Top Government Universities in India 2025
Are you searching for the top 10 government universities in India to help you narrow down your college choice? To help students enrol in the best government university in India, this article discusses a list of renowned varsities based on their NIRF ranking, accreditation, UG & PG median salary, etc.
Top 10 government universities in India: The country’s education sector has undergone innovative changes that have led to academic excellence and better career opportunities for students. Currently, there are 136 government universities in India that are known to impart standard education across various streams at the UG, PG, and doctoral levels. As you must be aware, universities play a pivotal role in shaping a student’s prospects, so when choosing a university, a lot of care should be taken. Most students prefer government-owned institutes to private ones for better recognition, accreditation, and affordable fees. To choose India's No. 1 government university per your preferred specialisation, we suggest you base your decision on factors like ranking, accreditation, facilities, infrastructure, fees, and placement. To save you from indulging in the complex process of shortlisting, we have prepared a list of the best government universities in India based on NIRF 2024 rankings. Continue reading and learn all the facts about these top institutions to make a wise choice.
1. IISc Bangalore
Founded in 1909 by the notable industrialist Jamshedji Tata, it stands in the first position among the India no 1 government university nestled in Bangalore. Currently, the varsity has a total of 45 academic departments that offer 738 UG and PG programs including BSc, B.Tech, MTech, M.Mgt, MDes, and PhD. The varsity has collaborated with top organisations like DRDO, ISRO, and Indian Ordinance Factory, which help students secure the best opportunities.
- NIRF Ranking 2024: 1st
- Approved by: University Grants Commission
- Campus Size: 400 acres
- Entrance Accepted: IISER Entrance Exam
- Median Package (UG): INR 22.5 LPA
- Median Package (PG): INR 22.5 LPA
2. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Jawaharlal Nehru University recieved the honour of the “University of Excellence” for exceptional academic performance. Per the QS World University Rankings 2024, this varsity has been ranked among the top 10 government university in India. The institute provides premier quality education through its 14 schools, 50+ learning centres, and 8 special centres. Students can opt for around 100+ courses at the UG, PG, and doctoral levels at affordable fees (INR 16,000 for 2 years).
- NIRF Ranking 2024: 2nd
- Approved by: University Grants Commission
- Campus Size: 1000 acres
- Entrance Accepted: CUET
- Median Salary (UG): INR 6 LPA
- Median Salary (PG): INR 7.9 LPA
3. Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi
Standing at #3 among the top 10 government university in India, Jamia Millia Islamia is a central university located in Delhi and was established in 1920 by An Act of the Parliament of India. The varsity offers 41 degree programs and 294 courses across various disciplines, including engineering, management, science, law, and medicine. All its courses have been duly approved and accredited by UGC, AICTE, BCI, and the Council of Architecture.
- NIRF Ranking 2024: 3rd
- Approved By: AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), NCTE and NBA (National Board of Accreditation)
- Campus Size: 239 acres
- Entrance Accepted: JMI Entrance Exam
- Median Salary (UG): INR 4.80 LPA
- Median Salary (PG): INR 8.66 LPA
4. Jadavpur University, Kolkata
Accredited by NAAC and NBA, Jadavpur University was established in 1955. This is one of the best government university in India dedicated to imparting quality education in 130+ courses across 36 departments at UG, PG, and PhD levels. Besides providing a full-time academic program, it also has facilities for distance learning. JD Birla Institute and the Institute of Business Management are two of its prominent affiliated colleges.
- NIRF Ranking 2024: 9th
- Approved By: National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
- Campus Size: 56 acre
- Entrance Accepted: GPAT, WB JECA
- Median Salary (UG): INR 5.70 LPA
- Median Salary (PG): INR 8 LPA
5. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Formerly named Central Hindu College, Banaras Hindu University is perhaps the oldest university in India that has gained recognition from UGC and NAAC. Per data, the varsity is regarded as the largest residential university in Asia. To offer better opportunities and exposure to students, this reputed university has signed MOUs with over 40 international and national universities. Find further details about BHU, featured in the list of the top 10 government university in India.
- NIRF Ranking 2024: 5th
- Approved by: UGC
- Campus Size: 1300 acres
- Entrance Accepted: CUET
- Median Salary (UG): INR 8 LPA
- Median Salary (PG): INR 13 LPA
6. AMU Aligarh - Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
Founded in 1877 by the great visionary and social reformer, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, it is one of the best government university in India, offering top-notch programmes in Agricultural Sciences, Arts, Commerce, Engineering & Technology, Law etc., each comprising several Departments of Studies. The AMU administers seven colleges, namely, Women's College, Zakir Hussain College of Engineering & Technology, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Ziauddin Ahmad Dental College, Community College, and Academic Staff College.- NIRF Ranking 2024: 8th
- Approved By: NAAC
- Campus Size: 467.6 hectares
- Entrance Accepted: CUET, AMU Entrance Exam
- Median Salary (UG): INR 3.5 LPA
- Median Salary (PG): INR 5.6 LPA
7. University of Hyderabad
Recognised by UGC and accredited by NAAC with a grade of A, this is one of the best government university in India. Globally, the varsity secured 156th position for its academic excellence. It offers multiple academic programs through its 41 departments and 12 schools.
