The erstwhile GandhiJi University now known as Mahatma Gandhi University was established on 2nd of October 1983 is the fifth University in the southern most state of Kerala for providing higher education. The university has jurisdiction over Central Revenue districts namely Districts of Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki, Kozhencherry, Mallappally, Thiruvalla and Ranni Taluks of the Pathanamthitta District and Kuttanad Taluk of the Alapuzha. The Mahatma Gandhi University Kerala is the pioneer of self financing stream of education in the state, by starting the system in the year 1993.

The main university campus is spread over 110 acres of land in Athirampuzha. The university has 7 satellite campuses at Pullarikunnu, Soorya Kalady Hills, Nattasserry, Puthuppally, Gandhinagar and Cheruvandoor in Kottayam, Thodupuzha in Idukki District and Chuttippara in Pathanamthitta District. The University offers 410 courses. The courses offered by the university are approved from University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. An average 150000 students secure enrollment every year for study.

This is one of the most important universities in Kerala with 114 research centers dedicated to offer facilities and scope to the research students in the state.