The University of North Bengal was established in the year 1962. At that time, it was the only University which affiliated all the colleges in the northern districts of West Bengal, including Jalpaiguri Engineering College and North Bengal Medical College. The colleges of the state of Sikkim were also affiliated to the University of north Bengal.

Gradually the number of affiliated colleges were reduced by the establishment of Sikkim Central University, bringing of all B.Ed colleges under a separate University of West Bengal and the same was done for all the engineering colleges which were brought under West Bengal University of Technology. Subsequently other affiliating universities came up in other districts of north Bengal, such as Gaur Banga University, Coochbehar Panchnan Barma University and Raiganj University affiliating the colleges which were under the University of North Bengal. While the University thus lost its distinctiveness as the largest University in the northern region of West Bengal.

However, the University of North Bengal retained its distinctives in one area, i.e., accommodating the ethnocultural and geospatial uniqueness of the region. The University has the highest number of ST students in the region drawn both from the hills and the plains reflecting wide ethno-cultural diversity. This diversity is encouraged and nurtured through one of a kind Museum, the A.K.M.H. Museum which had a humble beginning in 1965, and can now legitimately take pride in its substantial collection of stone and metal images, terracotta works, coins, manuscripts etc. Major portion of such collections belong to the period between 8th Century and 12th Century through even older pieces are also in the possession of the Museum. The Museum at present has emerged as one of the favored destinations of scholars, researchers and students. Scholars from different parts of India and some even from China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan and other countries now visit the Museum.

The other initiative of the University was to set up CENTRE FOR STUDIES IN LOCAL LANGUAGES CULTURES which has done a significant service to the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage of the region. The geospatial uniqueness is captures though the Department of Tea Science offering MSc in Tea Science with collaboration of Tea Board of India. Darjeeling is famous for Tea and this Department is the only one in India that is relevant to this region. The location of this university is in a region which shares borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, and China is not distant. Keeping this geostrategic aspect in attention the Center for Himalayan Studies undertakes research in the eastern Himalayan region and offers programs in Strategic Studies.