Best universities in India 2024

By seeta.bhardwa@…, 23 April, 2024

Top universities in India 2024

Scroll down for the full list of best universities in India

India Rank 2024 World University Rank 2024  World University Rank 2023 UniversityCity State
1 201–250  251–300 Indian Institute of ScienceBangaloreKarnataka
=2 501–600  801–1000 Anna UniversityChennaiTamil Nadu
=2 501–600  501–600 Jamia Millia IslamiaJamia NagarDelhi
=2 501–600  401–500 Mahatma Gandhi UniversityKottayamKerala
=2 501–600  351–400 Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management SciencesSolanHimachal Pradesh

India’s higher education system is one of the largest in the world, along with those of China and the United States, and is especially known for its engineering schools. The country’s parliament declared institutes of technology as “institutes of national importance” in 1961, which helped the then newly established universities to grow and develop their reputations.

National competition for a place at one of India’s best universities is fierce, and an increasing number of international students go to study there, too. An advantage for international students is that all courses are taught in English.

The country’s rich traditions, landscape and food are further reasons why you may want to experience India as a student. India is one of the most diverse countries in the world, so you may want to choose your university based on the state and its local culture.

Many Indian universities are in beautiful natural parks. Whether located in rural or city settings, a number of the best institutions host festivals and events that make campus life more exciting. 

Read about some of India’s best universities based on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 below. 


Best universities in Asia
Best universities in Singapore
Best universities in Pakistan
Best universities in the UK
Best universities in the United States
Best universities in Europe
Best universities in China


How we selected the best universities in India

The best universities in India list is compiled by filtering the World University Rankings by each individual country. In this case we selected only the universities in India that were in the World University Rankings to compile this list. 

Universities that submit data to the World University Rankings are assessed based on the following criteria: Teaching (the learning environment); Research Environment (volume, income and reputation); Research Quality (citation impact, research strength, research excellence and research influence); International Outlook (staff, students and research); and Industry (income and patents).

Our in-house data team also collects key statistics from each university, including the number of students, the student gender ratio, the staff-to-student ratio and the percentage of international students.

The full methodology for the World University Rankings can be found here.

Best universities in India 2023 v 2024

There have been a few changes to the best universities in India between 2023 and 2024. While the Indian Institute of Science maintained its first place position from last year, there were significant movements elsewhere in the table.

One of the most noticeable changes was Anna University moving up to second place position from joint 23rd position. Another significant move was Aligarh Muslim University climbing from joint 23rd to joint sixth. Otherwise there has been little movement within the top 10 from last year, with Alagappa University moving from =4 to =6 this year.

There are also more universities included in the table in total – in 2023 75 universities in India were ranked in the World University Rankings, while in 2024 there are 91. 

Top 5 universities in India

1. Indian Institute of Science

Founded in Bangalore in the south-western state of Karnataka in 1909, the Indian Institute of Science is one of the highest regarded Indian institutions.

It is a public university that is heavily focused on research, with about 70 per cent of its student body undertaking PhD and MA research projects.

The university offers only one undergraduate programme: a four-year BA in science. The programme’s core modules are physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology and humanities. In their final year, students do an individual research project. In order to apply to this course, students have to provide their scores from one of the national examinations of India. 

The institute claims more than 75 winners of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology.

=2. Anna University

Anna University was formed in 1978 by the merger of four existing Chennai technical institutions with some elements of the University of Madras. It was named after C.N. Annadurai, a chief minister of the state of Tamil Nadu. 

It is a public state university located in Tamil Nadu, India. The main campus is in Chennai.

The university is made up of four colleges – The College of Engineering, The Alagappa College of Technology, The Madras Institute of Technology and The School of Architecture and Planning.

=2. Jamia Millia Islamia

Jamia Millia Islamia, which translates as Community Islamic University, is a public university in New Delhi, established by Muslim leaders in 1920.

Jama Millia Islamia has nine faculties: law, engineering and technology, architecture and ekistics, humanities and languages, fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences, education, and dentistry.

The university places an emphasis on sports for both students and staff. The university cricket ground often hosts games within a range of tournaments including the Cricket World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. 

=2. Mahatma Gandhi University

Mahatma Gandhi University is an Indian public university named after leading civil rights figure Mahatma Gandhi.

The university was established in 1983 and offers a wide range of academic degrees in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes. There are schools in a wide range of subject areas including chemical science, international relations and politics, social science, tourism studies, letters and physics among many others. 

Scholars and students are able to apply for a series of fellowships and grants offered by the university.

