Universities in India

A university is an institution of higher education and research which grants academic degrees and doctrates in several academic disciplines. The main responsibilities of universities are affiliating colleges, conducting examinations and awarding academic certificates. The first comprehensive plan for the spread of education in India was Wood's Despatch (1854). It made medium of instruction English for higher studies and vernacular at school levels. Lord Dalhouise was the Governor General of India at the time of Wood's Despatch. The Universities of Calcutta, Bombay, Madras was set up in 1857, according to Wood's Despatch. Lord Canning was the Governor General at the time when Universities of Calcutta, Bombay, Madras was established. Later in 1882, Punjab University and in 1887, Allahabad University was established. UGC is the organizations that gave recognition and accreditations to the Universities. UGC was established on December 28, 1953. UGC became a statutory organisation by an Act of Parliament in 1956. The University Grants Commission provides funds for government recognized universities and colleges. The Headquarters of UGC is in New Delhi. As of 14 November 2023, the list of total number of universities published by the UGC includes 479 active state universities, 56 central universities, 124 deemed universities and 455 state private universities in India.

Types of Universities in India

■ Central Universities

Central universities or Union universities, are established under an Act of Parliament. Central Universities are working under the purview of the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

■ State Universities

State universities are universities under the state government of each of the states and territories of India. They are usually established by a local legislative assembly act. 

■ Deemed Universities

Deemed University is a status of autonomy granted by Department of Higher Education on the advice of University Grants Commission under the UGC Act. The first deemed University in India is Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The state with most deemed Universities in India is Tamil Nadu.

■ Private Universities

Private universities are established by an Act of a State Legislative Assembly and approved by the University Grants Commission.

Institutes of National Importance

■ Indian Institute of Science (IISc)

■ Indian Institute of Technology (IITs)

■ Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISERs)

■ All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

■ National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs)

■ National Institutes of Technology (NITs)

■ Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)

■ Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

■ Agricultural Universities