1949

The University Education Commission, under the Chairmanship of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, strongly urged the need for great advancement of Rural Higher Education through a system of rural colleges and universities.

1956

Shri K.L. Shrimali Commission submitted its report on “Rural Institutes: Report of Committee on Higher Education” which led to - a) Establishment of 14 rural institutes of higher education, and b) Setting up of a national council for rural higher education.

1967

The G. Ramachandran's Committee on Rural Higher Education was constituted to look into the unsatisfactory working of the rural institutes for higher education, which submitted its observations on, and recommendations for improvement of, these institutes.

1970

The National Council of Rural Higher Education recommended that rural institutes may seek affiliation to the neighbouring universities.

1975

It was decided not to reconstitute the National Council of Rural Higher Education.

1986

Ministry of HRD once again revived the concept of rural higher education and brought it into its National Policy on Education, (NPE 1986).

18.04.88

Planning Commission submitted its comments on the proposed establishment of Central Council of Rural Institutes (CCRI) by MHRD.

20.05.88

Department of Rural Development submitted its comments on the above proposal.

25.11.88

An agenda note was circulated by the Department of Education, Ministry of HRD for an inter-ministerial meeting on the above subject.

3.11.88

Inter-ministerial meeting cleared the proposal for the establishment of CCRI.

1992

POA of NPE reiterated to establish rural universities and CCRI.

6.10.93

A memorandum was placed by the Department of Education, Ministry of HRD before the Expenditure Finance Committee.

25.1.94

Indian Council of Agriculture Research supported the proposal for establishment of Rural Institutes and a Central Council.

15.02.95

A proposal was submitted by the Department of Education, Ministry of HRD for establishment of a Central Council of Rural Institutes (presently NCRI).

23.5.95

Standing Finance Committee also cleared the proposal for establishment of CCRI.

19.10.95

National Council of Rural Institutes (NCRI) came into existence as an autonomous organisation of MHRD, Govt. of India.