=2. Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Science

Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences is a private university, established in 2009.

The university is made up of 15 schools including agriculture, bioengineering and food technology, biotechnology, mechanical, civil and electrical engineering, business management, liberal arts, journalism, pharmaceutical sciences, physics and materials science, advanced chemical sciences and law among others. 

All students who attend Shoolini University join a programme called SPRINT (skill programming through rapid and intensive training) which helps to prepare them for interviews and job placements once they graduate.


University life in: India
A day in the life of a student in India
Study abroad countries that you’ve never thought of
Ten things to know about studying in India


Top universities in India 2024

Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2024 results

Top universities in India 2024

Scroll down for the full list of best universities in India

India Rank 2024 World University Rank 2024  World University Rank 2023 UniversityCity State
1 201–250  251–300 Indian Institute of ScienceBangaloreKarnataka
=2 501–600  801–1000 Anna UniversityChennaiTamil Nadu
=2 501–600  501–600 Jamia Millia IslamiaJamia NagarDelhi
=2 501–600  401–500 Mahatma Gandhi UniversityKottayamKerala
=2 501–600  351–400 Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management SciencesSolanHimachal Pradesh

India’s higher education system is one of the largest in the world, along with those of China and the United States, and is especially known for its engineering schools. The country’s parliament declared institutes of technology as “institutes of national importance” in 1961, which helped the then newly established universities to grow and develop their reputations.

National competition for a place at one of India’s best universities is fierce, and an increasing number of international students go to study there, too. An advantage for international students is that all courses are taught in English.

The country’s rich traditions, landscape and food are further reasons why you may want to experience India as a student. India is one of the most diverse countries in the world, so you may want to choose your university based on the state and its local culture.

Many Indian universities are in beautiful natural parks. Whether located in rural or city settings, a number of the best institutions host festivals and events that make campus life more exciting. 

Read about some of India’s best universities based on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 below. 


Best universities in Asia
Best universities in Singapore
Best universities in Pakistan
Best universities in the UK
Best universities in the United States
Best universities in Europe
Best universities in China


How we selected the best universities in India

The best universities in India list is compiled by filtering the World University Rankings by each individual country. In this case we selected only the universities in India that were in the World University Rankings to compile this list. 

Universities that submit data to the World University Rankings are assessed based on the following criteria: Teaching (the learning environment); Research Environment (volume, income and reputation); Research Quality (citation impact, research strength, research excellence and research influence); International Outlook (staff, students and research); and Industry (income and patents).

Our in-house data team also collects key statistics from each university, including the number of students, the student gender ratio, the staff-to-student ratio and the percentage of international students.

The full methodology for the World University Rankings can be found here.

Best universities in India 2023 v 2024

There have been a few changes to the best universities in India between 2023 and 2024. While the Indian Institute of Science maintained its first place position from last year, there were significant movements elsewhere in the table.

One of the most noticeable changes was Anna University moving up to second place position from joint 23rd position. Another significant move was Aligarh Muslim University climbing from joint 23rd to joint sixth. Otherwise there has been little movement within the top 10 from last year, with Alagappa University moving from =4 to =6 this year.

There are also more universities included in the table in total – in 2023 75 universities in India were ranked in the World University Rankings, while in 2024 there are 91. 

Top 5 universities in India

1. Indian Institute of Science

Founded in Bangalore in the south-western state of Karnataka in 1909, the Indian Institute of Science is one of the highest regarded Indian institutions.

It is a public university that is heavily focused on research, with about 70 per cent of its student body undertaking PhD and MA research projects.

The university offers only one undergraduate programme: a four-year BA in science. The programme’s core modules are physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology and humanities. In their final year, students do an individual research project. In order to apply to this course, students have to provide their scores from one of the national examinations of India. 

The institute claims more than 75 winners of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology.

=2. Anna University

Anna University was formed in 1978 by the merger of four existing Chennai technical institutions with some elements of the University of Madras. It was named after C.N. Annadurai, a chief minister of the state of Tamil Nadu. 

It is a public state university located in Tamil Nadu, India. The main campus is in Chennai.

The university is made up of four colleges – The College of Engineering, The Alagappa College of Technology, The Madras Institute of Technology and The School of Architecture and Planning.

=2. Jamia Millia Islamia

Jamia Millia Islamia, which translates as Community Islamic University, is a public university in New Delhi, established by Muslim leaders in 1920.

Jama Millia Islamia has nine faculties: law, engineering and technology, architecture and ekistics, humanities and languages, fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences, education, and dentistry.

