Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University was started on 18th September, 1997 in Ramtek, Maharashtra, to pay tribute to the great Sanskrit poet Kalidasa and to encourage the great tradition of Sanskrit study in India. The idea of the university was a product of the work of such influential leaders as the former Prime Minister of India, P.V. Narasimha Rao, who was a great advocate of the Sanskrit language and Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Sudhakarraoji Naik. Dr Shrikant Jichkar also played a role in the formation of the university since he made the university research report and draft to form the university. Maharashtra was historically important in the scholarship of Sanskrit, which determined the decision to create KKSU. The university is named after Kalidasa, who is commonly known as the Kavikulaguru (the Guru of poets), because it is believed that many of his works were composed in Ramtek.

KKSU provides a wide variety of academic courses combining the traditional Sanskrit studies with modern education to make sure that the students are equally equipped to both academic and professional challenges. The university offers undergraduate (BA, B.Ed.), postgraduate (MA), and research degree programs (M.Phil., PhD). Along with classical Sanskrit courses, such as Veda, Vedanta, Vyakarana, Nyaya, and Sahitya, students take up contemporary courses such as Travel Tourism, Journalism, Yoga and Foreign Languages. The distinctive blend of ancient wisdom and modern subjects allows students to have a broad-based view of the world while at the same time keeping the heritage of the ancient Indian literature, including science, technology, and philosophy.

The university facilities located on the campus are aimed at aiding both the academic and extracurricular activities, rendering it a very dynamic learning and growth centre. The main campus is based in Ramtek, 50 km from Nagpur, and provides an excellent array of facilities, such as a well-equipped library, computer laboratories, and a cafeteria. The university also has separate hostel facilities for male and female students. The University Grants Commission (UGC) recognises KKSU in sections 12B and 2f, and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accredits KKSU with a B++ grade. The university is a prominent research center in India, developing a scholarly atmosphere both among the students and the researchers. Knowing about an International Study Centre in the Waranga campus, KKSU is going to gain more and more global presence and will be able to offer more opportunities to its diverse student body.