One of the largest democracies in the world and renowned for its cultural diversity, India is home to well-known academic institutions that are notable for offering quality education programmes across varied fields of study. The current education system in India has come a long way since the ancient learning system which was actually rooted in the Vedas. The modernised educational apparatus of the country now follows a grading system that gradually replaced the percentage system. Through this blog, we aim to bring you a comprehensive list of top universities in India as well as a streamwise list of institutions that you can explore to find the best university for your chosen programme.

Best Universities in India

Here is a list of top universities in India as ranked by the National Institute of Ranking Framework (NIRF) for the year 2020:

Top Universities in India	NIRF 2020 Rankings
Indian Institute of Science	1
Jawaharlal Nehru University	2
Banaras Hindu University	3
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham	4
Jadavpur University	5
University of Hyderabad	6
Calcutta University	7
Manipal Academy of Higher Education	8
Savitribai Phule Pune University	9
Jamia Millia Islamia	10
University of Delhi	11
Anna University	12
Bharathiar University	13
Homi Bhabha National Institute	14
Birla Institute of Technology & Science	15

As the aforementioned ones are for the overall rankings of top universities in India, glance through the next sections which enlist the major academic institutions in the country for different streams of study.

Also Read: Study In India

Top 10 Public Universities in India

Here are the top public universities that can apply for in India:

University	Ranking 2020
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore	1
Jawaharlal Nehru University	2
Banaras Hindu University	3
Jadavpur University	4
University of Hyderabad	5
Calcutta University	6
Savitribai Phule Pune University	7
Jamia Millia Islamia	8
University of Delhi	9
Anna University	10

Top 10 Private Universities in India

Here are the top private universities that you can apply in India:

University	Ranking 2020
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham	1
Manipal Academy of Higher Education	2
Birla Institute of Technology & Science	3
Vellore Institute of Technology	4
Siksha `O` Anusandhan	5
Jamia Hamdard	6
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology	7
Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy	8
Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology	9
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research	10

Top 10 Distance Education Universities in India

Here are the top universities in India that provide distance education:

University	NIRF Ranking 2020
Indra Gandhi National Open University	1
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning	2
Sikkim Manipal University	3
IMT Distance and Open Learning Institute	4
Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University	5
Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University	6
Netaji Subhas Open University	7
Maharshi Dayanand University	8
Karnataka State Open University	9
Acharya Nagarjuna University	10

Top Universities in India for Engineering Courses

Engineering one of the most sought-after career options amongst the Indian youth as it is a vast domain filled with a multitude of specialisations. The notable mention amongst the top universities in India for Engineering goes to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) which offer a wide range of bachelor’s and master’s level programmes in different sub-fields such as Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering etc. Here is a list of top 10 Engineering colleges in India which you must consider for pursuing your chosen course in Engineering and Technology:

Institutions	NIRF 2020 Rankings
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras	1
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi	2
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay	3
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur	4
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur	5
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee	6
Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati	7
Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad	8
National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli	9
Indian Institute of Technology Indore	10

Also Read: List of IIITs In India

Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in India

Now that you are familiar with global colleges offering various courses in Aeronautical Engineering, now let us take a look at some of the popular institutions of India. Here are the top Aeronautical Engineering colleges in India: 

Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in India	Location
Indian Institute of Technology [IIT]	Kanpur
Indian Institute of Aeronautical Engineering	Dehradun
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology	Thiruvanthapuram
Punjab Engineering College	Chandigarh
Manipal Institute of Technology	Manipal
Madras Institute of Technology	Chennai
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science	Chennai
School of Aeronautics	Delhi
Kerala University	Thiruvanthapuram

Best College for MBBS in India

Medical Science is another prominent discipline that is frequently opted by Indian students aspiring to take the noble path of a medical practitioner. However, getting admission into the top medical colleges in India is quite a cumbersome process because of the cut-throat competition for the Medical Science courses such as MBBS, BDS, etc. Here are the top universities in India for programmes in Medicine and Surgery:

