The erstwhile Sido Kanhu University (S.K.U.), now rechristened Sido Kanhu Murmu University (S.K.M.U) was founded on 10th January 1992 by an act of Bihar Legislative Assembly. The University came under the Government of Jharkhand when the new state of Jharkhand was formed in the year 2000. On May 31, 2007, the University was granted recognition by the University Grants Commission under section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956. The jurisdiction of the University extends over the six districts of Santhal Pargana where its 13 constituent and 9 permanently affiliated colleges are located.