In a historic move toward rural empowerment, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya (MGCGV)—formerly Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya—was established on February 12, 1991, under a special act by the Madhya Pradesh legislature. Founded by social visionary Nanaji Deshmukh, the university was created to bridge the educational divide affecting India’s vast rural population.

Located on the serene banks of the Mandakini River in Chitrakoot, Satna, MGCGV spans a 190-acre rural campus. It stands as India’s first dedicated rural university, addressing needs in agriculture, science, technology, arts, rural development, and business management, guided by Gandhian principles of self-reliance and sustainability.

Accredited by NAAC with an ‘A’ grade in 2015, and recognized by both ICAR and UGC, the university offers a diverse range of programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels. MGCGV’s commitment to holistic development and community outreach continues the legacy of its namesake—Mahatma Gandhi—and its founder, Nanaji Deshmukh .