The Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla has a beautiful and sprawling campus spread over 200 acres. Its beautiful surroundings present a panoramic view of snow peaked mountains, rhododendron, silver oak, pine and deodar trees. Its salubrious climate and congenial atmosphere is ideally suited to pursue higher studies and research.

It is an affiliating-cum-residential university. Overcoming many limitations peculiar to hill universities, it has been able to make a steady progress, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in expanse and dimension, and it is forging ahead towards its goal of excellence.

From the point of view of academic expanse, the canvas of the University has become sufficiently enlarged. Presently, it has 12 faculties (8 are campus based); 29 Teaching departments; 15 specialized teaching, research and training centres; and six chairs. These faculties, departments, centres and 'chairs' have been promoting education in different areas/subjects/disciplines, which are particularly in great demand the world over.

On the Campus, there are 276 teachers in position to-date. Out of these 52 are professors; 76 are readers and 148 are lecturers. About 4112 students are receiving education in different Teaching Departments. The teacher-student ratio on the campus is about 1:15.

There are as many as 106 conventional and professional colleges affiliated to or constituent of the University. These include one Ayurvedic College, two Medical Colleges, four Dental Colleges, two Engineering Colleges out of which one (REC) is an autonomous college, a University College of Business Studies, a University Evening College, seven colleges of Education, thirty six Government UG and PG colleges including evening colleges in different districts, thirty three Government-aided colleges, nineteen Sanskrit Colleges, out of which five enjoy the status of affiliated colleges and the remaining fourteen that of associated colleges.

The University provides learning opportunities, both through the regular and distance modes. It is catering to the needs of about 1.35 lac students. Out of these, 45,000 students are spread in remote and tribal areas of the Pradesh and other parts of the country and are receiving education at their doorsteps. That way, it is not only a State University but right from its inception it has had a national coverage and character.

Infrastructural development has been rather a difficult, time-consuming and costly task in the hilly terrain. Despite this, the University has been able to build 10 multi-storey buildings for housing Teaching Departments and each department has a separate seminar room/hall.

There are 9 Computer Labs and a Computer Centre, a Cyber Café, specialized Science Labs and one Digital Electronic Lab. LAN is available in many departments with E-mail and internet facility. The campus-wide optical fiber network is also at an advanced stage of implementation. Recently, the University has also upgraded its EPABX from 90 lines to 524 lines to enhance communication amongst different widely spread centres and departments.

It has one very impressive and rich Six-storey Library, besides Departmental Libraries. It has a collection of 1,81,127 books; it subscribes to 504 journals, out of which 311 are national and 193 are international journals. Besides this, the departmental libraries have their own collection of books urgently needed by them.
There are two administrative blocks, one for the main University office and the other for International Centre for Distance Education and Open Learning(LCDEOL).

There are 12 hostel blocks, which provide special facilities to SC & ST students. All girl students are provided hostel accommodation.
There are two Guest Houses and two Auditoriums, one e
xclusively for girls.
The university has a cricket stadium and playground, besides residential accommodation for teaching and non-teaching staff.

An Indoor Gymnasium; a Tribal students hostel for 200 students; a full-fledged Student Centre, and separate buildings for Management Studies, Examination wing and Information Technology are under construction.

In terms of quality, the University is on a sound footing and has a promising future. It has been working for societal welfare, economic development and nation building. Being the only multi-faculty affiliating University in the State, it has been serving, besides others, the people living in difficult, remote and tribal areas through teaching, research and extension activities. It has contributed significantly in producing scientific, technical and professional manpower required for the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors at the regional and national levels.