The Forest Research Institute University was established in 1878 as the Imperial Forest Research Institute. It was later renamed the Forest Research Institute and Colleges in 1906. In 1988, it became part of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. It was granted deemed university status in 1991 and became the Forest Research Institute University in 2007. The university conducts research and provides education in forestry and environmental fields, offering master's degrees, post-master's diplomas, and doctoral programs.