The year 1916 marked the beginning of a new era in the history of women's higher education in India. In that year, Dr. Dhondo Keshav Karve started, with  just four students, the Indian Women's University at Hingne, near Poona. In a society governed by age-old  customs  and  outdated attitudes towards women, an institution of this type was bound to  face social and economic difficulties. Fortunately, in 1920 Sir Vithaldas Thackersey, impressed by the pioneering work of Dr. Karve, made a contribution of Rs. 15 Iakhs to this institution  to  commemorate the memory of his mother. Thereafter, the University came to be known as Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Indian Women's  University.

The headquarters of the University were shifted to Bombay in 1936. The University continued to grow providing higher education to more and more women. In 1951, the University received statutory recognition and since then its progress has been accelerated. Today, with faculties of Arts, Social Science, Fine Arts, Home Science, Education, Nursing and Library Science, the University has become a unique centre of higher education not only in our country but in the world. It has now 22 affiliated and conducted colleges, 3 campuses, more than 20,000 students and 600 faculty members.

While taking these strides, the University has maintained its experimental focus by providing instruction in mother-tongue, by permitting and encouraging external students and by providing professional and job-oriented courses to meet the needs of women in the fast-changing world. The University has started a Polytechnic  at Juhu in July, 1976, with 2 branches, viz., Medical Technology and Commercial and Secretarial Practices.

The University's awareness of and response to the needs of the times is also reflected in two other areas, viz., establishment of the Department of Continuing Education and starting  of  Research  Unit on Women's Studies. The University will soon be adding the faculties of  Pure Science, Social Work  and  Commerce  to its other faculties and will be focussing attention on  interdisciplinary inter-depart­ mental programmes  drawing  resources from its various departments. In retrospect, the University  can be said to have played a significant role in spreading the light of knowledge among women  and  taking  up at various stages newer areas for providing greater access to women for higher education.

The Posts and Telegraphs Department feels privileged to bring out a special postage stamp to mark the Diamond Jubilee of this pioneer institution.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India