- NIRF Ranking 2024: 10th
- Approved By: UGC
- Campus size: 2,300 acres
- Entrance Accepted: CUET
- Median package (PG-2 years): INR 6.75 LPA
- Median Package (PG-5years): INR 7.30 LPA
8. University of Delhi
This central university is a well-known university that attracts a large number of students to pursue around 2338 courses in streams of allied sciences, arts, social science, IT, computer application, management, and many others. Ranking among the India no 1 government university, UGC has honoured this varsity with the “Institute of Excellence” title. Delhi University is segregated into north and south campuses; there are a total of 91 colleges affiliated with the university. The university offers Bachelor's degree programmes in Geography, Philosophy, Political Science, English & History, etc. and postgraduate programmes in Sociology, Linguistics, East Asian Studies, Psychology, Economics, Sanskrit, etc. The average admission fee at DU stands at INR 42,480.
- NIRF Ranking 2024: 6th
- Approved By: UGC
- Campus Size: 406 acres
- Entrance Accepted: CUET
- Median Package (UG): INR 5 LPA
- Median Package (PG): INR 15.5 LPA
9. Calcutta University - University of Calcutta, Kolkata
Founded in 1857, it is one of the best government university in India offering courses in Agriculture, Arts, Commerce, Social Welfare & Business Management, Education, Journalism & Library Science, and Engineering & Technology. There are 151 affiliated undergraduate colleges and 16 institutes in Kolkata under CU. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has awarded "Five-Star" status to the University of Calcutta. Candidates can apply for undergraduate courses — Arts (BA), Commerce (B.Com.), and Science (BSc) streams (except engineering courses) based on their Higher Secondary School Certificate examination or any equivalent exam results. For seeking admission to engineering courses, the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) rankings will be taken into consideration. The average fee to seek admission to the university is INR 1.02 lakhs.- NIRF Ranking 2024: 23rd
- Approved By: UGC
- Campus Size: 119.7 acres
- Entrance Accepted: WBJEE for UG, the university-level exam for PG
- Median Package (UG): INR 5.40 LPA
- Median Package (PG): INR 9.8 LPA
10. Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai
Established in 2005 under Section 3 of the UGC Act, the primary aim of the institute is to make students proficient in the areas of nuclear science and engineering and to facilitate basic research and enable technology development. Being one of the best government university in India, it offers programmes like PGD in Chemical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, MSc in Engineering Sciences, M Phil in Chemical Sciences, Integrated MSc-PhD (Double Degree) in Engineering Sciences, MSc (Medical and Radiological Physics, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technology, Public Health and Epidemiology, Occupational Therapy in Oncology), etc. The enrollment fee for the MSc and PhD programmes stands at INR 10,000. Its constituent institutes are Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai; Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam; Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore; Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata; Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar; Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, etc.- NIRF Ranking 2024: 27th
- Approved By: UGC
- Campus Size: 260 acres
- Entrance Accepted: GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
- Median Package (UG): INR 6 LPA
- Median Package (PG): INR 11.40 LPA
Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more exciting information!
Get Help From Our Expert Counsellors
FAQs
What are the top 10 public universities in India?
The top 10 public universities in India are as follows: #1 IIT Madras, #2 IIT Bombay, #3 University of Delhi, #4 IIT Kanpur, #5 Dr N T R University of Health Sciences, #6 IIT Delhi, #7 IIT Kharagpur, #8 Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, #9 Savitribai Phule Pune University, and #10 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. This sequence, however, is subject to change from one year to the next.
On which basis is the list of top 10 government university in India formed?
The list of top 10 government university in India is formed based on NIRF ranking, which may fluctuate a bit from one year to the next. The top 100 institutions are listed in the NIRF ranking of the best government university in India. Numerous factors are considered when determining the list of top colleges, such as overall enrolment, strength, projects, research facilities, funding, NAAC certification, placement, etc.
What is the best government university in India to study law?
The best government university in India to study law are as follows: National Law School of India University (Bangalore), National Law University (NLU Delhi), National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR Hyderabad), the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (Faculty of Law), Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (IIT Kharagpur), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (Lucknow), Aligarh Muslim University (Faculty of Law), National Law Institute University (NLIU Bhopal), and Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL Punjab).
What are the top 10 government university in India?
The list of the top 10 government university in India as per NIRF 2024 rankings are as follows: #1 Indian Institute of Science (IISc, Bangalore), #2 Jawaharlal Nehru University, #3 Jamia Milia Islamia, #4 Manipal Academy of Higher Education or MAHE Manipal, #5 Banaras Hindu University, #6 University of Delhi, #7 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, #8 Aligarh Muslim University, #9 Jadavpur University, and #10 Vellore Institute of Technology.
Which is the No 1 government university in India?
The No 1 government university in India is the Indian Institute of Science or IISc Bangalore as per NIRF 2024 rankings for the universities category. It is followed by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia, respectively. Remarkably, the three varsities have held their position and maintained their supremacy from the previous year.