Pandit Sundarlal Sharma (Open) University (PSSOU) Chhattisgarh was established on 20 January 2005 under Chhattisgarh legislature. The former Vice Premier, Govt. of India and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Shri Lal Krishna Advani inaugurated the University.

The university has given the responsibility by the government to spread education through distance learning mode at different levels like certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate to people living in far flung areas of Chhattisgarh where regular education is not accessible and to educate the people who can not attend regular classes. To fulfill its responsibilities the university has opened regional centers in four different places namely Raipur, Bastar, Ambikapur, and Bilaspur. Further, hundreds of study center have been established to provide course instruction to needy students.