History of Bharati Vidyapeeth

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.

- H. W. Longfellow

There are perhaps many who have read this quotation by this famous American poet and educator, but very few who have ever lived by it! The idea to uplift the masses, through the medium of education was envisioned by one such person in a small room in Pune, long before quality private education became a reality in this country.

Today, that idea has crystalized into Bharati Vidyapeeth and we know that person as Dr. Patangrao Kadam, the founder of Bharati Vidyapeeth.

Early Steps

The journey of Bharati Vidyapeeth began with the vision and determination of Dr. Patangrao Kadam, a young educator who believed that quality education could transform lives and empower communities.

Growing up in rural Maharashtra, long walks to the nearest school shaped his understanding of the challenges faced by students in accessing education. These early experiences inspired a lifelong mission to make learning accessible, inclusive, and impactful.

In the early 1960s, Dr. Patangrao Kadam recognised the educational gaps that prevented many students from competing at national levels, particularly in subjects such as English and Mathematics.

Driven by a desire to strengthen academic foundations, he introduced initiatives that encouraged curiosity, learning, and competitive excellence among school students. This vision laid the groundwork for an institution committed to academic empowerment and social progress.

Established in 1964 in Pune, Bharati Vidyapeeth began in a single room with a powerful purpose – to make quality education accessible to all while creating opportunities for future generations.

Guided by the philosophy of “Social Transformation through Dynamic Education,” the institution steadily evolved from humble beginnings into one of India’s leading multidisciplinary universities.

Today, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) is recognised for its academic excellence, research, innovation, and student-centric learning.

With campuses across India, diverse professional programs, and a strong commitment to holistic development, the university continues to shape future-ready professionals while carrying forward the visionary legacy of its founder.

Bharati Vidyapeeth Today

Today, Bharati Vidyapeeth stands as one of India’s leading educational institutions, recognised for its strong legacy in higher education, professional learning, and academic excellence.

Since its establishment in 1964, the institution has evolved into a comprehensive education network offering learning opportunities from pre-primary education to postgraduate studies and university programs.

With more than 78 schools and over 60 higher education institutes, Bharati Vidyapeeth has built a distinguished presence in professional education.

Its diverse academic portfolio includes Medicine, Dentistry, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Nursing, Pharmacy, Engineering, Management, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Hotel Management, and other multidisciplinary fields designed to meet evolving industry and societal needs.

Committed to fostering innovation and knowledge creation, Bharati Vidyapeeth has established specialised research institutes in Health Sciences, Biotechnology, Information Technology, Applied Chemistry, and Social Sciences, which focus on academic advancement, scientific discovery, and community impact.

With campuses and institutions across prominent cities, including Pune, New Delhi, Navi Mumbai, Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Karad, Satara, and Panchgani, Bharati Vidyapeeth continues to expand access to quality education.

Guided by its commitment to inclusive learning, the institution also reaches rural, tribal, and underserved communities, creating meaningful educational opportunities across diverse regions of India.

Standing tall in a 10-storied building in the prestigious area of Deccan Gymkhana in the city of Pune, is the corporate office of Bharati Vidyapeeth, the heart of its pan-India operations. Once famous as the tallest building in Pune, it’s still a proud landmark of the city!

Inception of Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University)

The year 1996 marked a defining moment in the journey of Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) and the realisation of a long-cherished vision of Dr Patangrao Kadam.

In recognition of its academic excellence and contribution to higher education, the Government of India, on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission, granted “Deemed to be University” status to a cluster of 12 institutions under Bharati Vidyapeeth.

On 26 April 1996, Bharati Vidyapeeth officially became a deemed university, marking a defining chapter in its growth and educational legacy. The achievement reflected years of dedication, visionary leadership, and the unwavering commitment of Dr Patangrao Kadam to building a world-class institution focused on quality education, research and innovation.

In 2005, the Government of India further expanded the university’s academic network by bringing additional constituent institutions located across different cities under its purview vide their Notification No. E9-16/2004-U3 DT. 25/02/2005.

With the inclusion of these seven institutions across different locations, Bharati Vidyapeeth evolved into a multi-campus deemed university, further strengthening its reach, academic presence, and commitment to delivering quality higher education across India.

Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Architecture, Pune

Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Ayurved, Pune

Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Engineering, Pune

Bharati Vidyapeeth's School of Optometry, Pune

Bharati Vidyapeeth's New Law College, Pune

Bharati Vidyapeeth's Institute of Management, Kolhapur

Bharati Vidyapeeth's Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune

Bharati Vidyapeeth's Abhijit Kadam Institute of Management and Social Sciences, Solapur

Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Nursing, Sangli

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Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Nursing, Navi Mumbai

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Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Physical Education, Pune

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Bharati Vidyapeeth's Dental College & Hospital, Sangli

In addition, the Govt. of India has also brought the following two colleges within the ambit of Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) vide their Notification No. F9-7/2004-U, 3 dt.19/08/2004.

Bharati Vidyapeeth's Medical College and Hospital, Sangli

Bharati Vidyapeeth's Dental College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai

Unlike most of the Deemed to be Universities in the country, Bharati Vidyapeeth is a multi-disciplinary and multi-campus Deemed to be University, presently having under its umbrella 29 institutions of various disciplines. The University has established its credentials and reputation as a leading Deemed to be University in the country. Dr. Kadam has always emphasized that the students of Bharati Vidyapeeth should get updated and excellent education in a very hospitable and conducive atmosphere. Taking advantage of the autonomy which, it has and the flexibility which it can offer, this University has introduced numerous innovative academic programs and activities.