History

CHRIST (Deemed to be University) was born out of the educational vision of St Kuriakose Elias Chavara, an educationalist and social reformer of the nineteenth century. He founded the first Catholic indigenous congregation, Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), in 1831 which administers CHRIST (Deemed to be University). Being indigenous, the congregation is rooted in the Indian context and responds proactively to the socio-cultural-economic issues of children, women, youth and the people.

Established in 1969 as Christ College, it has undertaken path-breaking initiatives in Indian higher education with the introduction of innovative and modern curricula with insistence on academic rigorousness, imparting of Holistic Education (academic excellence, professional competence and personal, interpersonal and societal skills) and adoption of global higher education practices with the support of professional and dedicated staff. The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India conferred Autonomy to Christ College in 2004 and identified it as an Institution with Potential for Excellence in 2006. In 2008 under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, the Ministry of Human Resource Development of Government of India, declared the institution a Deemed to be University, in the name and style of Christ (Deemed to be University). It is one of the first institutions in India to be accredited by NAAC, in 1998 and subsequently in 2004 and 2016, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) obtained Grade ‘A’ in the 4-point scale.

The multi-disciplinary University which focuses on teaching, research, consultancy and service offers Bachelors to Doctoral programmes in humanities, social sciences, science, commerce, management, engineering, education and law to over 21000 students. It has successfully institutionalized student and faculty involved social responsibility initiatives within the campus and in urban, rural and tribal areas. The campus is a living example for the harmonious multiculturalism with students from all the states of India and from around 60 different countries.

CHRIST (Deemed to be University) publishes six peer-reviewed research journals and has published more than 300 books in Kannada and English. A promoter of sports, music and literary activities, it is a nurturing ground for creative excellence and development of the ‘whole person’.