The university places an emphasis on sports for both students and staff. The university cricket ground often hosts games within a range of tournaments including the Cricket World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. 

=2. Mahatma Gandhi University

Mahatma Gandhi University is an Indian public university named after leading civil rights figure Mahatma Gandhi.

The university was established in 1983 and offers a wide range of academic degrees in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes. There are schools in a wide range of subject areas including chemical science, international relations and politics, social science, tourism studies, letters and physics among many others. 

Scholars and students are able to apply for a series of fellowships and grants offered by the university.

=2. Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Science

Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences is a private university, established in 2009.

The university is made up of 15 schools including agriculture, bioengineering and food technology, biotechnology, mechanical, civil and electrical engineering, business management, liberal arts, journalism, pharmaceutical sciences, physics and materials science, advanced chemical sciences and law among others. 

All students who attend Shoolini University join a programme called SPRINT (skill programming through rapid and intensive training) which helps to prepare them for interviews and job placements once they graduate.


University life in: India
A day in the life of a student in India
Study abroad countries that you’ve never thought of
Ten things to know about studying in India


Top universities in India 2024

Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2024 results

India Rank 2024World University Rank 2024 World University Rank 2023 UniversityCity State
1201–250 251–300 Indian Institute of ScienceBangaloreKarnataka
=2501–600 801–1000 Anna UniversityChennaiTamil Nadu
=2501–600 501–600 Jamia Millia IslamiaJamia NagarDelhi
=2501–600 401–500 Mahatma Gandhi UniversityKottayamKerala
=2501–600 351–400 Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management SciencesSolanHimachal Pradesh
=6601–800 401–500 Alagappa UniversityKaraikudiTamil Nadu
=6601–800 801–1000 Aligarh Muslim UniversityAligarhUttar Pradesh
=6601–800 601–800 Banaras Hindu UniversityVaranasiUttar Pradesh
=6601–800 801–1000 Bharathiar UniversityCoimbatoreTamil Nadu
=6601–800 1001–1200 Indian Institute of Technology GuwahatiGuwahatiAssam
=6601–800 1001–1200 Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) DhanbadDhanbadJharkhand
=6601–800 801–1000 Indian Institute of Technology PatnaPatnaBihar
=6601–800 501–600 International Institute of Information Technology, HyderabadHyderabadTelangana
=6601–800 601–800 Jamia Hamdard UniversityNew DelhiDelhi
=6601–800 601–800 Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew DelhiDelhi
=6601–800 601–800 KIIT UniversityBhubaneswarOdisha
=6601–800 NR Malaviya National Institute of TechnologyJaipurRajasthan
=6601–800 801–1000 Manipal Academy of Higher EducationManipalKarnataka
=6601–800 1001–1200 National Institute of Technology RourkelaRourkelaOdisha
=6601–800 601–800 National Institute of Technology SilcharSilcharAssam
=6601–800 801–1000 Panjab UniversityChandigarhPunjab
=6601–800 501–600 Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical SciencesChennaiTamil Nadu
=6601–800 601–800 Thapar Institute of Engineering and TechnologyPatialaPunjab
=6601–800 801–1000 VIT UniversityVelloreTamil Nadu
=25801–1000 1001–1200 Amity UniversityNoidaNational Capital Region
=25801–1000 NR Amrita Vishwa VidyapeethamCoimbatoreTamil Nadu
=25801–1000 801–1000 Birla Institute of Technology and Science, PilaniPilaniRajasthan
=25801–1000 801–1000 Institute of Chemical TechnologyMumbaiMaharashtra
=25801–1000 1001–1200 University of DelhiNew DelhiDelhi
=25801–1000 601–800 Delhi Technological UniversityNew DelhiDelhi
=25801–1000 1001–1200 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, PunePuneMaharashtra
=25801–1000 801–1000 Indian Institute of Technology GandhinagarGandhinagarGujarat
=25801–1000 601–800 Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology DelhiNew DelhiDelhi
=25801–1000 1201–1500 Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur (JNTUA)AnathapuramuAndhra Pradesh 
