Aneena Aley AbrahamSenior Executive
Top Universities in India 2024: Ranking, Admission, Fees, Placements, Cut Off
There are about 90+ top universities in India. Among the top universities, about 50+ universities are owned by the government and 30+ universities are privately owned. Some of the top universities in India are the Indian Institute of Science, JNU, JMI, Jadavpur University, BHU, and many more. CUET, ICAR AIEEA, CUET PG, IIT JAM, KCET, AP PGCET, CCMN and CPGET are the best entrance exams for top Universities in India.
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Table of Contents
- Top Universities in India: Highlights 2024
- Top Universities in India: Admissions 2024
- Popular Exams Accepted by Top Universities in India
- Top Universities in India: QS World University Ranking 2025
- Top Universities in India: NIRF Ranking 2024
- Best Government Universities in India
- Best Private Universities in India
- State-wise Top Universities in India
- HIghest Salary offered by Top Universities in India
- Top Recruiters for Best Universities in India
- Cost of Studying at Top Universities in India
- Top Universities in India: Comparison 2024
Top Universities in India: Highlights 2024
India has a thriving and diverse higher education scene, and many of its universities are frequently ranked among the best in the world. Here is a brief overview of some of the best colleges in India, along with information on their specialities and benefits:
| Particulars |
Parameters |
|---|---|
| No. of Colleges |
90 Colleges |
| Annual Fees |
INR < 1 lakh: 30+ colleges INR 1-2 lakh: 10+ colleges INR 2-3 lakh: 6 colleges INR 3-5 lakh: 10+ colleges INR > 5 lakh: 10+ colleges |
| Top Specialisations |
Agriculture, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, etc. |
| Accepted Entrance Exams |
CUET, ICAR AIEEA, CUET PG, IIT JAM, KCET, AP PGCET, CCMN, etc. |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Top Universities in India: Admissions 2024
The eligibility criteria for the top 20 university in India are as follows:
- Students must pass 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 to be eligible for the CUET 2022. For BTech programmes, the minimum aggregate for the General category candidates is 45 percent and that of the reserved category candidates is 40 percent.
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.
Popular Exams Accepted by Top Universities in India
For admission to the best universities in India, candidates must qualify for some of the popular exams accepted by best University in India:
- CUET: CUET stands for Central University Entrance Test. It is an all-India level entrance exam conducted by NTA for admission to UG courses offered in all the participating institutions. The exam is conducted in a computer-based mode for two hours. Originally CUCET was conducted by UGC in paper-pencil-based mode.
- ICAR AIEEA: Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Examination for Admission is a national level entrance exam conducted by NTA for admission to Bachelor Degree programmes in Agriculture and Allied Sciences (other than Veterinary Sciences), at Agricultural Universities on 15/20 percent of the University seats [100 percent seats in RLBCAU Jhansi, NDRI Karnal, IARI New Delhi and its Hubs (Karnal-IIWBR, Patna-RCER, Umiam-RCNEH, Kolkata-CRIJAF, Cuttack-NRRI, Ranchi-IIAB, Hyderabad-IIRR, Nagpur - CICR, Bhopal-CIAE, Baramati-NIASM, Lucknow-IISR, Jharkhand-IARI, Assam-IARI, Raipur NIBSM) and Dr. RPCAU Pusa, Bihar].
- CUET-PG: Central University Entrance Test (Postgraduate), also known as CUET PG, is a national entrance exam being launched for admission to PG programmes at Central and participating universities. Candidates from all over the nation, particularly those from the North East and other rural and isolated areas, will have a shared platform and equal possibilities thanks to the shared University Entrance Test (CUET), which will also improve connections with universities.
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of exams for top university in India:
| Exam Name | Exam Schedule |
|---|---|
| CUET | CUET Schedule |
| ICAR AIEEA | ICAR AIEEA Schedule |
| CUET PG | CUET PG Schedule |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website of the institute/exam.
Which are the entrance exams accepted by Top Universities in India?
