Jai Prakash University was established on 22.11.1990 by the enactment of Section 3(b) of the Bihar State Universities Act, 1976, with its headquarters at Chapra, after carving it out from the then Bihar University (now B.R.A. Bihar University), Muzaffarpur. The territorial jurisdiction of the University is stretched over the whole of Saran Division, comprising three districts of Chapra, Siwan, and Gopalganj. The Colleges situated in these districts were automatically transferred to Jai Prakash University, Chapra. There are altogether 21 constituent Colleges, 24 affiliated Colleges, 15 B. Ed. Colleges, of which 2 are deficit Grant Colleges (including one minority college).  Earlier, all the above constituent Colleges, now under J..P.  University, Chapra, were under the territorial jurisdiction of the then Bihar University, Muzaffarpur. These Colleges had been established and were functional long before the birth of J. P. University. Rajendra College, Chapra, the oldest College (established in the year 1938) of this University, occupies a Special Status in the field of higher education. Bihar Govt. has decided to develop this college as Centre of Excellence and a Community College also. All the Constituent Colleges are registered with the U.G.C. under Section 2(f), included 12 (B) of the U.G.C. Act 1956, and are getting U.G.C. grants. Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, under a special package to the Bihar State, has selected seven colleges of this University for improvement of laboratory, etc. Each college will be given Rs. 50 lakhs for this purpose.

Jai Prakash University has functional dimensions to strengthen the development and management of educational infrastructure associated with Pure Science, Commerce, Social Science, and allied professional education in Bihar. The University promotes quality research and innovation in skilled techniques for mankind. There are four faculties and seventeen Post Graduate Departments of teaching and research, which have proved their excellence in imparting quality education in the field of Higher Education and providing opportunities to the Students in carrying out research works of international Standard, coping with the needs of the day. They primarily focus on post-graduate (masters) programmes and doctoral research. The University has also two study centres. these centres have taught programmes (Certificate / UG Vocational Courses). These are very often attached to one of the Department/Constituent Colleges and share Dept facilities, though some have independent buildings and infrastructure.

The University offers 23 UG Programmes, 17 PG courses, 17 Ph.D. Programmes, 11 Vocational UG Programmes (B.B.A/B.C.A/B.M.C. etc.), and 11 Certificate Programmes.

Jai Prakash University has achieved a notable milestone by being selected as one of the pioneering Grants to Strengthen University (GSU) within the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This selection, facilitated by the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) project, signifies a crucial milestone in the university's pursuit of academic excellence and innovation. Jai Prakash University received a significant grant of Rs 20 crores from the government under the GSU project. This financing seeks to enhance the university's infrastructure, research facilities, and academic programs, promoting an atmosphere favorable to interdisciplinary learning and creativity.

The J.P. University has achieved its success in translating its primary goal and providing quality education to the Students of this backward region of Bihar into a practical reality. Now the Students of this region, who were unable to go to other Universities inside or outside the State and were compelled to discontinue their higher Studies due to financial constraints, are finding themselves in a position to attain higher education & showing their worth, that in no way they are lagging behind the students of other regions.

As reported in several economic surveys conducted by the Government agencies, as well as Several Academic Bodies and NGOs, the population of Saran Division comprises a large number of families whose economic Status touches the Poverty level. The University is striving hard to do away with the disparity between the poor and rich families, not only by opening colleges in most backward & interior areas, but also by encouraging these colleges to introduce job-oriented vocational courses with the sole aim of bridging the gap between education and the financial status of the population of this region.

The students of underprivileged communities are encouraged to achieve education under the Distance Education Programmes of this University, which is just like bringing higher education to their doorstep.

The 242 acres of land on the eastern side of Chapra town for developing the campus of the University have been acquired. The campus is being developed according to the Master Plan prepared by internationally acclaimed town planners. The University campus has two hostels for women, which can accommodate more than 200 students. The University is also having student services and welfare centres in the campus like Banking facilities, training and placement centre, and a sports complex, including an Indoor Games Hall.

J. P. University, Chapra, was recognized by the UGC, but its constituent colleges were already recognized prior to the recognition of the University. Naturally, the University got allocation of UGC grants under the X Plan period to the tune of Rs. 80.50 lakh as a development grant and Rs. 10.00 lakh as an unassigned grant.

Under the XI Plan, the University was allocated Rs. 5.00 crore as a General Development Grant and Rs. 3.0125 crore as a grant earmarked for the Merged Scheme. Under GDG, 2.5 crore has been spent on the construction of the Science Block and Rs. 1.5 crore has been spent on the Social Science & Language – Humanities Block. Rs. 1 crore of GDG allocated, the University has utilized for the purchase of books, journals, and equipment.

Further support of the state Govt. as well of the other funding agencies will give momentum to the pace of multi-dimensional development of the University and a new era will start for the students of this backward area in general & for the poor & underprivileged students in particular and they will have all opportunities to have a leap in the pursuit of higher education.