Best Universities in India

Universities in India 2023: The Higher Education sector has witnessed a tremendous increase in its institutional capacity in the years since Independence. In India, government-recognised universities and colleges are supported by the University Grants Commission, a body of the central government. Higher Education is the shared responsibility of both the Centre and the States. 

The Central Government provides grants to UGC and establishes central universities in the country. The central government is also responsible for declaring educational institutions as “deemed-to-be university” on the recommendation of the UGC.

There are both private and public universities in India's higher education system. Private universities are mostly supported by various organisations and societies, whereas public universities are supported by the Government of India and state governments.

The No. 1 university in India is Indian Institute of Science in Karnataka. The higher education system in India includes both private and public universities. Here is the list of top universities in India with NIRF rankings.

Top Universities in India List: NIRF India Rankings

Type of universities

There are four types of universities in India

• Central University -  Established by an Act of Parliament and are under the purview of the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education. At present there are a total of 54 central universities in India.

• State Universities - Run by the state government of each of the states and territories of India and are usually established by a local legislative assembly act.

• Deemed University -  These universities are granted a status of autonomy granted by the Department of Higher Education on the advice of the UGC. 

• Private University - These universities are approved by the UGC. They can grant degrees but they are not allowed to have off-campus affiliated colleges.

List of Central Universities in India

+Granted Central University Status

*Established by Central Universities Act, 2009

^Directly funded by Ministry of Education, GoI and not through UGC

Admission process for the Top universities in India

The admission in the top universities in India takes place via various entrance exams. To appear for the following exams, the candidate must secure 50% marks in their Class 12th exams with concerned subjects being mandatory. The most popular university entrance exams in India are as follows: -

Common University Entrance Test (CUET 2023) - The Common University Entrance Test or CUET is an online entrance test that serves as a platform for admission to 44 central universities and other universities. For CUET admission to various undergraduate courses, the CUET UG entrance test scores will be used. CUET is conducted by NTA in computer-based mode.

Best Universities in India - Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the best universities in India are as follows:

• Candidates will need to have passed Class 12 from a recognised board in Science stream to be admitted to bachelor’s degree programmes in the central universities.

• For the General category, the candidate needs to secure a minimum of 50 percent in Class 12, for SC/ST, candidates need to have secured a minimum of 45 percent in Class 12 in order to be eligible for the CUET. For BTech programmes, the minimum aggregate for the General category candidates is 45 percent and that of the reserved category candidates is 40 percent.

Top 10 Best private universities in India 

Top Universities in India (North Zone)

Considering that India is a voluminous country, it makes sense to look for the best colleges in each zone for pursuing higher education. In order to help students find the right university in the north zone, we have compiled a list of the top universities based on a variety of factors. It is not necessary to get a job in the same field after completing these degrees. There is also the possibility of getting a job at other companies. When selecting a university, consider factors such as placement options, student-teacher ratio, infrastructure and equipment provided for study. 

Top Universities in India (South Zone)

South India is home to most of India's universities. In southern India, which is very similar to northern India, there is a great deal of passion for studying. Students from all over India travel to south India to take admission into the top engineering colleges in South India. For most aspirants, a reputed college is a primary educational goal. Considering alumni reviews to placements and faculty, universities in southern India offer the most premium opportunities. 

Top Universities in India (East Zone)

A potpourri of cultures and traditions can be found in the Eastern Zone of India. From intellectuals in West Bengal to mineral-rich states like Jharkhand, the land of the rising sun has much to offer. A number of excellent universities can be found in eastern India as well, just like in any other region of the country. It is no surprise that students from all over the country apply for admission in universities in East India, the land of maestros like Rabindranath Tagore and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. The following is a list of the top universities in India.

Top Universities in India (West Zone)

Several prominent universities are located in the West Zone, including some of the best in the country. Higher education in various specialisations is available in cities such as Mumbai, Surat, Pune, Jaipur etc. for students from all over the country. A major highlight of these universities is the excellent placement opportunities it offers to its students. 

Which are the most popular exams accepted by the best universities in India?

CUET, CUET PG, AP PGCET, CAT, ICAR AIEEA, IIT JAM, AJEE, JEE Main, etc. are the most popular exams accepted by the best universities in India.

Refer to the table for a detailed view:

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Which are the top 5 universities in India? 

 Answer: IISc Bangalore, JNU Delhi, JMI Delhi, Jadavpur University, Kolkata and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore. 

Question: What are some of the job profiles that can be pursued after completion of degrees from the top colleges in India? 

Answer: Design engineer, developer, professor and information technology officer, investment banker, etc. 

Question: Which university in India is the best for B.A in English Honours? 

Answer: JNU Delhi, Delhi University, JMI , Banaras Hindu University and Jamia Hamdard. 

• Which is the best private university in India? 

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, VIT Vellore, and Manipal academy are some of the best private universities in India. 

Question: Is clearing CUET mandatory for admission in central universities? 

Answer: Yes, it is mandatory for students to clear the CUET exam to get admission in the central university of India.

Question: What is the average course fee for B.Sc in JNU? 

Answer: The fee ranges from anywhere between 600 to 982 rupees for the entire course of B.Sc. 

Question: Which entrance exam needs to be cleared for a degree of Bachelors in Arts in the best universities in India?

Answer: CUET needs to be nailed by the candidates to pursue any degrees in the Bachelors in Arts.