Dayalbagh Educational Institute has been a pioneer institution in encouraging women and rural masses to participate in wider social activities by conducting various extension and welfare programmes. The programmes for removal of illiteracy among rural youth were initially started by D.E.I. Women’s Training College and D.E.I. Radhasoami Educational Institute in 1978. These programmes were combined by the Institute when DEI was conferred the status of a Deemed to be a University in 1981. The University Grants Commission approved establishment of the Centre of Adult, Continuing Education & Extension Programme in the Institute in 1983 under Point 16 of the 20 Point Programme of the Government of India. Mass Programme of Functional Literacy was initiated at the centre in 1986. According to the Guidelines of the UGC, a programme for ‘Area Development Approach’ was launched in 1989. Under this programme, community based continuing Education Centres for Vocational Training of Rural Masses and Jan Shikshan Nilayams for Neoliterates were started. All these centers were closed on 30th June, 1992 as per the UGC Guidelines. In the year 1992, the Centre started a Non- Formal Continuing Education Programme comprising of Vocational Training Courses for women and unemployed youth and Non- Formal School for the education of dropouts and children, on self- sustaining basis. The scheme of Total Literacy and Continuing Education was sanctioned by the UGC in November 1992, which continued up to March 1997. In the IX plan the scheme of Adult, Continuing Education, Extension & Field Outreach (ACEEFO) was sanctioned by the UGC. In 1998 the Centre at DEI was placed under Phase II.

Since 1983 to August 2005 these programmes were accomplished under the auspices of the Centre of Adult and Continuing Education and Extension Programme. On the basis of the past performance of the centre In the Year 2005, it had been decided by the Governing Body of the Institute to raise the status of the centre to the Department of Adult, Continuing Education, Extension and Field Outreach (ACEEFO) under the Faculty of Social Sciences.

From the session 2008-09 One year Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Education has been started with an initial intake of 20 students. In the year 2009 the department is renamed as ‘Department of Life Long Learning and Extension’ by the Governing Body of the Institute. Now, the department is organizing Life Long Learning Activities in accordance with the XI Plan Guidelines of the UGC. The Department aims at empowerment of the individuals and betterment of the living conditions of the masses. Activities are being organized by the department for achieving the following objective:

• To make available a comprehensive range of appropriate and effective opportunities for life long learning to the participants
• To raise opportunities for Self- employment and economic independence
• To generate awareness towards environmental protection & conservation, national integration, healthy living conditions, small family norms, gender equality, social evils and career consciousness,

Systematic and Scientific methodology is adopted for achieving the objectives. Surveys and Personal Contacts are made to find out the needs and requirements of the target population related to the thrust areas of the programme and to establish the strong rapport with the Community. Need based Field Outreach and Placement activities are organized for the students, youth and Community. Learning material is being developed keeping in mind the abilities and requirement of the learners. Extension activities such as Awareness Campaigns, Exhibitions, Discussions, Paricharchas, Lectures, Projects, Seminars, Teaching and Training programmes etc. are organized.
Organization of need based activities and programmes for students, youth and community leads to improve the living conditions, raise the social status, self reliance, economic independence and empowerment of the participants. The developed material leads to retention of learned skills and application of knowledge in day to day life. Continuing Education activities lead to generate healthy habits and acceptance of small family norms and gender equality among students and community. All these activities result in physical, mental, social, emotional and economic upliftmentment of the target group.