The erstwhile University of Agricultural Sciences in Karnataka, established in 1964, had the operational jurisdiction of the entire State of Karnataka. This was bifurcated into two Agricultural Universities viz., University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad through an amendment of the Act in 1986.

The UAS, Bangalore has a territorial jurisdiction over 15 southern districts of Karnataka comprising of nearly 50 per cent of the total area of the State. The distinctive features of the University are (i) Responsibility for teaching, research and extension education in Agricultural Sciences in the 15 districts coming under its jurisdiction, (ii) Integration of Teaching, Research and Extension Education to bring about desired interaction for sustained development of Agriculture and allied sectors.