India is one of the largest, most rapidly developing countries in the world. One of the sectors closely experiencing this progress is education.
Some of the top universities in India, like the country’s Institutes of Technology (IITs), having a solid reputation in STEM education, fueled the careers of global prodigies like Sundar Pichai (CEO of Alphabet/Google) and Arvind Krishna (CEO of IBM). And now, higher education opportunities have expanded even more.
As of 2025, over 72,000 international students, mostly from countries like Nepal, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh come to study in India’s universities. Moreover, a record 54 Indian universities are now part of the QS World University Rankings!
If you’re considering studying in one of India’s top universities, it’s probably the best time to turn the thought into a reality. However, navigating the Indian higher education system can be challenging if you’re not a local.
So in this blog, we’ll simplify that for you and list the top 10 universities in India.
Key takeaways:
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How is India’s higher education system structured?
The higher education system in India is structured in tiers.
During high school, students pick a stream, like commerce, science, or arts/humanities, based on which they enrol in an undergraduate programme.
Under the Indian university system, undergraduate programmes are 3-5 years long. Some of the most popular ones are Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Technology (BTech), and Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Students who successfully finish their undergraduate studies become eligible for entry-level jobs or postgraduate education. The latter is 1-2 years long and includes programmes like Master of Commerce (MCom), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Business Administration (MBA), etc. After they finish their Master’s, same like anywhere in the world, graduates either start working or pursue a PhD if they’re aiming for a research or academic career.
Types of universities in India
There are four main types of universities in India:
- Central universities: Also known as “Union universities”, these are run by the central government of India. As of 2025, there are 54 central universities in India. Popular ones include Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University (DU), etc.
- State universities: These are run by the state governments of India. As of 2025, there are approximately 420 state universities in the country, such as Calcutta University (CU), Anna University, etc.
- Private universities: These are run and managed by private entities. As of 2025, there are approximately 360 private universities in India, such as Amity University and Lovely Professional University.
- Deemed universities: These are special-status universities that offer programmes in specific fields, like Technology, Medicine, and Management. They are autonomous and funded either by the government or private entities. Currently, there are approximately 150 deemed universities in India. Two popular ones are BITS Pilani and VIT Vellore.
Apart from these, there are two other types of higher education institutions in India. They operate with more autonomy, but still fall within the UGC framework in some capacity:
- Institutes of National Importance (INI): Includes over 150 institutions, like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
- Open universities: Includes over 10 institutions, like Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU), and others.
In 2025, there are over 1,100 universities in India offering both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
How did we pick the best universities in India?
The best universities in India usually fall into two categories (among those mentioned earlier): central universities and state universities. Many of them are located in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, where the technology, business, and research sectors are strong.
The number of international students is still growing, so you can expect a mix of strong academic options and a developing support system designed to make the study experience smoother.
We’ve built a list of the top universities in India, and this is what we considered when we did it:
- Their accreditations to assess their educational standards
- Their admission competitiveness to ensure they’re truly valuable
- Their QS World University Rankings to gauge their global prestige
Top universities in India (the best 10) and what sets them apart
If you’re a high schooler planning to pursue your bachelor's or master's in India, these are some of the best universities you should aim to get into:
Name of the university | Programmes offered | Subjects | Location | University type | Global ranking | |
1. | Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) | UG and PG | Engineering, tech, sciences | Multiple locations | INI | - |
2. | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) | UG and PG | Medicine, surgery, nursing | Multiple locations | INI | 145 |
3. | Indian Institute of Science (IISc) | UG and PG | Science, engineering, research | Bangalore, Karnataka | INI | 211 |
4. | Delhi University (DU) | UG and PG | Commerce, arts, sciences | New Delhi | Central university | 328 |
5. | Anna University | UG and PG | Engineering, tech, management | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | State university | 383 |
6. | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) | Mostly PG | Management, business, finance | Multiple locations | INI | - |
7. | Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | UG and PG | Social sciences, humanities, languages | New Delhi | Central university | 580 |
8. | Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) | UG and PG | Engineering, sciences, tech | Vellore, Tamil Nadu | Deemed university | 791-800 |
9. | Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) | UG and PG | Engineering, law, media | New Delhi | Central university | 851-900 |
10. | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | UG and PG | Sciences, arts, medicine | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Central university | 1001-1200 |
1. Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
IITs are among the most prestigious institutions in India. With 23 campuses across the country, they are known for their world-class STEM education and highly rigorous programmes that focus on research, innovation, and skill development.
To get into an IIT, you need to meet its general eligibility criteria and crack two exams: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Usually, the acceptance rate is very low, between 1% to 2%. However, being an international student, you can apply under supernumerary seats to compete for up to 10% of the seats reserved for international students in India.
Preparing for JEE? Here are the two cents from Akshat Kumar Chaurasia—JEE Advanced 2025 topper, AIR 6:
‘The most important thing is practice. One should practice as much as they can. It builds confidence.’
2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
AIIMS is a group of autonomous medical colleges and hospitals. It’s often the first preference of every MBBS student in India, thanks to its world-class faculty, research opportunities, and real-world exposure.
Apart from medicine, AIIMS also provides education in related healthcare fields like nursing and paramedical. However, the admission is highly competitive. To secure a seat for their MBBS programme, you must meet their eligibility criteria and crack NEET-UG. Moreover, the number of reserved seats for foreign nationals is also very low (7 seats at AIIMS Delhi).
3. Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Located in Bangalore, IISc is a premier STEM university in India. Unlike other institutes of its kind, IISc is known for its research excellence. Whether you enrol in an undergrad or a postgrad programme, you’ll find that the curriculum is systematically built to develop both theoretical foundations and practical skills.
As for the programmes, IISc's speciality lies in engineering, science, and tech fields. For this reason, many students who fail to get into an IIT apply to IISc. However, it’s also super prestigious and difficult to get into. To be eligible, international students must pass JEE Main/Advanced, IAT, NEET (UG), or GATE (PG), and meet other criteria.
4. Delhi University (DU)
Delhi University (DU) is arguably one of the best central universities in India. The reason? Some of the top colleges in the country, like St. Stephen’s College, Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), and Hindu College are affiliated with it.
DU offers undergrad and postgrad programmes in all core streams. So whether you’re an arts student or a science one, you can easily find a reputable college. However, DU’s academic standards are very high, so getting in can be difficult.
5. Anna University
Anna University is a state university located in Chennai. It offers various undergrad and postgrad programmes across STEM, management, and arts fields.
Due to its rigorous curriculum and extensive placement opportunities, Anna University is considered one of the most prominent public universities in India. Additionally, its cutoff is also very high, adding to its prestige.
6. Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
In India, IIMs are the gold standard of management education. With 21 campuses across the country, they specialise in business-related programmes like MBA, PGP, FPM, and others.
There are various factors that set IIMs apart from other B-schools in the country. Their education quality is elite, their faculty is top-tier, and their alumni network is extensive. However, what stands out the best is their solid, global placement opportunities. Due to these reasons, admission into any IIM is extremely difficult. As an international student, you must clear GMAT/GRE to make it into the institute.
7. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
JNU is another well-known central university in India. If you want to enrol in an economics or political science programme, it might be the best option for you. Besides this, it’s also known for its programmes in history, international studies, and literature.
JNU’s curriculum is comprehensive, research-oriented, and taught by some of the most seasoned experts in the field. But what actually makes it special is its campus life. JNU boasts a vibrant campus atmosphere immersed in learning. However, their admission process is fairly rigorous, usually requiring international students to clear an entrance exam to be eligible.
8. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
VIT is a private deemed university with multiple campuses across India. It specialises in undergrad, postgrad, integrated, and doctoral programmes in fields like engineering, science, management, humanities, and various others.
VIT is known for its academic excellence and extensive partnerships that enable students to advance their careers. The institute also ranks highly in global rankings. As for the admission criteria, it’s not as selective as others on the list. You can apply via direct merit of qualifying exams—no VITEEE required.
9. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is a top central university in New Delhi, popular with international students. It offers UG, PG, integrated, and PhD programs in arts, sciences, engineering, media, and humanities.
JMI has strong academics, vibrant campus life, and a diverse student community. Delhi's location means great cultural exposure and low living costs. International students get seats based on merit—no entrance exam needed.
10. Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is one of India’s oldest and largest central universities, offering undergrad, postgrad, integrated, and doctoral programmes across sciences, humanities, medicine, agriculture, engineering, and arts.
BHU stands out for its research strengths, historic campus, and extensive student network. International students can apply via eligibility-based criteria. The campus combines academic rigour with rich cultural immersion, giving students a traditional Indian university experience along with modern learning opportunities.
Explore more Top Universities in India for International Students on Mastersportal
What’s the future of higher education in India?
India is known for sending its students abroad for higher education. But not anymore. The Indian government now plans to welcome international students from around the world to the country.
Here’s an outlook of the revamped structure of Indian higher education in 2025:
- NEP 2020 goals: Focus on better quality, flexible programmes, and more research opportunities to match global standards.
- Internationalisation push: Easier student visas, scholarships, and partnerships to attract foreign students.
- Transnational Education (TNE): Joint degrees, online courses, and foreign branch campuses operating in India.
- Education export targets: Aims for 500K international students by 2047 via the Study in India program.
As stated in an official Press Release dated 14 June 2025:
NEP 2020 places a strong emphasis on attaining the highest global standards in higher education quality. It highlights the need for ‘internatilisatoin at home’ and promotes India as a global study destination.
Choosing a university in India—the next steps
If you’re an international student considering universities in India for higher education, keep a few things in mind:
- Check the university’s accreditation to ensure your degree is recognised globally.
- Make sure the course language suits you (most are in English).
- Think about the city: Delhi and Mumbai are vibrant but pricey, smaller cities are quieter but affordable.
- Look into the university’s programme strengths and see if they even align with your goals.
- Last but not least, don’t forget to factor in living costs. That often ends up being an unpleasant surprise.
If you still need expert guidance, check out Mastersportal to find the best programme for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. Is India an ideal destination for higher education?
Yes, India is an ideal destination for higher education, especially for international students looking for affordable, high-quality programmes.
2. How many universities are present in India?
As of 2025, over 1,300 universities are operating in India.
3. Is higher education in India expensive for foreign students?
No, higher education in India is relatively more affordable than in other countries.
4. What is the best STEM university in India?
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are considered the best STEM universities in India.
5. Is it tough to get into an IIT?
Yes, it’s very difficult to get into an IIT. The acceptance rate is very low, usually below 1%.
