The University Grants Commission, in its Policy statement for Higher Education recognized Extension as the third dimension equal in importance to Teaching and Research. The Centre for Adult, Continuing Education and Extension was established by UGC in H.P. University in the year 1979. The Centre catered to the needs of those who had been deprived of benefits of formal system of Education. Its Programmes facilitated linking of Higher Education with development process. It endeavours to reach the largest section of adult through University System. The Centre performed these function- Literacy and follow up Programmes, Extension and field outreach activities, continuing Education and vocational courses, Research, documentation and development of material, organization of seminars and workshops etc.

The Centre was elevated as a full-fledged Department in 2009 and renamed as Department of Lifelong Learning in 2011. The Department comes under the Faculty of Social Sciences. The Department is running Master of Arts in Rural Development since Academic session 2012-13. The Degree was started with the objective to prepare specialized personnel in the field of Rural Development who can play an active role in the development of rural areas. The objective of the course is to impart knowledge, develop skills and create attitude and behaviour patterns conducive for Rural Development.