Manipur was taken under the British rule in the year 1891. When India became independent in the year 1947, the state of Manipur was merged with the Indian Union and was placed under a chief commissioner in 1949. The Union Territory of Manipur got the separate status of a state on 21st January 1972. The state’s policy on education is based on the national policy that emphasizes on universalisation of elementary education.

The Department of Education has the power of supervision and inspection, framing of curriculum and syllabi and selection of textbooks. At present, the Education Department of Manipur has four different entities viz.

1. Department of Education (University and Higher Education)
2. Department of Education (S)
3. State Council of Educational Research and Training, Government of Manipur and
4. Department of Adult Education.

The Manipur University came into existence on June 5, 1980. It is constituted under the Manipur University Act, 1980 (Manipur Act No VIII of 1980). The Varsity which has jurisdiction all over the state of Manipur has affiliated colleges and 3 permitted colleges situated at different parts of the state. In total, Manipur has two universities, one medical college and a number of professional colleges providing higher education to the students of the state.