The Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University has been established as an Institution of National Importance (INI) under Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) by an Act of Parliament (Act No. 10 of 2014) and notified on 5th March, 2014. This Second Central Agricultural University in India established and named in the memory of great freedom fighter known as warrior queen of Jhansi Late Rani Lakshmi Bai who sacrificed her life at the altar of the freedom. The objectives of the university are to impart education in different branches of agriculture and allied sciences, undertake research in agriculture, programmes of extension education and promote linkages with national and international educational institutes. The University became functional with the joining of Dr. Arvind Kumar as first Vice-Chancellor on May 9, 2014. The University headquarter is at Jhansi located in Bundelkhand region covering six districts namely: Chhatarpur, Damoh, Datia, Panna, Sagar and Tikamgarh of Madhya Pradesh and seven districts namely: Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Lalitpur and Mahoba of Uttar Pradesh.

The university will establish different constituent colleges namely: College of Agriculture, College of Horticulture & Forestry at Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh and College of Veterinary & Animal sciences ,College of Fisheries in Madhya Pradesh. The B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture classes started at IGFRI Campus Jhansi, and the process has been initiated for establishment of other constituent colleges of University.

The mission of the University is to be a centre of excellence in teaching, research and extension education in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. The University aims to develop sustainable farming systems for improving productivity and profitability in agriculture and allied sectors and also train the farmers and extension functionaries for the effective dissemination of advanced agricultural technologies particularly in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states of county.

The University shall offer Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degree Programmes in agriculture and allied sciences. It will acts as an important link in the chain for converting agriculture and allied occupation into profitable enterprises and to offer food and nutritional security. To realize the above mission, University will establish special centres, specialized laboratories, libraries, museums and other units for research and institution.