Jiwaji University was established as a teaching and affiliating University on 23rd May 1964, under the provision of M. P. Government Ordinance no. 15 of 1963. Dr. Sarwapalli Radhakrishanan, the then President of India, laid the foundation stone of the University Campus on 11th December 1964.

Her Excellency Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia inaugrating His Excellency Jiwaji Rao Scindia's statue

Right from its inception, Jiwaji University started with a status of a residential and an affiliating University. The territorial jurisdiction of the affiliation extends to six districts of Gwalior and Chambal Division, viz., Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Guna, Shivpuri and Datia. To begin with, the University had a total of 29 affiliated colleges. Those have steadily increased to more than 100 colleges. Till date of 26 Government and 7 non-Government colleges impart teaching up to postgraduate level. Some of the colleges have also developed into recognized research centers. 

The university started post-graduate teaching and research from the session 1966-67 with the establishment of Schools of Studies in Botany and Zoology. The Schools of Studies in Physics, Chemistry and Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology were started from the session 1969-70. The School of Studies in Economics and Mathematics came into existence from the session 1978-79, which the School of Studies in Commerce started from the session 1980-81 and that of Biochemistry from the session 1986-87. The University also started MBA course under the School of studies in Commerce from the session 1987, during the VII plan period the School of Studies in Library and Information Science was established in 1986.  Under the VIII plan development programme University has established School of Studies in Earth Science in 1991.

A post-graduate Diploma Course in tourism (PGDTM)  was also started .Presently the  SOS in tourism is running Master in tourism administration programme . The University has also a center of foreign Language since 1986, which presently imparts diploma and certificate courses in English, French, German and Russian.

The  Indira Gandhi Academy of Environment Education, on interdisciplinary programmes of environment and Ecoplanning was established in 1989.

A Center for M. Phil Studies in Sociology and Political Science was establishedin 1990. 

The University science and Instrumentation Center (USIC) extends facilities for fabrication and maintenance of laboratory instruments of School of Studies and affiliated colleges. M.P. Council of Science & Technology, Bhopal has established a local cell (MPCOST) to coordinate and monitor various research projects and other scientific activities under the scheme.

The University central Library has a collection of over 1,40,000 books and about 8000 bound volumes of research journals. It also contains a section of unpublished theses. Presently more than 142 Indian and Foreign journals are being subscribed. The Library also contains Internet access, microfilm reader, 16-mm projector, and a number of films on various subjects. Beside Central library, each School of Studies has a library, well equipped with books and journals, useful for advanced study.

The physical education Department of the University takes care of the games and sports of the students. Dean, Students Welfare looks after the extra curricular activities of the University. This wing has developed advanced facilities for music, dance and drama and other performing arts with an auditorium well equipped for such events. The university has been hosting state and regional level Youth Festivals.

Dean of college development Council (DCDC) coordinates and monitors the academic activities of the affiliated college of the University. The Department of Adult and continuing Education of the University has established itself as leading centre in the region.

This is the first University in the state to implement the self supporting programmes. We started this activity as far back as 1987 by introducing the PG Diploma in Computer Applications. Subsequently, the university started job oriented courses in (i) Computer science, (ii) Chemicals, sales and marketing management, (iii) Instrumentation and commercial methods of Industrial analysis, (iv) Environmental Chemistry, (v) Microbiology, (vi) Molecular Biology and Immunology, (vii) Master in computer application,(viii) Bachelor in Physical Education, (x) Master of Physical Education, (xi) Refrigeration technology are being started very shortly, etc. We have introduced several others including M.Sc. Neuroscience, M.Sc. Information Technology, BA in Jyotirvigyan, M.Sc Food Technology, M.Sc Molecular and Human Genetics, M.ScMedical Plants and Herbal Resource Management, M.Sc Tech. (Industrial Maths with Computer Application), M.Sc Remote Sensing and GIS, M.Sc Bio-Physics etc.