Jai Prakash University was established on 22.11.1990 by the enactment of Section 3(b) of the Bihar State Universities Act, . 1976, with its headquarters at Chapra, after carving it out from the then Bihar University (now B.R.A. Bihar University). Muzaffarpur. The territorial jurisdiction of the University is stretched over the whole of Saran Division, comprising three districts of Chapra, Siwan, and Gopalganj. The Colleges situated in these districts were automatically transferred to Jai Prakash University, Chapra. There are altogether 49 constituent Colleges, 27 affiliated Colleges, 15 B. Ed. Colleges, of which 2 are deficit Grant Colleges (including one minority college). Earlier, all the above constituent Colleges, now under J.P. University. Chapra, were under the territorial jurisdiction of the then Bihar University, Muzaffarpur. These Colleges had been established and were functional long before the birth of J. P. University. Rajendra College, Chapra, the oldest College (established in the year 1938) of this University, occupies a Special Status in the field of higher education. Bihar Govt. has decided to develop this college as Centre of Excellence and a Community College also. All the Constituent Colleges are registered with the U.G.C. under Section 2(f), included 12 (B) of the U.G.C. Act 1956, and are getting U.G.C. grants. Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, under a special package to the Bihar State, has selected seven colleges of this University for improvement of laboratory, etc. Each college will be given Rs. 50 lakhs for this purpose. Jai Prakash University has functional dimensions to strengthen the development and management of educational infrastructure associated with Pure Science, Commerce, Social Science, and allied professional education in Bihar. The University promotes quality research and innovation in skilled techniques for mankind. There are four faculties and seventeen Post Graduate Departments of teaching and research, which have proved their excellence in imparting quality education in the field of Higher Education and providing opportunities to the Students in carrying out research works of international Standard, coping with the needs of the day. They primarily focus on post-graduate (masters) programmes and doctoral research. The University has also two study centres. these centres have taught programmes (Certificate / UG Vocational Courses). These are very often attached to one of the Department/Constituent Colleges and share Dept facilities, though some have independent buildings and infrastructure. The University offers 25 UG Programmes, 17 PG courses, 17 Ph.D. Programmes, II Vocational UG Programmes.