Institutions	NIRF 2020 Rankings
All India Institute of Medical Sciences	1
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research	2
Christian Medical College	3
National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences	4
Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences	5
Banaras Hindu University	6
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research	7
Kasturba Medical College	8
King George`s Medical University	9
Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences	10

Also Read: Cheapest Medical Colleges in India

Top Private Medical Colleges in India 

India has some of the best private medical schools. Getting into public/ government schools for Medical is very tough due to the cut-throat competition. However, the competition is not less in the private schools either. Let’s check out the top private medical colleges in India:

Ranking	Institute	Score
#1	Christian Medical College	73.56
#2	Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research	64.39
#3	Kasturba Medical College	62.84
#4	Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences	61.58
#5	Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education And Research	57.90
#6	St. John’s Medical College	57.83
#7	Christian Medical College	55.01
#8	JSS Medical College	54.32
#9	Kasturba Medical College, Mangluru	53.83
#10	Jamia Hamdard	52.87

Also Read: MBBS in India

Top 10 Institutes in India for Dentistry

Here are the top 10 institutes in India for the course of Dentistry:

University	NIRF Ranking 2020
Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences	1
Manipal College of Dental Sciences	2
Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth	3
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences	4
A. B. S. M. Institute of Dental Sciences	5
Manipal College of Dental Sciences	6
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education And Research	7
Nair Hospital Dental College	8
SRM Dental College	9
JSS Dental College and Hospital	10

Best Law Colleges in India

When it comes to the best law colleges in India, the most eminent names include the National Law School of India University and the National Law University. In order to establish your career in Law, the two major degrees imparted by the Indian academic institutions are LLB and LLM. Check out the top universities in India which are renowned for their Law programmes.

Institutions	NIRF 2020 Rankings
National Law School of India University	1
National Law University	2
Nalsar University of Law	3
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	4
National Law University	5
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences	6
Gujarat National Law University	7
Symbiosis Law School	8
Jamia Millia Islamia	9
The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law	10

NOTE: The National Law University at the 2nd rank and at the 6th position corresponds to two separate institutions under the same name.

Also Read: Law Courses in India

Best Colleges for Architecture in India

If you are interested in learning the intricacies of how physical structures are designed, then Architecture is the field you need to consider. When it comes to studying Architecture in India, the major degree programmes offered in this field are BArch and MArch. Here are the best architecture colleges in India which are acclaimed for their specialised programmes, state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty as well as immense industrial exposure they offer to budding architects:

Institutions	NIRF 2020 Rankings
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur	1
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee	2
Indian Institute of Technology, Calicut	3
Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University	4
School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi	5
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology	6
School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal	7
National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli	8
School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada	9
Jamia Millia Islamia	10

Best Commerce Colleges In India

The best Commerce institutions in the country are compiled in the list below.  The best four subjects on which cut-offs are based include – One language, 2 elective courses, and one subject. For every college, the cut-off standards differ, and every year cut-offs are changed.

Rank	College Name and Location	Cut-Off for B.Com
1	Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi	97.37% (B.com Hons)
2	Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi	98% (B.Com Hons)
3	Loyola College, Chennai	90-95%
4	Christ University, Bangalore	ISC Board – Boys – 85%, Girls – 88%Other State Boards– Boys- 94.50%; Girls- 96.16%
5	St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai	80%
6	Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai	83%
7	Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, Pune	75%
8	St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bangalore	90%
9	Hans Raj College, New Delhi	88 – 91%
10	Madras Christian College, Chennai	60%

Best Arts Colleges in India

Here are the best arts colleges in India that you must know about: 

1. Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi
2. Loyola College, Chennai
3. Christ University, Bengaluru
4. St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
5. Miranda House, Delhi
6. Hansraj College, Delhi
7. Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi
8. Hindu College, Delhi
9. Ramjas College, Delhi
10. Madras Christian College, Chennai
11. St.Xavier’s College, Kolkata
12. Fergusson College, Pune
13. Presidency College, Kolkata
14. Stella Maris College, Chennai
15. Symbiosis Society’s College, Pune

Best Psychology Colleges in India

Mentioned below is a list of best psychology colleges in India:

