Established for Social Empowerment
“Vasantrao Naik Mahavidyalaya (Autonomous) was established by the Vasantrao Naik Shikshan Prasarak Mandal in 1972. The institution was founded with the vision of honourable Principal Rajaram Rathod Sir, who aimed to create opportunities for the advancement of socially and economically underprivileged students. Coming from a similar background himself, Principal Rathod deeply understood the hardships faced by such communities and dedicated his efforts toward providing them with access to quality education.”
Influenced by great visionaries such as Jyotirao Phule and B. R. Ambedkar, he aspired to establish an institution dedicated to the education and empowerment of underprivileged communities and women in Central Maharashtra. With this vision, he chose Aurangabad as the location and founded an Arts and Commerce College in the name of Vasantrao Naik, who has remained a lasting source of inspiration for all of us
The institution began its journey during a period of severe drought, when circumstances were far from favorable. However, the urgent need for such an institution justified its establishment. We remain indebted to Late Shri Uttamrao Rathod, former Member of Parliament, and Late Shri Sudhakarrao Naik, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, for their constant guidance and support in helping the institution progress steadily and with a secular outlook.
The Vasantrao Naik Shikshan Prasarak Mandal could not have undertaken this enormous responsibility without the dedicated efforts of a committed team of teachers who combined academic merit with deep social responsibility. A majority of the students belonged to economically weaker sections of society, especially from Scheduled Castes and denotified tribes such as Banjaras, Pardhis, Tadwis, Rajput Bhamtas, and others. Many of them were enrolled under the “Earn and Learn” scheme, as they had very limited financial resources to afford educational facilities.
The faculty members devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the students’ welfare. They stayed in the college throughout the day and visited the hostels in the evenings not only to supervise studies but also to guide students in health, hygiene, and discipline. Many students spoke mother tongues that had no written script, so special efforts were made to improve their language and communication skills. Lectures by eminent personalities were organized regularly to help students become part of the national mainstream and to instill constitutional values such as liberty, equality, secularism, and civic responsibility.
At that time, the college was located on the outskirts of the city in an area commonly referred to as a “Tanda” (tribal settlement) by local residents. Nevertheless, the institution’s vision and commitment gradually yielded remarkable results, transforming it into a respected and prosperous center of learning.
Following the initial phase of establishment and consolidation, the institution entered a new phase focused on diversification and quality enhancement. With the rapid growth of residential and industrial development around the college, the need for Science education became evident. As a result, the Science faculty was introduced in 1990, followed by Management Science in 1999, and later Computer Science to meet the aspirations of modern students. Over the years, the composition of the student community has evolved significantly, with a growing number of girl students enrolling in the institution.
While maintaining its strong social commitment, the college is now actively engaged in quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives. We are proud that Vasantrao Naik Mahavidyalaya has successfully completed more than three decades of dedicated service, shaping the future of thousands of students from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds and contributing significantly to the educational development of Maharashtra.
Established in 1972, the college is managed by a private public society registered under the societies Registration Act, 1860. The institution is permanently affiliated with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University and is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council with a B+ grade.