This university was established on 20th July 1968 as a state university of Madhya Pradesh. The University has been named after a distinguished son of the soil and a freedom fighter Capt. Awadhesh Pratap Singh, a national leader and the first Prime Minister of  Vindhya Pradesh. The university was recognized by the UGC in February 1972. The University is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and All Commonwealth Association of Universities (ACAU).