Originally it was conceived as a unitary multi-faculty teaching and research university, primarily meant for the development and enrichment of the Punjabi language and culture, but alive to the social and education requirements of the state.

[1] Although initially, the main task before the university was to develop and promote the language of the Punjabi people, it has since evolved into a multi-faculty educational institution.

The university campus is spread over an area of over 600 acres (2.4 km2), on the Patiala-Chandigarh road, about 7 kilometres from Patiala.

[5] The campus has amenities like a State Bank of India branch, Post office, Science and Arts Auditorium, open-air theatre, guest and faculty houses, seminar complexes, faculty club, botanical garden and several spacious lawns, a model school and own fleet of buses for transportation of students and staff.

[citation needed] The university has undertaken the responsibility of maintaining the estate of Norah Richards at Andretta, Himachal Pradesh.

Arrangements have been made for faculty members and students who wish to carry out study and research in the fields of theatre and television.

The university manages Balbir Singh Sahitya Kendra at Dehradun, the capital city of the Uttarakhand.

[6] Punjabi University also maintains seven neighborhood campuses at Rampura Phul, Jhunir, Sardulgarh, Ralla, Maur, Jaito and Dehla Seehan.

Many of science departments have been able to develop research tie-ups with industry and have undertaken several consultancy assignments.

[citation needed] To ensure academic freedom, the departments organize seminars, symposia, conferences and workshops every year.

[22] Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha Central Library is a hub of academic and research activities.

The university has been awarded Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy nine times, the latest being in the year 2016–2017.

MAKA Trophy represents the highest award given for inter-university sports and university sportsperson performance in international and national arena by the Government of India.

The transport department runs a fleet of buses for linking the campus to various parts of Patiala city.

Punjabi University's graduates have found success in a variety of diverse fields including cultural, political, film industry, social-service, public and private sectors.