India's Largest Universities: The 10 Biggest Schools
The Top Ten
There are roughly 819 universities in India, all of which have numerous affiliated colleges. That number includes central, state, and private universities. This article will list the largest Indian university by student population and by campus size. It will conclude with a brief section discussing the difference between the different kinds of universities.
Universities with Large Student Population
At the top of the list is Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the world's largest university in terms of student population. IGNOU has gone a long way toward fulfilling its goal of providing higher education to everyone. It was founded in 1985 and has risen to tremendous heights in a very short period of time. Dubbed the People's University, IGNOU has courses related to every field in every possible form including face-to-face, online, and distance education. It has the lowest fees of any university in India.
There are three other open universities including Dr. Ambedkar Open University, Yashwantrao Chavan Open University and the MP Bhoj University that make the list.
In second place is the University of Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay University / University of Bombay) which has the second fastest growth in student population after IGNOU. Earlier it was in the seventh place but in less than five years it has moved into the second position. In addition to its distance education program, University of Mumbai has a number of affiliated colleges.
In 2010, The Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU) split, forming the Gautam Buddha Technical University(GBTU) and Mahamaya Technical University (MTU). In this list, both colleges are listed as a single entity until further data is made available.
The list has only one private university: Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) which posted impressive numbers right from its founding in 1995.
Though Banaras Hindu University is the biggest university in terms of the number of students who live on campus, it is not included on this list because its total student population is around 40,000. It does however earn a place on the list of largest universities by campus size.
Note: The numbers given below reflect the number of students taking courses directly from the University, not affiliated colleges.
List of the Biggest Universities in India by Student Population
Rank
| University
| Founded
| State
| Enrollment
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1
| Indira Gandhi National Open University
| 1985
| Delhi
| 4,000,000+
|
2
| University of Mumbai
| 1857
| Maharashtra
| 549,432+
|
3
| University of Pune
| 1948
| Maharashtra
| 500,000+
|
4
| Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University
| 1982
| Telangana
| 450,000+
|
5
| University of Delhi
| 1922
| Delhi
| 400,000+
|
6
| Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University
| 1989
| Maharashtra
| 400,000+
|
7
| Sikkim Manipal University
| 1995
| Sikkim
| 390,000+
|
8
| Osmania University
| 1918
| Telangana
| 300,000+
|
9
| Uttar Pradesh Technical University
| 2000
| Uttar Pradesh
| 150,000+
|
10
| Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University
| 1991
| Madhya Pradesh
| 150,000+
|
Universities with Large Campus Size
None of the universities on the previous list of largest universities by student population makes the cut for the list below of biggest universities by campus area. Strangely some of the universities with the largest campuses have much fewer students than you'd expect.
Some of the best-known universities on the list include Banaras Hindu University (1350 acres), Jawaharlal Nehru University of Delhi (1,000 acres), and the Bangalore University (1,100 acres).
The numero uno position is held by G.B Pant Agricultural University, which also happens to be the first agricultural university of India. Some other agriculture universities are Assam Agricultural University, Rajendra Agricultural University, and Indira Gandhi Agricultural University to name a few. Interestingly, G.B Pant is also the second largest university in the world in terms of total campus area, second only to Sewanee: The University of the South, which has 13,000 acres.
The state of Tamil Nadu is represented by Annamalai University and Tamil University with about 1,000 and 900 acres respectively. Also, there is Mizoram University to represent the northeast of India.
Three universities tie for tenth place: Sri Venkateshwara University, JNU of Delhi, and Annamalai University, all of which have 1,000 acres each.
Lastly, Banasthali university comes at the 16th place with about 850 acres. It is the only women's university on the list.
