Central University List India 2026: All 56 Central Universities State-Wise
Complete list of all 56 Central Universities in India 2026 – state-wise, with location, courses, CUET acceptance, fees, and admission details. Ideal for UG and PG aspirants.
India has 56 Central Universities established by Acts of Parliament and funded by the Ministry of Education (or other central ministries). These universities are regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and offer some of the most affordable, high-quality education in the country.
Most Central Universities now use CUET UG / CUET PG scores for admissions. This guide gives you the complete state-wise list, key facts, popular courses, and admission routes.
🔑 Key Facts About Central Universities
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Central Universities | 56 (as per UGC 2026) |
| Established by | Acts of Parliament |
| Regulated by | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Primary Admission Route | CUET UG / CUET PG |
| Fee Range | ₹5,000 – ₹1,20,000/year (much lower than private universities) |
| Popular Courses | BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, LLB, M.A., MBA, M.Sc, LLM, PhD |
📍 State-Wise List of All Central Universities in India 2026
🏛️ Delhi (7 Central Universities)
Delhi has the highest concentration of Central Universities in the country.
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| University of Delhi | DU | New Delhi |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | JNU | New Delhi |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | JMI | New Delhi |
| Indira Gandhi National Open University | IGNOU | New Delhi |
| Central Sanskrit University | CSU | New Delhi |
| Shyama Prasad Mukherji National Institute of Water Sports University | SLBSNSU | New Delhi |
| South Asian University | SAU | New Delhi |
🏛️ Uttar Pradesh (6 Central Universities)
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Aligarh Muslim University | AMU | Aligarh |
| Banaras Hindu University | BHU | Varanasi |
| University of Allahabad | AU | Prayagraj |
| Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University | BBAU | Lucknow |
| Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University | RGNAU | Raebareli |
| Ram Lal Anand College of Agriculture University | RLBCAU | Jhansi |
🏛️ Bihar (4 Central Universities)
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Mahatma Gandhi Central University | MGCU | Motihari |
| Central University of South Bihar | CUSB | Gaya |
| Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University | RPCAU | Samastipur |
| Nalanda University | NU | Rajgir |
🏛️ Telangana (4 Central Universities)
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| University of Hyderabad | UoH | Hyderabad |
| English and Foreign Languages University | EFLU | Hyderabad |
| Maulana Azad National Urdu University | MANUU | Hyderabad |
| Samskrit Sahitya Samstha Central Tribal University | SSCTU | Mulugu |
🏛️ Andhra Pradesh (3 Central Universities)
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Central University of Andhra Pradesh | CUAP | Anantapuram |
| Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh | CTUAP | Vizianagaram |
| National Sanskrit University | NSU | Tirupati |
🏛️ Manipur (3 Central Universities)
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Central Agricultural University | CAU | Imphal |
| Manipur University | MU | Imphal |
| National Sports University | NSU_M | Imphal |
🏛️ Assam (2 Central Universities)
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Assam University | AUS | Silchar |
| Tezpur University | TU | Tezpur |
🏛️ Gujarat (2 Central Universities)
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Central University of Gujarat | CUG | Gandhinagar |
| Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya | GSV | Vadodara |
🏛️ Jammu & Kashmir (2 Central Universities)
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Central University of Jammu | CUJ | Jammu |
| Central University of Kashmir | CUK | Ganderbal |
🏛️ Madhya Pradesh (2 Central Universities)
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya | MGAHV | Wardha |
| Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya | DHSGU | Sagar |
🏛️ Tamil Nadu (2 Central Universities)
| University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Central University of Tamil Nadu | CUTN | Tiruvarur |
| Indian Maritime University | IMU | Chennai |
🏛️ Single Central University States/UTs
| State/UT | University | Abbreviation | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | Rajiv Gandhi University | RGU | Itanagar |
| Chhattisgarh | Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya | GGV | Bilaspur |
| Jharkhand | Central University of Jharkhand | CUJh | Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Central University of Karnataka | CUKa | Kalaburagi |
| Kerala | Central University of Kerala | CUKe | Kasaragod |
| Ladakh | Sindhu Central University | SCU | Khalatse |
| Maharashtra | Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya | MGAHV | Wardha |
| Meghalaya | North-Eastern Hill University | NEHU | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Mizoram University | MZU | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Nagaland University | NagU | Lumami |
| Odisha | Central University of Odisha | CUO | Koraput |
| Puducherry | Pondicherry University | PU | Puducherry |
| Punjab | Central University of Punjab | CUP | Bathinda |