=25801–1000 NR Jaypee University of Information TechnologySolanHimachal Pradesh
=25801–1000 351–400 JSS Academy of Higher Education and ResearchMysoreKarnataka
=25801–1000 601–800 Kalasalingam Academy of Research and EducationKrishankoliTamil Nadu
=25801–1000 801–1000 Lovely Professional UniversityPhagwaraPunjab
=25801–1000 801–1000 National Institute of Technology, TiruchirappalliTiruchirappalliTamil Nadu
=25801–1000 NR UPESDehradunUttarakhand
=25801–1000 601–800 Savitribai Phule Pune UniversityPuneMaharashtra
=25801–1000 NR Shri Mata Vaishno Devi UniversityKatraJammu and Kashmir
=25801–1000 1001–1200 Siksha ‘O’ AnusandhanBhubaneswarOdisha
=441001–1200 1001–1200 University of CalcuttaKolkataWest Bengal
=441001–1200 1001–1200 Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology JalandharJalandharPunjab
=441001–1200 NR Gauhati UniversityGuwahatiAssam
=441001–1200 NR GLA UniversityMathuraUttar Pradesh
=441001–1200 NR Guru Ghasidas VishwavidyalayaBilaspurChhattisgarh
=441001–1200 1001–1200 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research KolkataKolkataWest Bengal
=441001–1200 501–600 Indian Institute of Technology RoparRupnagarPunjab
=441001–1200 1001–1200 Indian Institute of Technology MandiMandiHimachal Pradesh
=441001–1200 1001–1200 Jadavpur UniversityKolkataWest Bengal
=441001–1200 NR Karnatak University DharwadDharwadKarnataka
=441001–1200 601–800 Maharishi Markandeshwar University (MMU)AmbalaHaryana
=441001–1200 NR National Institute of Technology WarangalHanamkondaTelangana
=441001–1200 1001–1200 Pondicherry UniversityPondicherryPuducherry
=441001–1200 801–1000 Symbiosis International UniversityPuneMaharashtra
=581201–1500 1201–1500 Acharya Nagarjuna UniversityGunturAndhra Pradesh 
=581201–1500 1201–1500 Banasthali UniversityVanasthaliRajasthan
=581201–1500 NR B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and TechnologyChennaiTamil Nadu
=581201–1500 NR Christ University Bengaluru IndiaBangaloreKarnataka
=581201–1500 1201–1500 Cochin University of Science and TechnologyCochinKerala
=581201–1500 1001–1200 Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and TechnologyHisariHaryana
=581201–1500 1201–1500 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research BhopalBhopalMadhya Pradesh
=581201–1500 NR Karunya Institute of Technology and SciencesCoimbatoreTamil Nadu
=581201–1500 801–1000 KL UniversityGunturAndhra Pradesh 
=581201–1500 NR Manipal University JaipurJaipurRajasthan
=581201–1500 NR National Institute of Technology SrinagarSrinagarJammu and Kashmir
=581201–1500 1201–1500 Osmania UniversityHyderabadTelangana
=581201–1500 1201–1500 SASTRA UniversityThanjavurTamil Nadu
=581201–1500 1201–1500 Sathyabama Institute of Science and TechnologyChennaiTamil Nadu
=581201–1500 1201–1500 Sri Venkateswara UniversityAndhraAndhra Pradesh 
=581201–1500 1201–1500 SRM Institute of Science and TechnologyChengalpattuTamil Nadu
=581201–1500 1201–1500 Tezpur UniversitySonitpurAssam
=581201–1500 NR Thiagarajar College of EngineeringMaduraiTamil Nadu
=581201–1500 1201–1500 Veltech UniversityMoraiTamil Nadu
=581201–1500 1201–1500 Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, NagpurNagpurMaharashtra
=781501+ 1201–1500 Andhra UniversityVisakhapatnamAndhra Pradesh 
=781501+ 1501+ Annamalai UniversityCuddaloreTamil Nadu
=781501+ NR Bharath Institute of Higher Education and ResearchChennaiTamil Nadu
=781501+ NR Bharati Vidyapeeth UniversityPuneMaharashtra
=781501+ 1501+ GITAM UniversityVisakhapatnamAndhra Pradesh 
=781501+ NR Goa UniversityPanajiGoa
=781501+ NR Hindustan Institute of Technology and ScienceChennaiTamil Nadu
=781501+ 1201–1500 University of LucknowLucknowUttar Pradesh
=781501+ 1201–1500 University of MysoreMysuruKarnataka
=781501+ 1501+ PSG College of TechnologyCoimbatoreTamil Nadu
=781501+ NR REVA UniversityBangaloreKarnataka
=781501+ 1501+ R V College of EngineeringBangaloreKarnataka
=781501+ 1501+ Tamil Nadu Agricultural UniversityCoimbatoreTamil Nadu
=781501+ 1201–1500 Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and ResearchVadlamudiAndhra Pradesh 
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Explore India and some of its most influential universities, using Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2024

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