The University was established on 29th September 1981 by an Act called the Vidyasagar University Act 1981 (West Bengal Act XVIII of 1981) after the name of Pandit Iswar Chandra Bandyopadhyay , known as Vidyasagar , The educationist and social worker of Bengal .The University Grants Commission accorded recognition to the University under 12 B on March 1 ,1990. The total area of University Campuses in a semi –rural location is 182.75 acres (Main Campus 103.79, Residential Campus 35.00 and third plot measuring 43.97 acres). The University is an affiliating the having its jurisdiction which shall not be extended beyond the limit of Midnapore District or any District which may be created in future out of any part thereof. Thirty colleges of Calcutta university within the District of Midnapore were initially deemed to have been affiliated to Vidyasagar University .Now the total number raised to 39 including three engineering Colleges -one Haldia Institute of Technology at Haldia,one College of Engineering & Management at Kolaghat and one MCKV Institute of Engineering at Liluah. MSW Course of Vidyasagar school of Social work was given affiliation by the University . A number of Management Institutes (NSO) applied to the University seeking affiliation of various management Courses .The University in principle has also agreed to affiliate a Medical College which is going to be started soon at Midnapore town. The University Authority is also considering the proposal for introducing Postgraduate Courses at Undergraduate Colleges affiliated to the University.