Directorate of Higher Education is a State office functioning under the governance of the Department of Higher and Technical Education, Govt. of Maharashtra. Prior to 31/10/1984 Education at all levels in the State was being managed by one Head of the Department called Directorate of Education (DoE).

There was enormous growth of educational Institutions, both at Primary/Secondary and Collegiate levels. With a view to streamlining the functioning of the monolithic Directorate of Education and making it function more effectively, the State Government have issued orders, bifurcating the department into the Directorate of School Education and Directorate of Higher Education in the year 1984 vide G.O. DEE 1083/156099/3801/ADM‐5, dated 31/10/1984.