• Lady Shri Ram College
• St. Xavier’s College
• Christ University
• Fergusson College
• K. J Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce
• Jai Hind College
• Kamla Nehru College for Women
• Kishinchand Chellaram College
• Indraprastha College for Women
• Mithibai College

Best Economics Colleges in India

Listed below are the top colleges for those who wish to pursue MA Economics in India-

• Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi
• Fergusson College, Pune
• Miranda House, Delhi
• Madras Christian College, Chennai
• Loyola College, Chennai 

Top Universities in India for Management Courses

Management is an extensive stream of study which encompasses varied interdisciplinary specialisations and lucrative career opportunities. BBA, BMS, MBA, PGDM and MIM are the renowned degrees offered with striking specialisations that one can gain expertise in. Following are the top universities of India for Management programmes:

Institutions	NIRF 2020 Rankings
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad	1
Indian Institute of Management, Banglore	2
Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta	3
Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow	4
Indian Institute of Management, Kharagpur	5
Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode	6
Indian Institute of Management, Indore	7
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi	8
Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI)	9
Management Development Institute	10

Top 100 Universities in India

Here are the top 100 universities in India according to NIRF Ranking:

University/ Institutes	Ranking
Indian Institute of Science	1
Jawaharlal Nehru University	2
Banaras Hindu University	3
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham	4
Jadavpur University	5
University of Hyderabad	6
Calcutta University	7
Manipal Academy of Higher Education	8
Savitribai Phule Pune University	9
Jamia Millia Islamia	10
University of Delhi	11
Anna University	12
Bharathiar University	13
Homi Bhabha National Institute	14
Birla Institute of Technology & Science	15
Vellore Institute of Technology	16
Aligarh Muslim University	17
Institute of Chemical Technology	18
Andhra University	19
Siksha `O` Anusandhan	20
Jamia Hamdard	21
University of Madras	22
Kerala University	23
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology	24
Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy	25
Panjab University	26
Mysore University	27
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education And Research	28
Osmania University	29
Mahatma Gandhi University	30
Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology	31
King George`s Medical University	32
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research	33
Tata Institute of Social Sciences	34
S. R. M. Institute of Science and Technology	35
Alagappa University	36
Amity University Noida	37
Sri Venkateswara University	38
Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology	39
Tezpur University	39
Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation University	41
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences	42
Symbiosis International	43
Gujarat University	44
Delhi Technological University	45
Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth	46
Gauhati University	47
University of Kashmir	48
North Eastern Hill University	49
Visva Bharati	50
Guru Nanak Dev University	51
University of Jammu	52
Bharathidasan University	53
Calicut University	54
Banasthali Vidyapith	55
Shiv Nadar University	56
SVKM`s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies	57
Pondicherry University	58
Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research	59
Madurai Kamaraj University	60
Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences	61
Cochin University of Science and Technology	62
Bharati Vidyapeeth	63
Punjabi University	64
Mumbai University	65
Birla Institute of Technology	66
Mizoram University	67
Bangalore University	68
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University	69
KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research	70
Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management	71
Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Higher Education	72
Kuvempu University	73
NITTE	74
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning	75
Maharshi Dayanand University	76
Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth	77
Lovely Professional University	78
International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad	78
Visvesvaraya Technological University	80
Goa University	81
Dayalbagh Educational Institute	82
Periyar University	83
Dibrugarh University	84
Jain University	85
Yenepoya University	86
Central University of Punjab	87
Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth Mahatma Gandhi Medical College Campus	88
Kalyani University	89
Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences	90
The Gandhigram Rural Institute	91
The University of Burdwan	92
Maharishi Markandeshwar	93
Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology	94
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University	95
Utkal University	96
Graphic Era University	97
Chettinad Academy of Research and Education	98
Kurukshetra University	99
Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology & Research	100

Thus, we hope that this blog on top universities in India helped you explore the best academic institutions in your field of interest. Apprehensive about choosing the right course and university to actualise your career aspirations? Sign up for an e-meeting with our Leverage Edu experts and we will guide in selecting the best programme and university that aligns with your interests, preferences and aspirations and equips you with the necessary knowledge and exposure to build a successful career in your chosen field of interest.