| Rajasthan | Central University of Rajasthan | CURAJ | Ajmer |
| Sikkim | Sikkim University | SU | Gangtok |
| Tripura | Tripura University | TrU | Agartala |
| Uttarakhand | HNB Garhwal University | HNBGU | Srinagar, Garhwal |
| West Bengal | Visva-Bharati University | VBU | Shantiniketan |
🎓 Popular Courses Offered at Central Universities
Central Universities are multi-disciplinary institutions. Here are the most sought-after courses:
Undergraduate Programs (via CUET UG)
- B.A. (Hons) – English, History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Sociology
- B.Sc (Hons) – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotechnology, Computer Science
- B.Com (Hons) – Commerce, Accounting & Finance
- BBA – Business Administration
- B.Tech – Engineering disciplines (at BHU, AMU, NIT-linked universities)
- LLB (5-Year) – Law (at BHU, AMU, JMI)
- B.Ed / ITEP – Teacher education (via NCET/ITEP 2026)
Postgraduate Programs (via CUET PG)
- M.A. – Humanities and Social Sciences
- M.Sc – Sciences and Applied Sciences
- MBA – 7 Central Universities offer MBA (via CAT / CUET PG)
- LLM – Law
- M.Tech – Engineering
- MCA – Computer Applications
Research Programs
- Ph.D. – All disciplines via UGC-NET/JRF (57 Central Universities offer PhD)
📋 Admission Routes at Central Universities 2026
| Entrance Exam | Universities Accepting | Key Programs |
|---|---|---|
| CUET UG | 51 Universities | BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, LLB (5-yr) |
| CUET PG | 50 Universities | MA, M.Sc, M.Com, LLM, MCA |
| CAT | 3 Universities | MBA |
| GATE | 5 Universities | M.Tech |
| JEE Main | 4 Universities | B.Tech |
| CLAT | 3 Universities | LLB |
| NEET UG | 2 Universities | MBBS / Medical |
| ICAR AIEEA | 3 Universities | Agricultural Sciences |
| UGC-NET/JRF | 57 Universities | Ph.D. |
| NCET / ITEP | 17 Universities | B.Ed / Integrated Teacher Program |
| AMU-AT | AMU only | All AMU programs |
💰 Fee Structure at Central Universities
One of the biggest advantages of Central Universities over private colleges is their heavily subsidised fee structure:
| Program | Approximate Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| B.A. / B.Sc / B.Com | ₹5,000 – ₹25,000/year |
| B.Tech (BHU, AMU) | ₹30,000 – ₹80,000/year |
| LLB | ₹10,000 – ₹40,000/year |
| M.A. / M.Sc | ₹8,000 – ₹30,000/year |
| MBA | ₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000/year |
| Ph.D. | ₹5,000 – ₹25,000/year |
Tip: Fee waivers and scholarships (like PM-YASASVI, NSP, PMS-SC/ST) are widely available at Central Universities.
🏆 Top Central Universities in India 2026 (by Ranking)
| Rank (Approx.) | University | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Institute of Science (IISc)* | Bangalore |
| 2 | Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | New Delhi |
| 3 | University of Delhi (DU) | New Delhi |
| 4 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi |
| 5 | Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Aligarh |
| 6 | University of Hyderabad (UoH) | Hyderabad |
| 7 | Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) | New Delhi |
| 8 | Tezpur University (TU) | Assam |
| 9 | Visva-Bharati University (VBU) | West Bengal |
| 10 | Pondicherry University (PU) | Puducherry |
*IISc is technically a deemed-to-be university under MHRD but treated as a central institution.
✅ Benefits of Studying at a Central University
- Low Fees – Compared to private universities, fees are 5–10x lower.
- Diverse Courses – Wide range from Arts to Engineering to Agriculture.
- Government Jobs Priority – Many PSUs and government departments prefer Central University graduates.
- Research & Scholarships – JRF, SRF, CSIR, DBT, ICSSR fellowships are abundant.
- Hostel Facilities – Subsidised hostel accommodation on campus.
- National Recognition – Degrees carry high credibility across India and globally.
🗓️ CUET 2026 Key Dates
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| CUET UG 2026 Exam | Expected: May–June 2026 |
| CUET PG 2026 Exam | Conducted: March 2026 |
| CUET PG 2026 Result | Check: cuet-pg-2026-result-declared-check-scorecard-link |
| Official Portal | exams.nta.ac.in |
🤔 FAQs About Central Universities
Q. How many Central Universities are there in India in 2026? There are 56 Central Universities in India as per UGC records for 2026.
Q. Which state has the most Central Universities? Delhi has the maximum – 7 Central Universities.
Q. Do all Central Universities accept CUET? 51 out of 56 Central Universities accept CUET UG scores. A few have their own entrance tests (like AMU-AT).
Q. What is the cheapest Central University in India? Most Central Universities are very affordable. CUSB (Bihar), CUO (Odisha), CURAJ (Rajasthan) have some of the lowest fees – as low as ₹5,000–₹10,000 per year.
Q. Can I do MBA from a Central University? Yes! 7 Central Universities offer MBA: BHU, AMU, JMI, DU (FMS), UoH, BBAU, Pondicherry University. Admission is via CAT or CUET PG.
Q. Is IGNOU a Central University? Yes, IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) is a Central University offering distance and online education.
📞 Need Admission Guidance?
If you're planning to apply to a Central University through CUET 2026 and need personalized counseling – from college selection to application strategy – we can help!
👉 Book a Free 1:1 Counselling Session with Mohit Jain
👉 CUET UG 2026 Score Calculator – Check Your Percentile
👉 CUET PG 2026 Result – Check Your Score Now
👉 Top MBA Colleges via CUET PG
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