Maharshi Dayanand University, also called M.D. University or simply MDU, is a university in Rohtak, Haryana, India. Established in 1976 and named after the saint Dayananda Saraswati.

Maharshi Dayanand University, ab initio established as Rohtak University, Rohtak, came into existence by an Act No. 25 of 1975 of the Haryana Legislative Assembly in 1976. With the objective to promote inter-disciplinary higher education and research in the fields of environmental, ecological and life sciences. After the renowned visionary and social reformer Maharshi Dayanand, it was renamed Maharshi Dayanand University in 1977. It had a unitary and residential character in its nascent stage, but became an affiliating University in November 1978. The University secured the recognition of University Grants Commission – the higher education regulatory body of India - for central Govt. grants in 16 Mar, 1979.

While Kurukshetra University was the only state University at the time of Formation of the state of Haryana in 1966, with partial affiliation of state colleges with Panjab University. Later on deaffiliation of Haryana colleges from Panjab University and growing needs of higher education in Haryana. In Rohtak, near the site of the former regional campus of Punjab University, the new University of Rohtak was founded. Later, Maharishi Dayanand University was given the name. For the University's requirements, a large, lush, 700 acre main campus was built at Delhi Road.

A former satellite campus, the Indira Gandhi Post Graduate Regional Center in Rewari. In April 2013, it received independent university status (as Indira Gandhi University).