The most popular exams accepted by the top colleges in India are CUET, CUET PG, AP PGCET, SAT India, CAT, ICAR AIEEA, IIT JAM, AJEE, etc. Refer to the table for a detailed view:
Top Universities in India: QS World University Ranking 2025
Listed below are the top universities in India according to QS World University Ranking 2025:
| College Name | QS World University Rankings |
|---|---|
| IIT Delhi Ranking | 44 |
| IIT Madras Ranking | 56 |
| IIT Kharagpur Ranking | 60 |
| Indian Institute of Science Ranking | 62 |
| IIT Guwahati Ranking | 104 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website of the ranking body listed and may vary.
Top Universities in India: NIRF Ranking 2024
National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranks colleges every year. The ranking is based on various parameters and rankings change year on year depending on college universities and performances.
Following are the top 10 Universities in India ranked by NIRF for the past three years:
| Universities Name |
NIRF 2022 |
NIRF 2023 |
NIRF 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
1 | 1 | |
| 2 |
2 | 2 | |
| 3 |
3 | 3 | |
| 7 |
6 | 4 | |
| 6 |
5 | 5 | |
| 13 |
11 | 6 | |
| 5 |
7 | 7 | |
| Aligarh Muslim University Ranking | 11 | 9 | 8 |
| 4 |
4 | 9 | |
| 9 |
8 | 10 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website of the ranking body listed and may vary.
Best Government Top Universities in India
Here is the list of government top 10 university in India along with their total tuition fee:
| Public Universities |
Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| INR 48,000 |
|
| INR 432 |
|
| INR 24,000 |
|
| INR 35,464 |
|
| INR 37,250 |
|
| INR 11,010 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website/ counselling body and may vary.
Best Private Top Universities in India
Here is the list of top private best India University along with their total tuition fee:
| Private Universities |
Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| INR 2.92 lakh |
|
| INR 2.40 lakh |
|
| INR 3.75 lakh |
|
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Admission |
INR 5 lakh |
| INR 7.20 lakh |
|
| KIIT Admission | INR 5.95 lakh |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website/ counselling body and may vary.
State-wise Top Universities in India
Among the best college in India, Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of top Universities. Refer to the table for a detailed overview of the state-wise distribution of India top University:
| States |
Number of Universities |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu |
20+ |
| Delhi NCR |
10 |
| Karnataka |
9 |
| Maharashtra |
8 |
| Uttar Pradesh |
8 |
| Andhra Pradesh |
5 |
ROI describes the benefit a student will reap in the form of placement amount after paying for the course they have perused. In education, the ROI means the placement package received at the end of the course. Below is the list of best PG University in India along with their total tuition fee and annual average package:
| Universities Name |
Total Tuition Fee |
Annual Average Package |
|---|---|---|
| INR 432 |
INR 9.50 LPA |
|
| JMI | INR 24,000 |
INR 4.80 LPA |
| INR 2.92 lakh |
INR 11.68 LPA |
|
| INR 11,010 |
INR 5 LPA |
|
| INR 3.35 lakh |
INR 4.70 LPA |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website/ media reports/ NIRF website and may vary.
Top Recruiters for Best Universities in India
Below is the list of Top Recruiters for top 50 universities in India along with their average placement package and a few top companies that recruit graduates.
| Universities Name |
Average Placement Package |
Top Recruiters |
|---|---|---|
| INR 11.68 LPA |
Astra ZenecaLtd, Biocon, Thermo Fisher Scientific |
|
| INR 9.20 LPA |
TCS, Cognizant, private banks, Wipro, MNCs, and many more. |
|
| INR 4.80 LPA |
DMRC, Big Oh Tech, TCS, Xenon Stack, Infosys, etc. |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website/ media reports/ NIRF website and may vary.
