If you are asking how many central universities are in India, the answer is 56 on the University Grants Commission’s consolidated list, with a 57th, Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana, created by a 2023 amendment to the Central Universities Act. The count matters for students because central universities admit students from across the country, usually through CUET, and generally charge lower fees than private universities.
This guide by CRECSO is written for Class 12 students preparing for CUET, parents helping with university choices, and graduates looking at master’s and PhD options. Below, you will find the full state wise list, why different websites quote different numbers, which central universities work under ministries other than Education, and how to verify any university’s status before you apply. We also look at how a new central university is created, using the most recent addition as an example.
How Many Central Universities Are in India Right Now?
The UGC’s published list of central universities contains 56 names. These range from large, long established institutions such as Banaras Hindu University and the University of Delhi to newer ones created under the Central Universities Act, 2009, such as the Central University of Odisha and the Central University of Tamil Nadu.
In December 2023, Parliament passed the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The Lok Sabha passed it on 7 December and the Rajya Sabha on 13 December 2023. This law established Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu, Telangana. Because the UGC’s consolidated PDF list shows 56 names, some sources still say 56 while others say 57. Both figures come from real documents. The difference is only about whether the newest university is included.
The most reliable way to confirm the current figure is the official UGC list of central universities. If you see numbers like 54 or 55 on older websites, they are usually outdated counts from before universities such as Sindhu Central University in Ladakh or Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya were added.
Why Do Different Sources Show Different Numbers?
Students often get confused because coaching sites, news reports and admission portals quote different totals. There are three common reasons.
- Timing: A list published in 2021 will not include universities created in 2022 or 2023.
- Different lists for different purposes: The number of universities taking part in CUET is not the same as the number of central universities. CUET UG also includes many state, deemed and private universities.
- Confusion with other central institutions: IITs, NITs, IIMs and AIIMS are centrally funded, but most are Institutes of National Importance created under separate laws. They are not counted as central universities.
A central university is defined by being set up under a central Act of Parliament and appearing on the UGC’s central universities list. Being funded by the Centre alone does not make an institution a central university.
State Wise List of Central Universities in India
The table below follows the UGC consolidated list of 56 central universities, with the 2023 addition shown separately. Names and locations are as given by UGC.
| State or UT | Count | Central Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 3 | Central University of Andhra Pradesh (Anantapuram); Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh (Vizianagaram); National Sanskrit University (Tirupati) |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 1 | Rajiv Gandhi University (Itanagar) |
| Assam | 2 | Assam University (Silchar); Tezpur University |
| Bihar | 4 | Central University of South Bihar (Gaya); Mahatma Gandhi Central University (Motihari); Nalanda University (Rajgir); Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (Pusa) |
| Chhattisgarh | 1 | Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (Bilaspur) |
| Delhi | 7 | IGNOU; Jamia Millia Islamia; Jawaharlal Nehru University; South Asian University; University of Delhi; Central Sanskrit University; Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University |
| Gujarat | 2 | Central University of Gujarat (Gandhinagar); Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (Vadodara) |
| Haryana | 1 | Central University of Haryana (Mahendergarh) |
| Himachal Pradesh | 1 | Central University of Himachal Pradesh (Dharamshala) |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 2 | Central University of Jammu; Central University of Kashmir (Srinagar) |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Central University of Jharkhand (Ranchi) |
| Karnataka | 1 | Central University of Karnataka (Kalaburagi) |
| Kerala | 1 | Central University of Kerala (Kasaragod) |
| Ladakh | 1 | Sindhu Central University (Leh) |
| Madhya Pradesh | 2 | Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (Sagar); Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (Amarkantak) |
| Maharashtra | 1 | Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya (Wardha) |
| Manipur | 3 | Central Agricultural University (Imphal); Manipur University (Imphal); National Sports University |
| Meghalaya | 1 | North Eastern Hill University (Shillong) |
| Mizoram | 1 | Mizoram University (Aizawl) |
| Nagaland | 1 | Nagaland University |
| Odisha | 1 | Central University of Odisha (Koraput) |
| Puducherry | 1 | Pondicherry University |
| Punjab | 1 | Central University of Punjab (Bathinda) |
| Rajasthan | 1 | Central University of Rajasthan (Ajmer) |
| Sikkim | 1 | Sikkim University (Gangtok) |
| Tamil Nadu | 2 | Central University of Tamil Nadu (Thiruvarur); Indian Maritime University (Chennai) |
| Telangana | 3 (+1) | English and Foreign Languages University; Maulana Azad National Urdu University; University of Hyderabad; plus Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University (Mulugu), created in 2023 |
| Tripura | 1 | Tripura University (Agartala) |
| Uttarakhand | 1 | Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (Srinagar Garhwal) |
| Uttar Pradesh | 6 | Aligarh Muslim University; Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (Lucknow); Banaras Hindu University; University of Allahabad; Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (Raebareli); Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University (Jhansi) |
| West Bengal | 1 | Visva Bharati (Santiniketan) |
What the state wise numbers tell you
Delhi has the most central universities on the UGC list with seven, followed by Uttar Pradesh with six and Bihar with four. Telangana has three on the consolidated list and a fourth through the 2023 amendment. Goa is the only state without a central university on this list.
