinations on time, declaring results promptly, and introducing a new focus on analytical questions in the exam structure.

[32] Manoj Kumar Goswami, a prominent journalist, has been nominated as a Visiting Professor in the Social Science Department of Gauhati University for the current academic year.

Goswami, who holds the position of Chief Editor at Amar Asom and Editor-in-Chief at NKTV, is well-regarded for his contributions to journalism and creative literature.

[34] The Gauhati University Post Graduate Entrance Test (GUPGET) is a mandatory examination for students seeking admission to various postgraduate disciplines.

It includes stores that provide food and restaurant options, groceries, a pharmacy, stationery, photocopy and printing services, and tailoring.

It offers access to food and dining options, grocery stores, a pharmacy, stationery supplies, photocopying and printing services, and tailoring facilities.

[57] The Krishna Kanta Handiqui Library at Gauhati University was founded to support the academic needs of students, faculty, and researchers.

Named after the university's first Vice-Chancellor, Professor Krishna Kanta Handiqui, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and Orientalist, the library not only aids classroom instruction but also supports a variety of research initiatives.