Best universities in India 2024
Explore India and some of its most influential universities, using Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2024
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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 | University | City | State |
| 1 | 201–250 | 251–300 | Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore | Karnataka |
| =2 | 501–600 | 801–1000 | Anna University | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| =2 | 501–600 | 501–600 | Jamia Millia Islamia | Jamia Nagar | Delhi |
| =2 | 501–600 | 401–500 | Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam | Kerala |
| =2 | 501–600 | 351–400 | Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences | Solan | Himachal 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 | University | City | State |
| 1 | 201–250 | 251–300 | Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore | Karnataka |
| =2 | 501–600 | 801–1000 | Anna University | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| =2 | 501–600 | 501–600 | Jamia Millia Islamia | Jamia Nagar | Delhi |
| =2 | 501–600 | 401–500 | Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam | Kerala |
| =2 | 501–600 | 351–400 | Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences | Solan | Himachal 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 2024 | World University Rank 2024 | World University Rank 2023 | University | City | State |
| 1 | 201–250 | 251–300 | Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore | Karnataka |
| =2 | 501–600 | 801–1000 | Anna University | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| =2 | 501–600 | 501–600 | Jamia Millia Islamia | Jamia Nagar | Delhi |
| =2 | 501–600 | 401–500 | Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam | Kerala |
| =2 | 501–600 | 351–400 | Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences | Solan | Himachal Pradesh |
| =6 | 601–800 | 401–500 | Alagappa University | Karaikudi | Tamil Nadu |
| =6 | 601–800 | 801–1000 | Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh | Uttar Pradesh |
| =6 | 601–800 | 601–800 | Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh |
| =6 | 601–800 | 801–1000 | Bharathiar University | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu |
| =6 | 601–800 | 1001–1200 | Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati | Guwahati | Assam |
| =6 | 601–800 | 1001–1200 | Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad | Dhanbad | Jharkhand |
| =6 | 601–800 | 801–1000 | Indian Institute of Technology Patna | Patna | Bihar |
| =6 | 601–800 | 501–600 | International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad | Hyderabad | Telangana |
| =6 | 601–800 | 601–800 | Jamia Hamdard University | New Delhi | Delhi |
| =6 | 601–800 | 601–800 | Jawaharlal Nehru University | New Delhi | Delhi |
| =6 | 601–800 | 601–800 | KIIT University | Bhubaneswar | Odisha |
| =6 | 601–800 | NR | Malaviya National Institute of Technology | Jaipur | Rajasthan |
| =6 | 601–800 | 801–1000 | Manipal Academy of Higher Education | Manipal | Karnataka |
| =6 | 601–800 | 1001–1200 | National Institute of Technology Rourkela | Rourkela | Odisha |
| =6 | 601–800 | 601–800 | National Institute of Technology Silchar | Silchar | Assam |
| =6 | 601–800 | 801–1000 | Panjab University | Chandigarh | Punjab |
| =6 | 601–800 | 501–600 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| =6 | 601–800 | 601–800 | Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | Patiala | Punjab |
| =6 | 601–800 | 801–1000 | VIT University | Vellore | Tamil Nadu |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 1001–1200 | Amity University | Noida | National Capital Region |
| =25 | 801–1000 | NR | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 801–1000 | Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani | Pilani | Rajasthan |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 801–1000 | Institute of Chemical Technology | Mumbai | Maharashtra |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 1001–1200 | University of Delhi | New Delhi | Delhi |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 601–800 | Delhi Technological University | New Delhi | Delhi |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 1001–1200 | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune | Pune | Maharashtra |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 801–1000 | Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar | Gujarat |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 601–800 | Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi | New Delhi | Delhi |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 1201–1500 | Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur (JNTUA) | Anathapuramu | Andhra Pradesh |
| =25 | 801–1000 | NR | Jaypee University of Information Technology | Solan | Himachal Pradesh |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 351–400 | JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research | Mysore | Karnataka |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 601–800 | Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education | Krishankoli | Tamil Nadu |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 801–1000 | Lovely Professional University | Phagwara | Punjab |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 801–1000 | National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli | Tamil Nadu |
| =25 | 801–1000 | NR | UPES | Dehradun | Uttarakhand |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 601–800 | Savitribai Phule Pune University | Pune | Maharashtra |
| =25 | 801–1000 | NR | Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University | Katra | Jammu and Kashmir |
| =25 | 801–1000 | 1001–1200 | Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan | Bhubaneswar | Odisha |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | 1001–1200 | University of Calcutta | Kolkata | West Bengal |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | 1001–1200 | Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar | Jalandhar | Punjab |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | NR | Gauhati University | Guwahati | Assam |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | NR | GLA University | Mathura | Uttar Pradesh |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | NR | Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya | Bilaspur | Chhattisgarh |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | 1001–1200 | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata | Kolkata | West Bengal |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | 501–600 | Indian Institute of Technology Ropar | Rupnagar | Punjab |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | 1001–1200 | Indian Institute of Technology Mandi | Mandi | Himachal Pradesh |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | 1001–1200 | Jadavpur University | Kolkata | West Bengal |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | NR | Karnatak University Dharwad | Dharwad | Karnataka |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | 601–800 | Maharishi Markandeshwar University (MMU) | Ambala | Haryana |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | NR | National Institute of Technology Warangal | Hanamkonda | Telangana |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | 1001–1200 | Pondicherry University | Pondicherry | Puducherry |
| =44 | 1001–1200 | 801–1000 | Symbiosis International University | Pune | Maharashtra |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | Acharya Nagarjuna University | Guntur | Andhra Pradesh |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | Banasthali University | Vanasthali | Rajasthan |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | NR | B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | NR | Christ University Bengaluru India | Bangalore | Karnataka |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | Cochin | Kerala |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1001–1200 | Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology | Hisari | Haryana |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | NR | Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 801–1000 | KL University | Guntur | Andhra Pradesh |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | NR | Manipal University Jaipur | Jaipur | Rajasthan |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | NR | National Institute of Technology Srinagar | Srinagar | Jammu and Kashmir |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | Osmania University | Hyderabad | Telangana |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | SASTRA University | Thanjavur | Tamil Nadu |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | Sri Venkateswara University | Andhra | Andhra Pradesh |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Chengalpattu | Tamil Nadu |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | Tezpur University | Sonitpur | Assam |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | NR | Thiagarajar College of Engineering | Madurai | Tamil Nadu |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | Veltech University | Morai | Tamil Nadu |
| =58 | 1201–1500 | 1201–1500 | Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur | Nagpur | Maharashtra |
| =78 | 1501+ | 1201–1500 | Andhra University | Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh |
| =78 | 1501+ | 1501+ | Annamalai University | Cuddalore | Tamil Nadu |
| =78 | 1501+ | NR | Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| =78 | 1501+ | NR | Bharati Vidyapeeth University | Pune | Maharashtra |
| =78 | 1501+ | 1501+ | GITAM University | Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh |
| =78 | 1501+ | NR | Goa University | Panaji | Goa |
| =78 | 1501+ | NR | Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| =78 | 1501+ | 1201–1500 | University of Lucknow | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh |
| =78 | 1501+ | 1201–1500 | University of Mysore | Mysuru | Karnataka |
| =78 | 1501+ | 1501+ | PSG College of Technology | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu |
| =78 | 1501+ | NR | REVA University | Bangalore | Karnataka |
| =78 | 1501+ | 1501+ | R V College of Engineering | Bangalore | Karnataka |
| =78 | 1501+ | 1501+ | Tamil Nadu Agricultural University | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu |
| =78 | 1501+ | 1201–1500 | Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research | Vadlamudi | Andhra Pradesh |