Cost of Studying at Top Universities in India
To know more about the top universities in India that accept CUET : Click Here
Top Universities in India: Comparison 2024
To check the comparison between the good University in India, click the link below:
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Jamia Millia Islamia
Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Banaras Hindu University
Delhi University (DU)
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore
Aligarh Muslim University
VIT Vellore
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Poonamallee
School of Science and Humanities, SRM IST, Chennai
Anna University
SOA University - Siksha 'O' Anusandhan
KIIT - Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology
UoH - University of Hyderabad
Calcutta University
BITS Pilani - Birla Institute of Technology and Science
Chandigarh University (CU)
Kerala University
KL (Deemed to be University)
UNIPUNE - Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU)
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research
Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
LPU - Lovely Professional University
Srinivasa Ramanujan Center, SASTRA
Thapar University
Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education
Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International, Pune
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai
MGU Kerala - Mahatma Gandhi University
Panjab University
University of Madras
Guwahati University - GU
Jamia Hamdard
Top Universities in India 2024 FAQs
Q. How many Universities are there in India?
A.There are about 170+ top universities in India. Among the top universities, about 106 of the universities are publicly owned, 65 of the universities are owned by private entities and 1 is owned by semi government institutions.. Universities in India are supported by the University Grants Commission which is a body of the central government that provides support to government-recognised Universities and colleges with funds.
Q. Which is the No.1 University in India?
A. IISc is the top University according to NIRF 2024. Moreover, the university is an affiliate of All Indian Universities (AIU) and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). It has also been accredited NAAC ‘A’ grade by UGC.
Q. What is the fee for studying at Top Universities in India?
A: You can refer to the table below for the best Universities in India in different fee ranges:
| Fee Range | No. of Colleges | Popular Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| < INR 1 lakh | 61 | IIS, JNU, JMI, etc. |
| INR 1-2 lakh | 28 | Thapar University, Institute of Chmical Technology Mumbai, SASTRA, etc. |
| INR 2-3 lakh | 13 | Manipal School of Life Sciences, SRMIST, UPES, etc. |
| INR 3-5 lakh | 21 | Amrita Centre for Nanoscience and Molecular Medicine, VIT Vellore, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, etc. |
| > INR 5 lakh | 18 | SIMTS, SOA University, KIIT, etc. |
Q. What are the different specialisations offered by Top Universities in India?
A. The top universities in India offers many specialisations are:
|
Specialisations |
Number of Universities |
|---|---|
|
Biotechnology |
23 |
|
Agriculture |
33 |
|
Chemistry |
19 |
|
Mathematics |
15 |
|
Physics |
13 |
Q. Which cities have the maximum number of Top Universities in India?
A. Among the top Universities in India, Delhi/NCR has the maximum number of top Universities in India, followed by Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, etc. Listed below are the state wise number of colleges:
|
States |
Number of Universities |
|---|---|
|
Tamil Nadu |
28 |
|
Karnataka |
17 |
|
Maharashtra |
13 |
|
Uttar Pradesh |
10 |
|
Andhra Pradesh |
10 |
Q: Who are the top recruiters for top universities in India?
A: Listed below are the top recruiters participated during placements are mentioned below:
| Wipro | Infosys |
| Mahindra | TCS |
| Cognizant | SBI Bank |
| ICICI Bank | Big Oh Tech |
| Astra ZenecaLtd | Thermo Fisher Scientific |
| Xenon Stack | DHL |
Q: Which are the top 5 Universities in India according to NIRF 2024?
A: Following are the top Universities in India ranked by NIRF for the past three years:
|
Universities Name |
NIRF 2022 |
NIRF 2023 |
NIRF 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
1 | 1 | |
|
2 |
2 | 2 | |
|
3 |
3 | 3 | |
|
7 |
6 | 4 | |
|
6 |
5 | 5 |
Q: Which is India's top 1 private university?
A:Manipal School of Life Sciences is ranked 6 by NIRF and is the top private University in India, Manipal School of Life Sciences is a constituent unit of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education and was established in 2002. The college is recognised by UGC. School of Life Sciences Manipal is identified as the TIFAC-CORE under the 2020 vision in the area of Pharmacogenomics. It is supported by the Government of India agencies such as ICMR, BRNS, DBT, DST, and VGST. The college, through eight departments, offers UG, PG, certificate, and short-term courses to students across Biotechnology, Engineering, and several other streams.
