· Reviewed by the CareerReform counselling team
Central universities in India: quick comparison table
India has 53 UGC-recognised central universities. Below is a comparison of the top-ranked ones by NIRF 2025 score, verified course strengths, and admission routes. For the full searchable directory of all 53 universities, see the interactive index above.
| NIRF 2025 Rank | University | Location | Established | Entrance | Known for | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #2 | Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | New Delhi | 1969 | CUET UG / PG | School of International Studies | Apply |
| #4 | Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) | New Delhi | 1920 | CUET + JMIEEE for select courses | AJK Mass Communication Research Centre | Apply |
| #5 | University of Delhi (DU) | New Delhi | 1922 | CUET UG (CSAS portal) | B.Com (Hons) — SRCC, Hindu, Hansraj | Apply |
| #6 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi, UP | 1916 | CUET UG (UET portal) | Faculty of Management Studies (FMS-BHU) | Apply |
| #10 | Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Aligarh, UP | 1920 | CUET + AMU entrance for select courses | Faculty of Engineering & Technology | Apply |
| #18 | University of Hyderabad (UoH) | Hyderabad, TS | 1974 | CUET UG / PG | School of Physics | Apply |
Frequently asked questions
Which is the top-ranked central university in India according to NIRF 2025?
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is ranked 2nd nationally in the NIRF 2025 University category, making it the highest-ranked central university in India, followed by Jamia Millia Islamia (4th), University of Delhi (5th), and Banaras Hindu University (6th).
Is CUET compulsory for admission to central universities in India?
Yes. CUET UG is mandatory for undergraduate admission to nearly all central universities in India since 2022, including Delhi University, JNU, BHU, AMU, and Jamia Millia Islamia. A few specialised or creative courses may require an additional university-specific test or interview alongside CUET.
How many central universities are there in India?
There are 53 UGC-recognised central universities in India as of 2026, established under Acts of Parliament and funded by the Government of India through the Ministry of Education.
Is Delhi University or BHU better for commerce?
Delhi University's SRCC and Hindu College are generally considered India's most competitive destinations for B.Com (Hons) and Economics (Hons), with strong finance and consulting placements. BHU's Faculty of Management Studies (FMS-BHU) is well regarded for MBA rather than undergraduate commerce specifically.
Is JNU good for placements?
JNU is not a traditional corporate-placement campus. It is instead one of India's strongest feeders into UPSC civil services, academia, research, and policy roles, particularly through its School of International Studies.