Introduction
The Institute was established by Govt. of
India as National College of Physical Education in
17th
August 1957, the
centenary year of the War of Independence, and located
at Gwalior, where Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, a valiant
heroine of the war, had laid her life. The Institute
was named after her as a tribute to her role in
the glorious freedom struggle. The main purpose of establishing
this institute was to up - grade the status of
physical education by offering degree and post-graduate
course for the first time in the country. Bachelor's
degree programme was started in 1957 and a two year
Master's Degree course was introduced in 1963. In 1980
it became the first institution in India to offer one
year degree programme of Master of Philosophy in
Physical Education.
The
Institute started as an affiliated college of the
Vikram University, Ujjain and then came to the fold of
Jiwaji University, Gwalior in 1964. In recognition of its
unique status and character and to facilitate its
further growth, the college was conferred the status of
an Autonomous College of Jiwaji University, Gwalior in
1982.
In further recognition of the educational services rendered by
the Institute in the field of Physical Education,
sports and research it was decided by the Govt.
of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development under UGC Act to give
it the status of Deemed to be a university w.e.f.
September 1995. The Institute is the only Deemed to be a
University in the field of Physical Education in the
country.
The duration of
the Bachelor’s Degree course, known as B.P.E. ( Bachelor
of Physical Education) was initially for 3 years. To
bring in line with the directives of NCTE and also
similarity with some other Professional Degree Courses,
the duration of the course has been extended from 3
years to 4 years with effect from the ensuing Academic
Session i.e. 2003-2004 onward. | 
