Mahatma Gandhi University was established in the year 1983.Previously it was known as Gandhiji University. It was the 5th University to be established in Kerala. It is located at Central Kerala.The University plays crucial role in spreading higher education in the Revenue Districts of Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki, Kozhencherry, Mallappally, Thiruvalla and Ranni Taluks of the Pathanamthitta District and Kuttanad Taluk of the Alapuzha District.

The main campus of that University is situated at Athirampuzha.Apart from that there are seven campuses at Pullarikunnu, Soorya Kalady Hills, Nattasserry, Puthuppally, Gandhinagar, Cheruvandoor Thodupuzha and Chuttippara.

The University offers around 400 Courses in graduate, postgraduate level. The University has also M.Phil/Ph.D. programmes. There are twenty-two departments in the University. Besides, 22 Engineering Colleges, 1 Law College, 3 Medical Colleges, 20 Nursing Colleges, 7 SME Nursing Institutes, 4 Pharmacy Colleges, 4 Dental Colleges, 3 Ayurveda Colleges, 2 Homoeo Colleges, 1 Music and Fine Arts College, 121 Arts and Science colleges, 37 Education Training Colleges and 12 University Colleges of Teacher Education are affiliated to the University.

. Mahatma Gandhi University has spread branches beyond its territorial jurisdiction. There are 55 centres within Kerala, 9 outside Kerala and 8 abroad centers under the aegis of Mahatma Gandhi University. The university also runs 10 Inter disciplinary Schools of teaching and research and 12 schools of higher learning in Applied Science and Professional Studies. To develop the standard the university is taking help of various famous institutions like CIRAD, Mont Pellvier, France, EHESS, Paris, French Institute, Pondicherry, Toronto University, Bucknev University, Catholic University, Belgium, Max Plank Institute of Technology, Germany, California, Institute of Technology, USA, University of Nantos, France, Edinburgh University, City University, USA, and Ruth Cohn Institute of Theme Centred Interaction, Switzerland.

The schools of Chemical Sciences of the University are famous for the research work. They got 6 U.S. Patents and 12 Indian Patents for the invention of indigenous technologies. Apart from that the University has made its presence in various field of research. The University rewarded 865 doctoral degrees in various subjects. Presently the University is all set to establish Intellectual Property Facilitation Center with a view to enhance the standard of the research works. This University is the leading University in the field of Self-finance professional and job-oriented education in the state. At present the University offers several Self-finance professional courses in Engineering, Applied Sciences, Nursing and Allied Medical sciences.

The University has one Central Library, 21 Departmental Libraries, 4 Study Centres and 6 Information Centres.The Central Library has on-line facility. By which one can read over 2500 National and International research journals. The University has published several books in Malayalam English and Hindi in collaboration with famous publishers like Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, BI Publications, DC Books, Modern Book Centre and Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam, Aranmula.

In the field of social work the University also made its mark. In 1989 it launched Kottayam Literacy Campaign. The University also established Nalpathimala Grama Vikas Kendra and Rehabilitation Center under the School of Behavioral Sciences. The University got many accreditations for these kinds of works. The University regularly organized lectures, seminars, and workshops on various subjects. In 2004 Dr. Jancy James was appointed as the first woman Vice -Chancellor of the State.