India's Biggest Universities by Campus Size
Rank
| University
| Founded
| State
| Campus Area (In Acres)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1
| G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
| 1960
| Uttarakhand
| 12,661
|
2
| Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University
| 1970
| Haryana
| 7,219
|
3
| Banaras Hindu University
| 1916
| Uttar Pradesh
| Main campus 1,350, South campus 2700
|
4
| University of Hyderabad
| 1974
| Telangana
| 2,300
|
5
| Osmania University
| 1918
| Telangana
| 1,600
|
6
| Punjab Agricultural University
| 1962
| Punjab
| 1,510
|
7
| 1312.89
| 1946
| Madhya Pradesh
| 1312.89
|
8
| Aligarh Muslim University
| 1920
| Uttar Pradesh
| 1,155
|
9
| Bangalore University
| 1886
| Karnataka
| 1,100
|
10
| North Eastern Hill University
| 1973
| Meghalaya
| 1,025
|
11
| Sri Venkateswara University
| 1954
| Andhra Pradesh
| 1,000
|
11
| Jawaharlal Nehru University
| 1969
| Delhi
| 1,000
|
11
| Annamalai University
| 1929
| Tamil Nadu
| 1,000
|
12
| Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences / Allahabad Agriculture Institute
| 1910
| Uttar Pradesh
| 900
|
13
| Mizoram University
| 2001
| Mizoram
| 978
|
14
| Tamil University
| 1981
| Tamil Nadu
| 900
|
15
| Guru Ghasidas University
| 1983
| Chattisgarh
| 875
|
16
| Shivaji University
| 1962
| Maharashtra
| 853
|
17
| Banasthali Vidyapith
| 1935
| Rajashthan
| 850
|
Different Kinds of Indian Universities
Universities in India are either central, state, private, deemed to be, or governed by an autonomous body. If all are included together there are a total of 785 universities (in 2017) and millions of colleges affiliated to them.
Central Universities
Central Universities are established by an act of Parliament. There are only 47 of these in all of India. Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi have the most with five each, while Telangana comes a close second with three central universities.
The north-eastern state of Assam has two central universities namely the Assam University and the Tezpur University. The rest of the states have at least one central university with the exception of Goa and Andhra Pradesh. After the division of Andhra Pradesh it does not have any central university.
State Universities
State universities are established, maintained, and funded by state governments. They can affiliate with colleges in their jurisdiction.
Deemed Universities
Deemed universities are operated by an autonomous body. This status is granted by the Department of Higher Education in the HRD ministry.
Private Universities
Private university status is also granted by the UGC. Unlike state universities, private universities can't have affiliated colleges. In the future private university will come to the fore and play a major role in providing education. With more and more competition, students will have many options to choose from.
Below is the table summarizing the total number of universities and the number of Indian Institutes of Management, Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology and other Institute of National Importance (INIs).
Indian Universities and Institutions by Category
Universities
| Number of Universities
|
|---|---|
Central Universities
| 47
|
State Universities
| 367
|
Private Universities
| 282
|
Deemed Universities
| 123
|
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
| 20
|
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
| 23
|
National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
| 31
|
Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs)
| 23
|
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
| 10
|
Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER)
| 8
|
India's Largest Universities
I hope this list of our biggest universities gives you information which you can use. It discussed the central, state, and private universities, and listed the largest Indian university by student population and by campus size. Please leave a comment if you have more information about this subject.
Questions & Answers
How is Osmania University for distance education?
It is always better to opt for full-time courses rather than distance education. Having said that, if you don't have that amount of time or don't want to go for full-time studies and continue with studies at the simultaneously with work, the only option is distance education and open universities.
I personally or anyone that I know does not have experience with Osmania University so my opinion is based on what I can on their website and the courses that they offer. Needless to say, if you reside in Hyderabad OU is a very good option. OU offers limited courses whereas I know some other state universities offer a much wide range of programs. So, if you find the course of your choice offered I would advise OU is definitely a good option.
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© 2011 Aarav
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Comments
Manipur University is also one the best University in India. People of India should know it.
LPU is largest, best single private university in india..
Everyone knows that... One of the largest and best university in India is LPU.... proud to be a part lpu
Lpu is the largest private university in india
There are Seven NIPERs, that should be mentioned in the list
- AUTHOR
@Ravindra You are absolutely right. This article is just for information and research purposes.
We should measure all universities by quality and high standards rather then size of a university by area. When I was a student at Delhi University in 1960's, it was the best university in India.
What is campus size of Kalinga University Kiit
Where is CCS University of Meerut??
which is India's largest in-person university by enrolled students(5,60000+)
Data is incorrect.
National Defence Academy (NDA) should be on Rank 2 with 8022 acres of campus area
there cant be any comparison between AMU and BHU. bhu is more and more superior than amu because AMU is based and run on the basis of religion but its not so in bhu.
iit kgp has 2100 acres campus
i think you did very deep research in area covered by the various universities. really this information showing you hard work and deep research in the area really i would like to appreciate you for your hard work. keep it up and update it timely
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BHU is 2700 acres
Amu is the best university in the world
Amu is best university in India
osmania university is in telangana
see the first table
As a forign bonafide fellow in G.B PANT UNIVERSITY.
Its teaching method, calm and peaceful condition and library are most favorable characteristics.
