Directorate of higher education was established in the Uttarakhand on July, 2001. At the time of the establishment of Directorate there were only 34 degree colleges. At present there are two Universities Kumaon and Garhwal for importing general education. They have five university campuses and 106 colleges and affiliated P.G. and degree college, 67 College are with Garhwal university and 39 college are affiliated with Kumaon University in the In addition to this, there are 16 aided colleges. Besides, the number of self financed degree colleges and institutions are constantly increasing which obviously extended the administrative and supervisory work of the directorate. The role of the directorate is extended due to quality assurance activities of Higher Education in recent years.

To provide opportunities to the youth for Higher Education according to the requirements and demands after they have received Secondary Education, to introduce them to support cultural heritage, promote research oriented development and to start the professional and employment courses along with traditional education. To make Uttarakhand as awakened/enlightened and prosperous state by developing newly created Uttarakhand as knowledge hub. Development of arts, culture and science will certainly be helpful in the personality social and central development of the youth. It will make an important contribution in the positive development of the State and National Information and Technology will have an important role and place in it.

To convert Uttarakhand into a model state which promotes a very high level of educational attainments for its population arts, science and culture, insures every individuals personal development to its full potential, vanishes poverty and unemployment through appropriate training in employable skills of all who need them and create an ambience and infrastructure for the growth of centers of excellence in education and research and in the application of science and technology for development. Higher education ensure opportunity for quality education as well as professional education to all deserving students, To meet the growing demands for educated and skilled personnel for the emerging knowledge economy.

• To ensure opportunity for quality higher education as well as professional education to all deserving students.
• To meet the growing demands for educated and skilled personnel for the emerging knowledge economy.
• To offer training in employable skills to unemployed youth and adults in order to contribute substantially in skill enhancement of unemployed personnel in the state.
• To attract private investment in establishing institutions for quality education and research