The University was formally inaugurated on 20th March 1965 by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India. Another significant milestone was the inauguration of the building programme of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi,the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India on 23rd June 1966.
The University was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on 7th November 1996 in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayakulu Gogineni Ranga, who rendered remarkable selfless service for the cause of farmers and is regarded as an outstanding educationist, kisan leader and freedom fighter.
The importance of the application of Science and Technology for Agricultural development was realized as early as in the beginning of century. Among the several commissions appointed for suggesting steps to streamline agriculture development, the Royal Commission (1926) emphasized the need for a strong research base for agricultural development. Subsequently, the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Commission (1949) on University Education led to the establishment of Rural Universities for the overall development of agriculture and rural life in the country. Later, the Government of India constituted the First Joint Indo-American Team (1955) that studied the status and future needs of agricultural education in the country.
The report of this commission laid the foundation for all the subsequent developments with regard to agricultural education in India. However, for want of specific recommendations, the Government of India appointed the Second Joint Indo-American Team (1960) headed by Dr. M. S. Randhawa, the then Vice-President of Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The team submitted its report in 1960, which recommended specifically the establishment of Farm Universities and spelt out the basic objectives of these Universities as
Institutional Autonomy
Later, the report of the Second National Education Commission (1964 - `66), headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, Chairman of the University Grants Commission stressed the need for establishing at least one Agricultural University in each Indian State. As a result, the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established on June 12, 1964 at Hyderabad. Shri O. Pulla Reddi, I.C.S. (Retired) was the first Vice-Chancellor of the University.
In accordance with provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University Act, 1963, some of the Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Science were transferred from the Universities to which they had been affiliated to the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University during June, 1964. These are: Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Hyderabad (established in 1961, affiliated to Osmania University), Agricultural College, Bapatala (established in 1945, affiliated to Andhra University), Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupati (established in 1961, affiliatedto Sri Venkateswara University) and Andhra Veterinary College, Tiruapti (established in 1961, also affiliated to Sri Venkateswara University). In addition, 41 Agricultural Research Stations, functioning under the Department of Agriculture and four Research Stations of the animal Husbandry Department were transferred to the University in July, 1966 and May, 1967, respectively.
The University was formally inaugurated on March 20, 1965 by late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon'ble Prime Minister of India. Another significant milestone was the inauguration of the University's building programme by Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on June 23, 1966.
A life size bronze statue of Acharya N.G. Ranga was unveiled by His Excellency Dr. C. Ranagarajan, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh on 7th November, 1998 at the main campus of the University.
During the 40 years of its glorious service to the students and farming community, it has given birth to two other Universities namely S.V. Veterinary University and Dr. Y.S.R. Horticulture University in undivided State of Andhra Pradesh.
At the verge of completion of Golden Jubilee Year of the ANGRAU, it has given birth to a new State Agricultural University namely Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University with the bifurcation of the State of Andhra Pradesh as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014. Thereafter, the ANGRAU which was serving the students and the farmers of 23 districts of undivided State of Andhra Pradesh is now serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication.
Admission :- Selection of candidates for admission to Ph.D. courses shall be made by a Selection Committee constituted by the Vice-Chancellor. The candidates should appear for entrance test and interview at specified places at Bapatla, Guntur (District) at their own expenses.
QUALIFICATIONS: Master of Science or an equivalent examination in Agriculture or Home Science/ (or) Agricultural Engineering, as the case may be, in the concerned field of specialisation atleast with 50% marks in the aggregate under traditional system of examination or an OGPA of 3.25 or above in 4.00 point scale or OGPA of 7.50 or above in 10.00 point scale in grade point system. In the case of SC and ST candidates, a pass in the Degree of Master of Science in Agriculture or Home Science as the case may be under traditional system or OGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00 or 7.00 out of 10.00 under Grade Point system is sufficient. The Basic Degree i.e., B.Sc.(Ag.)/ B.Sc.(Home Science)/ B.H.Sc.(Rural) / B.Tech.(Ag. Engg. & Tech.) of 4 years duration
Course :- Candidates belonging to Andhra Pradesh are admitted to Master's degree programmes based on their performance in an Entrance Examination conducted separately for Agriculture, Home Science and their previous academic record. Based on their performance in the entrance examination, candidates are allotted to different disciplines within a faculty.
Twenty five percent (25%) of the seats in Mastersdegree courses are reserved for candidates belonging to other states. The selection of these candidates is based on the All India Entrance Examination conducted by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), New Delhi, Notification may be issued around March and examination conducted in May - June every year.
Post-Graduate courses leading to Masters Degree are offered in 15 disciplines in Agriculture and 4 in Home Science and 4 in Agricultural Engineering. Doctoral Degree programmes are available in
10 disciplines in Agriculture, 2 disciplines in Home Science and 3 in Agricultural Engineering.
In addition, inter-faculty Master degree programmes are being offered in MBA(Agribusiness Management), Consequent to the establishment of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University at Tirupati in 2005 the teaching, research and extension programmes pertaining to Veterinary Science, Dairying and Fishery Science have been transferred to the new University.
The intake for different PG / Ph.D. courses are as follows:
| Course | Intake |
| Ph. D. Agriculture - 10 Disciplines | 37 |
| Ph. D. Home Science - 2 Disciplines | 02 |
| Ph.D. (Agril. Engg. & Tech.) - 3 Disciplines | 04 |
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