The Himachal Pradesh University Centre for Evening Studies, Shimla 171001, was established in July 1962 as Panjab University Evening College, on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission to provide the facility of continuing education to the less privileged persons, especially those who have to go in for employment after schooling. It became a constituent of Himachal Pradesh University on 22nd July 1970, and in 1976-77 moved to its present independent campus—the historical 'Kirk' (Gandhi Bhawan) and 'Manse' buildings situated between the General Post Office and the Central Telegraph Office. It was re-named Himachal Pradesh University Centre for Evening Studies in July 2001. B.Com. was introduced here in 1975, M.A. in English & Hindi in 1979, M.A. in Economics in 1990, and M.Com. in 2001.
Admission here is open to all women and genuinely employed male candidates who submit satisfactory evidence of being employed; however, unemployed male candidates are also considered for admission in all classes, preference being given to the underprivileged. For admission in M.Com., merit is the only consideration.
The Centre has a well-equipped open-stack library with about twenty-seven thousand books, computers with Internet for students, and membership of the INFLIBNET for staff and students. There is also a computer lab with Internet connectivity. This institution is included in Sections 2(f) & 12(B) of the UGC and is financed by the University (mainly with the help of grants received from the State Government); it also receives development grants from the UGC for library, equipment, Remedial Coaching for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, etc.