Q. How do I find Universities in India that are best for me?
A. It would take some reflection and research to choose the top universities in India for you. Here is a detailed guide to assist you in navigating the procedure:
- Which academic pursuits are you interested in? Which particular scientific fields pique your interest? Which do you prefer: applied science, research, or a mix of both?
- What are your aspirations for your career? Do you want to continue your studies, do research, work in a field, or consider starting your own business? Knowing your long-term goals aids in focusing on the most pertinent solutions.
- In what kind of setting do you learn best? Which do you prefer: smaller, more research-focused universities, or big, bustling campuses with a wide range of activities? Think on your learning style and personality.
- What budgetary concerns do you have? Universities that are private or public may charge quite different fees. Regarding your spending and scholarship chances, be practical.
- Make use of directories and rankings: Websites such as Times Higher Education, QS World University Rankings, and NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) can offer insightful information about university rankings and strengths in a range of subject areas.
- Examine the brochures and websites of colleges: Investigate the particular courses that colleges are offering that suit your interests. Examine the curriculum, faculty biographies, research facilities, and resources for career assistance.
- Make contact with recent graduates and students: Make contact with alumni from the colleges you are considering. Their views and experiences might provide insightful viewpoints.
- Location: Which environment do you prefer, urban or rural? Think about how close possible internships, research opportunities, and employment chances are to your subject of interest.
- Programmes offering electives or specialisations in subjects that especially interest you should be sought out. This might assist in adjusting your education to your unique objectives.
- Locate colleges with faculty members whose areas of expertise and research interests coincide with your own. By doing this, you may have a better chance of finding research opportunities and mentorship.
- Career assistance and placements: Verify the university's history of putting graduates in appropriate fields. Good career assistance services can point you in the direction of jobs, internships, and professional growth.
Note that the "best" university is a relative term that depends on your personal goals and needs. To choose which option is best for you, take your time, carefully consider your options, and follow your gut feeling.
Q. What are the most modern and advanced Universities in India?
A. The list of India's "most modern and advanced" institutions can vary widely and be influenced by specialisation. Nonetheless, the following colleges are well known for their modern resources, creative methods, and research output:
- IISc Bangalore
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
- IIT
- IIIT
- Ashoka University
Note that numerous other Indian universities are continuously pushing the limits of knowledge and technology; these are just a few instances. The "most modern and advanced" university ultimately comes down to your personal goals and needs. Selecting the university that best fits your learning and career goals will be made easier if you do your homework and have a clear idea of your academic objectives.
Q. Which central university is best in India?
A. Given below are the best central universities in India:
| University Name | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| IISc | INR 48,000 |
| JNU | INR 432 |
| JMI | INR 24,000 |
| BHU | INR 35,464 |
| UoH | INR 37,250 |
Q. Why is it too hard to get into top prestigious colleges in India?
A. It is true that gaining admission to India's most esteemed universities may be extremely difficult. Given below are some of the reasons:
Higher Number of Applicants
Difficult Entrance Exams
Reservation System
Emphasis on Rote Learning
But it's crucial to keep in mind that, despite the difficulties along the way, they are not impossible. Many committed students succeed in overcoming these challenges and obtaining their dream of enrolling in highly esteemed universities.
Q: What are the top universities in India according to NIRF 2024?
A: Hi, you can refer below for the top universities in India according to NIRF for the year 2024 under the Universities category:
|
Universities Name |
NIRF 2022 |
NIRF 2023 |
NIRF 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
1 | 1 | |
|
2 |
2 | 2 | |
|
3 |
3 | 3 | |
|
7 |
6 | 4 | |
|
6 |
5 | 5 | |
|
13 |
11 | 6 | |
|
5 |
7 | 7 | |
| Aligarh Muslim University Ranking | 11 | 9 | 8 |
|
4 |
4 | 9 | |
|
9 |
8 | 10 |