There are three distinct phases in the evolution of the Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya: In the first phase (1983 to 2000), Guru Ghasidas University was established on 16th June 1983 and first examination was conducted during Mach/ April 1984, which was separated from Pd. Ravi Shankar Shukla University Raipur, (M.P.) as a state-funded University. In 1985, this University established own Teaching Departments in which Semester system examination was adopted in 1987. Distance Education Programe was launched in 1995 to educate the people living in far remote area; however, many education centers were spread also in urban area throughout the country for part time education for employed people.

The second phase (2001-2008) began with the establishment of Chhattisgarh State and reorganization of the University as a hub of education in newly established state C.G. providing affiliation of many colleges and conduction of examination of 165 colleges. It was pre-figured by the inspiring address of Dr Abdul Kalam, former President of India, during the Convocation (Jan. 2005) of the University, with a timeless invocation on the meaning and purpose of a University and the role the Universities have to play in ensuring the development and progress of India. In 2008, Surguja University, Ambikapur was established in which 40 Affiliated Colleges of four districts viz. Korea, Surguja, Jashpur and Surajpur were initially grouped and examination of all these colleges were then handed over in 2010. The University took determined steps to enlarge its intellectual and educational domain and gave a lead in state emancipation. Several politician, teachers and students played a prominent role in the up gradation of this university into Central University.

The third phase (from 2009) the University was upgraded in to a Central University as named Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, C.G. on 15 January 2009. The up gradation into Central University provided the opportunity to reaffirm the examination process towards student’s grievances and transparency regarding evaluation, revaluation and un-affair means etc. students concerned. It was felt very complex to maintain the aspiration of Central University with Distance Education and huge number of colleges of state university and finally it was decided to postponed the Distance Education Program since 2010 and separation of all colleges in to Bilaspur University Bilaspur since 2012.