Best 15 Universities in India 2024

India is home to some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education. In this article, we will explore the top 15 universities in India, delving into their latest information, courses offered, notable alumni, and unique facts that set them apart. This comprehensive guide will be valuable for students, educators, and anyone interested in the academic landscape of India.

1. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore

Overview

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore is India’s premier research university, renowned for its contributions to science and engineering.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Science (Research)
• Master of Technology (M.Tech)
• Master of Design (M.Des)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• C.N.R. Rao, renowned chemist
• Satish Dhawan, aerospace engineer and former ISRO chairman

Unique Fact

IISc was established in 1909 with a significant donation from Jamsetji Tata and support from the Maharaja of Mysore. It has since become a leading center for advanced scientific research and innovation.

2. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay

Overview

IIT Bombay is one of the most prestigious engineering institutions in India, known for its strong emphasis on technological education and research.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)
• Master of Technology (M.Tech)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys
• Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc. and Google

Unique Fact

IIT Bombay’s annual cultural festival, Mood Indigo, is Asia’s largest college cultural festival, attracting thousands of students from across the globe.

3. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi

Overview

IIT Delhi is a global leader in engineering education and research, consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)
• Master of Technology (M.Tech)
• Master of Science (M.Sc)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems
• Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India

Unique Fact

IIT Delhi has a unique program called “Amar Nath and Shashi Khosla School of Information Technology,” which focuses on interdisciplinary research in IT.

4. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi

Overview

JNU is renowned for its emphasis on social sciences, arts, and humanities, along with its vibrant campus life and political activism.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Foreign Languages
• Master of Arts (MA) in various disciplines
• Master of Science (M.Sc)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister of India
• S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India

Unique Fact

JNU’s School of International Studies is highly regarded for its focus on area studies and international relations, making it a preferred choice for aspiring diplomats.

5. University of Delhi

Overview

The University of Delhi is one of India’s largest and most prestigious universities, known for its diverse academic programs and vibrant student life.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)
• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Master’s and PhD Programs in various disciplines

Notable Alumni

• Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood actor
• Sheila Dikshit, former Chief Minister of Delhi

Unique Fact

Delhi University has a highly active alumni network called “DU Alumni Association,” which plays a significant role in mentoring and networking for students and graduates.

6. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras

Overview

IIT Madras is a leading institution for engineering and technology education, known for its cutting-edge research and innovation.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)
• Master of Technology (M.Tech)
• Master of Science (M.Sc)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys
• Arvind Subramanian, former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India

Unique Fact

IIT Madras has a dedicated research park, the first of its kind in India, fostering industry-academia collaboration and entrepreneurship.

7. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

Overview

BHU is one of the largest residential universities in Asia, offering a wide range of academic programs and known for its cultural heritage.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)
• Master of Technology (M.Tech)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Lal Bahadur Shastri, former Prime Minister of India
• Raj Narain, prominent Indian politician

Unique Fact

BHU’s Institute of Medical Sciences is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in India, known for its extensive research and healthcare services.

8. University of Calcutta, Kolkata

Overview

The University of Calcutta is one of the oldest universities in India, with a rich history of academic excellence and notable alumni.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Laureate in Literature
• Satyajit Ray, acclaimed filmmaker

Unique Fact

The University of Calcutta was the first university in India to introduce the system of postgraduate teaching and research.

9. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur

Overview

IIT Kanpur is a leading institution in engineering and technology, known for its rigorous academic programs and research initiatives.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)
• Master of Technology (M.Tech)
• Master of Science (M.Sc)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys
• Manindra Agrawal, mathematician and computer scientist

Unique Fact

IIT Kanpur has a unique outreach program called “NPTEL,” which offers online courses and certification for students and professionals across India.

10. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur

Overview

IIT Kharagpur is the oldest IIT in India, known for its diverse academic programs and strong emphasis on research and innovation.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)
• Master of Technology (M.Tech)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Arjun Malhotra, co-founder of HCL Technologies
• Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc. and Google

Unique Fact

IIT Kharagpur’s campus is one of the largest in India, spanning over 2,100 acres, and houses the Nehru Museum of Science and Technology.

11. University of Hyderabad

Overview

The University of Hyderabad is a major center for postgraduate teaching and research, known for its interdisciplinary approach to education.

Courses Offered

• Master of Science (M.Sc)
• Master of Technology (M.Tech)
• Master of Arts (MA)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe Systems
• Duvvuri Subbarao, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India

Unique Fact

The University of Hyderabad is one of the few universities in India to offer a five-year integrated master’s program in various disciplines, promoting an in-depth understanding of subjects.

12. Jadavpur University, Kolkata

Overview

Jadavpur University is a prominent public research university, known for its strong focus on engineering, science, and the arts.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Engineering (BE)
• Master of Technology (M.Tech)
• Master of Arts (MA)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Arundhati Bhattacharya, former Chairperson of the State Bank of India
• Prosenjit Chatterjee, Bengali film actor

Unique Fact

Jadavpur University has an active collaboration with various international universities, fostering global research partnerships and student exchange programs.

13. Anna University, Chennai

Overview

Anna University is a renowned technical university in Tamil Nadu, known for its strong emphasis on engineering and technology education.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Engineering (BE)
• Master of Engineering (ME)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Verghese Kurien, father of the White Revolution in India
• A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India

Unique Fact

Anna University is one of the few universities in India to have a dedicated center for aerospace research, contributing significantly to India’s space program.

14. Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh

Overview

AMU is a public central university, renowned for its diverse academic programs and cultural heritage.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• Zakir Husain, former President of India
• Naseeruddin Shah, acclaimed actor

Unique Fact

AMU has a unique cultural heritage and is one of the few universities in India to have its own residential school system, preparing students for higher education.

15. Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune

Overview

Savitribai Phule Pune University, formerly known as the University of Pune, is a premier university in Maharashtra, known for its academic excellence and research contributions.

Courses Offered

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• PhD Programs

Notable Alumni

• P.V. Narasimha Rao, former Prime Minister of India
• Pratibha Patil, former President of India

Unique Fact

Savitribai Phule Pune University has a dedicated “Centre for Performing Arts,” promoting education and research in various forms of performing arts, including theater, dance, and music.