A Guide to Different University Types in India

There are four university types in India that operate & recognized as entitled by the Ministry of Education through the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The choice of the university a student studies in impacts their educational experience. All recognized and entitled universities have the authority to award degrees that are valid and recognized across the country and around the world.

The Indian Higher Education framework is three-tiered, encompassing Universities, Colleges, and Courses. These entities operate collaboratively with regulatory and accreditation bodies to uphold standardized education delivery.

Types Of Universities in India:

Universities are categorized based on their management structure.

1. Deemed Universities – Recognized for their excellence, these institutions were originally high-performing institutes granted university status by the central government on the recommendation of the UGC
2. Private Universities – Diverse in nature, these institutions are established by state governments and encompass both specialized and multidisciplinary research universities.
3. State Universities – Each state government establishes and oversees its own universities, providing primary funding and guidance.
4. Central Universities – Established by the national government, these institutions receive direct funding and operate under national regulations.

For a student aspiring to pursue a online degree in education, they must also consider the various academic degree types offered by these institutions.

Deemed-to-be University

Deemed-to-be Universities are generally privately funded by Educational Trusts /Societies, though some are funded by UGC /Central Government.

They hold a unique status, enjoying autonomy in their academic and administrative operations.

The “deemed-to-be university” status is conferred by the University Grants Commission (UGC) based on an institution’s proven excellence in education and research. This recognition empowers deemed universities to design their own courses, set academic standards, and confer degrees.

Admission Criteria

Deemed universities have different admission processes, including entrance exams, aptitude tests, and interviews. The admission procedures for different types of programs in the university help comprehensively assess students’ abilities.

For example, to take admission in a degree program in Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, students have to qualify their entrance test BITSAT.

Research and Innovation Focus

Deemed universities in India focus on research and innovation, house advanced facilities, centres of excellence, and esteemed faculty members contributing to global knowledge.

List of Deemed-to-be universities: Visit here

Private University

Private universities in India are self-financing institutions that are funded and managed privately by their sponsoring body.

Degree Awarding and Infrastructure

These universities are competent to award degrees as specified by UGC under Section 22 of the UGC Act with the approval of the statutory councils, wherever required through their main campus.

Wherever the approval of the statutory council is not a prerequisite to start a programme, the universities are required to maintain the minimum standards regarding academic and physical infrastructure as laid down by the concerned statutory council.

Autonomy and Funding Model

Unlike public universities, private universities are not funded by the government; instead, they operate on a ‘self-financing’ model. This means that the financial responsibilities for their functioning and development fall on the sponsoring body, which could be a trust, society, or corporate entity.

The funding and management of these universities are entirely private, providing them with autonomy in decision-making and resource allocation.

Legislative Framework and Specialization

Most states in India have their own Regulation on the process of setting up and governing a Private university. Each Private university is a separate Act and is passed by both houses of the State Legislature.
List of Private Universities: Visit here

University Type	Admission Process	Notable Institutions
Central University	National-level entrance tests	Jawaharlal Nehru university, Delhi; Banaras Hindu university, Uttar Pradesh
State University	State-level entrance exams	University of Mumbai, Maharashtra; Bangalore university, Karnataka
Deemed-to-be University	Institute-specific entrance exams	DY Patil Deemed University, Maharashtra; Datta Meghe Institute, Maharashtra
Private University	Institute-specific entrance exams	Amity university, Uttar Pradesh; Manipal University, Rajasthan

State University

A State University is set up by a State Government, through the State Legislature. It is also funded and governed by the State Government.

Examples of state universities in India include institutions like Delhi university, Mumbai university, and Bangalore university, each associated with and serving the educational needs of their respective states.

Admission Criteria

For admission in undergraduate programmes, students must clear 10+2, while postgraduates need a bachelor’s university degree.

Some universities use entrance exams or consider national exams like JEE for engineering or NEET for medical courses. Many state universities conduct the Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) for admission to undergraduate engineering and pharmacy courses.

Affordability and Autonomy

State universities are more affordable than private or centrally funded institutions. Each university operates under a distinct Act passed by the State Legislature, granting autonomy for decisions on academic programs and more.

Adaptability

While following state regulations, state university types in India adapt to the changing educational landscape.

For example, the University of Mumbai offers a Master’s program in Comparative Education (CEM), focusing on global education systems for enhanced understanding and improved practices.

List of State universities: Visit here

Central University

A central university is established by the Central Government through an Act of Parliament. It is both funded and governed by the Central Government.

Central universities establish themselves with the aim of providing education and conducting research on a national scale.

Admission Criteria

Admissions characterise central universities by standardised entrance tests conducted at the national level. These tests, such as the Central universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET), serve as a common platform for evaluating students from diverse regions based on uniform criteria.

Research and Innovation

Some Central universities lead in research and innovation, host advanced facilities, centres of excellence, and esteemed faculty members contributing to global knowledge.

For instance, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is renowned for its research in social sciences, humanities, and languages, boasting interdisciplinary centres like the Centre for Historical Studies and Centre for Political Studies.

Funding

Substantial government funding empowers central universities to maintain top-notch infrastructure, recruit quality faculty, and drive research initiatives.

List of Central universities: Visit here