You mentioned IIM, IIT & Where is AIIMS???
G.B.Pant agri & tech university is asia's second largest univ n india's first largest.... It library also among the top 10 libraries....
best
CCS HAU (Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University) has
8645 acers of area occupied !!!
Where is CCS Hisar Agricultural University? It is spread over a hunungous campus of 7219 acres
I mean lpu is the best university
i think LPU is largest university of north india
university is refers to Annamalai university ..is 1500 acres and 4.5 lakhs students studying here...Banaras university is king university of North india....and Annamalai university is King university of south india ...
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lpu is the best university
BHU Only
You done well. You provided wide range of information on Indian universities. Thanks for sharing
Where is IIT-KGP (2100 acres)
hey Shivaji university has 853 acres of campus it should be on 15
bhu is biggest university in Asia
i think bhu is the best
Amu is in second position in higher education.
- AUTHOR
@Pennworks You seem to be in absolute love with BHU. Anyway good info. Thanks for the comment.
Oh please, stop all this bullshit. Your records have not been updated for a billion years. Banaras Hindu University has almost 1400 acres of land for its main campus and a whopping 2760 acres (and counting..) of land for its Rajiv Gandhi South Campus. It has its own Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), its own Institute of Medical Sciences(IMS-BHU), which was lately in rumors to be transformed into an AIIMS, with an hospital serving to over thousands of patients everyday at very affordable cost, almost close to nothing and a recently built Trauma Centre. It has its own Institute of Agricultural Scinces (IAS-BHU) with hundreds of acres land for research purpose, and several other institutes.
With its Sayaji Rao Gaekwad Central Library having a collection of more than half a million books and journals, and a 24 hour operational Cyber Library in the Central Library Campus, with 400 computers for its students. Presently the Banaras Hindu University Library System consists of Central Library at apex and 3 Institute Libraries, 8 Faculty Libraries, 25 Departmental Libraries, with a total collection of over 13 lakh volumes to serve the students, faculty members, researchers, technical staff of fourteen faculties consisting of 126 subject departments of the university. I can not include in this list all that what BHU has for it will be very funny and stupid to do so. Off you go.
may i say that among largest/biggest campus area NEHU should probably stands at no. 7 or 8 because its area is 1025 acres..and when considering the overall area of the whole campus(at a square stretch) i think it stands first in india..NEHU is a central university located in the state of Meghalaya (Shillong),Mawlai
Most people here don't know proper english."deemad","grat","unvercity"
lol
What we've to do with area or number of students in any university. We just need qualitative education which we can get at a single chair too. As per my opinion LPU is best , because I study there...
I think jawaharlal Nehru university. Best in India....
I think salooni university of Karnataka I am best university
HYDERABAD CENTRAL UNIVERSITY IS TOP UNIVERSITY IN INDIA IN TERMS OF ACREAGE!!
I am coming universtyes
I think glocal University is bestvsnd very big in india
Amu is the best university of India
Hahahah frnds lpu just 600 acre 2.4 km sq might not stand in top 20 also
very very best india
Add Your Comment..i think aligarh.
my allahabad university is greatest university of india.many prime minister precident ias pcs alsi belong to our university not in other.now the maker of BHU is also our university student and present time vice chancellor also...understand
Banaras Hindu university this is biggest deemad univercity in india its a grat
university.
Banaras Hindu university this is biggest deemad univercity in india it's a grat
university. Banaras Hindu University
1916
Uttar Pradesh
in 1,350 aria
Banaras Hindu university this is biggest deemad univercity in india it's a grat
university.
What about Dr. Hari singh sagar university which having 830.3 Hector campus then you can calculate
It's wrong because the 2nd largest university of India is Haryana Agriculture University Hisar (Haryana)
India university is best
Lovely professional university one of the bst and largest university in India..
punjab university 600campus
LPU LARGEST UNIVERSITY
Why the list doesn't have .... Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) as per area ... since its having a campus of 1155 acres ?
India grat univercity is allahabad agriculture univercity this is biggest deemad univercity in india its a grat univercityunivercity
Sampriti Singha Roy
Hyderabad Central University has the largest campus in India. 2,300 acres (9,300,000 m2). What is wrong with this website?! -_-
i think mumbai university is best..
Manipal University is a Deemed University. And it is famous also. Just wonder why it has not been listed?
top 10 iit universty
in india lpu stands first in area
i think india first largest university is LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY and best also
Whatever happened to HCU? It's over 2300 acres!
i think indian best un osmania un............i like it.
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