Top 10 Universities in India [2024 Updated List]

India is a country with very rich educational history, and some of the best universities in Asia and the world lie within it. Higher education in India is known for high standards academically, active research environments, and variable specializations. This blog is set to guide you through the top 10 universities in India so you know what sets them apart and the contribution they make to the intellectual landscape of the country.

The criteria of performance in this review are the academic achievements, faculty performance, publications, graduate papers, and reputation.

Top 10 Universities in India

The Indian Institute of Science, IISc

Indian Institute Of Science is one of the top 10 universities in India, and it is well known for academic programs and research activities. The number of students at IISc belongs to both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and the university ranks well at the national level. The impressive statistics of the job placement of  median salary packages ranging from ₹13.5 to ₹30 lakhs across different programs, with 1,793 students and robust research infrastructure, IISc demonstrates exceptional academic prowess. The university manages 1,343 research projects, receives ₹534.77 crores in research funding.

Jawaharlal Nehru University, (JNU)

Jawaharlal Nehru University boasts of strong placement records and is one of the prominent one of top 10 universities in India, offering Graduate programs and postgraduate programs with a diverse student population of 5,199 across undergraduate, postgraduate, and integrated programs. JNU’s median salary packages range from ₹6 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs, with 1,329 students in postgraduate programs pursuing advanced studies. The institution manages 193 sponsored research projects, receiving ₹28.13 crores in research funding, highlighting its commitment to academic and research excellence.

Jamia Millia Islamia, (JMI)

Jamia Millia Islamia is a public central university located in New Delhi. Jamia attracts students from across India and overseas for its UG, PG, and integrated programs. With median salary packages progressively increasing across different programs, ranging from ₹4.5 lakhs to ₹11 lakhs annually. In the 2022-23 academic year, JMI showcased significant achievements, with 893 postgraduate students placed and 437 doctoral students graduating. JMI’s research capabilities are further highlighted by 196 sponsored research projects, securing ₹78.39 crores in research funding, underscoring its commitment to academic excellence and innovation.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education-Manipal, (MAHE)

MAHE has a strength of 22,376 in undergraduate and postgraduate degree levels and is attractive to students locally and internationally. It is claimed to have higher employment rates, with median salaries ranging from ₹300,000 to ₹1,580,000, alongside 385 sponsored research projects in 2022-23. Holding a 3.65 CGPA NAAC accreditation and demonstrating substantial annual capital expenditure, MAHE exemplifies educational excellence and strategic institutional development.

Banaras Hindu University, (BHU)

It’s one of the largest residential universities in Asia. UG, as well as PG, and even integrated programs, draws students from Uttar Pradesh and other states across India. Being one of top 10 universities in India, the placement statistics of BHU are in fact remarkable, more so for its UG which reflected median salaries from Rs 6.5-16 lakh, and PG between Rs 6-9 lakh in the year 2022-23. The strength of BHU, really, is in the sponsored research projects that enable it to receive impressive funding, and this underlines academic excellence—having carried out 823 consultancy projects.

University of Delhi (DU)

The University of Delhi stands among top 10 universities in India, serving over 50,000 students through diverse undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. With impressive professional outcomes, the university boasts undergraduate salary packages averaging ₹5–8.5 lakhs and postgraduate programs reaching up to ₹16 lakhs annually. As a critical research hub, Delhi University supports intellectual advancement through substantial investments in cutting-edge academic infrastructure and maintains a robust doctoral research ecosystem.

Amrita Vishwa Vidyape, (AVV)

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham attracts students from across India and abroad to its diverse programs. The university boasts excellent job placements, with median salaries for UG programs ranging from ₹4.8 to ₹7.24 lakhs and for PG programs up to ₹10.2 lakhs for the academic session 2022-23. This success reflects its commitment to research, substantial funding for sponsored projects, and its strong NAAC accreditation with a CGPA of 3.71.

Aligarh Muslim University, (AMU)

Aligarh Muslim Universityis among top 10 universities in India. This year, the university has seen a rising trend in placements and really brought in good offers. In 2022-23, UG programs recorded median salaries up to ₹8.75 lakh, while PG programs reached ₹14.5 lakh. The university was granted funding of  ₹75.12 crore for sponsored research and ₹2.5 crore for consultancy. NAAC Accredited AMU 3.35 Score for fostering innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, making it a premier institution for higher education and research excellence.

Jadavpur University, (JU)

Jadavpur University is at the heart of students’ aspirations across West Bengal and beyond with its undergraduate, graduate, and integrated programs. The overall record of placements for JU is quite good, with the median salary placements being within a range of ₹5.75 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs for UG programs and ₹8.25 lakhs for PG programs for the academic year 2022-23. This has been possible only because of its unwavering commitment to consultancy work, executive development programs, and fairly comprehensive research support.

Vellore Institute of Technology, (VIT)

VIT is among the leading institutions in the country with over 44,000 students, including those at the UG and PG levels. The institute boasts a placement record of over 85%, with an average salary of about 7 lakhs per annum. VIT also emphasizes research, which is strongly supported by a high rate of capital expenditure. This focus has contributed to the institution’s success in producing a significant number of PhD graduates.

Conclusion

India’s higher education system is of an impressive diversity and a depth of academic quality. Here are the top 10 universities in India, in the blog, which attests to the commitment a country has for the development of robust intellectual growth, research innovation, and social engagement. Be it the legacies of the ages, like at IISc or JNU, or rising reputation such as that of universities like Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and VITU.