The North East is well represented, with central universities in every state of the region. For students from these states, a nearby option such as Sikkim University or Tezpur University can mean lower travel and living costs while still offering central university fees and national level recognition.
Types of Central Universities You Should Know About
Central universities are not all the same. Knowing the category helps you understand admission routes and what each institution offers.
General multidisciplinary universities
Universities such as BHU, AMU, the University of Hyderabad, Pondicherry University and the “Central University of [State]” group offer programmes across arts, science, commerce and often professional fields. Most of their undergraduate admissions use CUET UG.
Specialised universities
Some central universities focus on a particular area. Examples include the English and Foreign Languages University for languages, Maulana Azad National Urdu University for Urdu medium education, the three Sanskrit universities, the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, and Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya.
Universities under other ministries
Several central universities are linked to ministries other than Education. Central Agricultural University, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University and Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University are connected with agricultural education. Indian Maritime University relates to shipping, Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University to civil aviation, National Sports University to sports, and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to railways and transport. Their admission rules can differ from typical CUET based admissions, so read each university’s notices.
Open and international universities
IGNOU is a central university that teaches through open and distance learning, with admissions usually held in January and July sessions. South Asian University in Delhi was set up by the SAARC member countries and admits students from across the region through its own process.
Real Example: How a New Central University Is Created
Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University shows how a central university comes into existence. The Union Cabinet approved the proposal in October 2023 with an allocation of ₹889.07 crore. The government then introduced the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 to add the university to the 2009 Act. After both Houses passed the bill in December 2023, the university gained legal status.
According to the government’s press release, the university aims to promote higher education and research among tribal communities, with attention to tribal art, culture and traditional knowledge. The plan mentioned five schools with 11 departments and an initial capacity of 2,790 students across graduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes.
The practical lesson for students is that a newly created central university takes time to build its campus, hire faculty and launch programmes. Before applying to any new central university, check which programmes are actually running for the current academic year, where classes are held and whether hostel facilities are ready.
How to Verify Whether a University Is Central
With so many similar names, verification is worth a few minutes. Follow these steps:
- Open the UGC consolidated list of central universities and search for the exact name.
- Visit the university’s official website and look for the Act of Parliament under which it was set up, usually on the “About” or “Act and Statutes” page.
- Check that the website domain is official, commonly ending in .ac.in or .edu.in.
- Confirm the programme you want is offered for the current year in the admission bulletin.
- Check the UGC list of fake universities before paying any fee to an unfamiliar institution.
Be careful with names. “Central University of Gujarat” is a central university. A private university with “Central” in a brand name is not, unless it appears on the UGC list. Similarly, some state universities have names that sound national, such as Gujarat University, but they are created by state laws. You can compare examples on our pages for the Central University of Gujarat and other universities in the state.
What the Number Means for Your Admission Plans
With only around 56 to 57 central universities for a large number of applicants, popular programmes are highly competitive. In NIRF 2025, five central universities were in the top ten of the university category: JNU (2), Jamia Millia Islamia (4), University of Delhi (5), BHU (6) and AMU (10). Demand for these is especially high.
Keep a balanced plan. Apply to a mix of well known central universities, newer central universities in your region and good state universities that accept CUET scores. A newer central university may offer smaller classes and easier access to faculty, though facilities may still be developing.
Conclusion
India has 56 central universities on the UGC consolidated list, and 57 if you include Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University, created by Parliament in December 2023. Delhi has the most, Goa has none, and every North Eastern state has at least one. Before applying, verify the university on the UGC list, confirm which programmes are running this year and check the admission route. CRECSO prepares these guides so students can plan with accurate information. You can compare central, state and private universities across India on VidyaNirbhar and build a shortlist that fits your course, location and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the most central universities?
Delhi has the most on the UGC consolidated list, with seven: IGNOU, Jamia Millia Islamia, JNU, South Asian University, University of Delhi, Central Sanskrit University and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University. Uttar Pradesh follows with six central universities, including BHU, AMU and the University of Allahabad.
Which is the newest central university in India?
Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu, Telangana, is the most recent addition. It was established through the Central Universities (Amendment) Act after Parliament passed the bill in December 2023. Check its official website for the programmes running in the current academic year before applying.
Is there a central university in every state?
Almost. According to the UGC list, every state except Goa has at least one central university. Union territories such as Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Puducherry also have central universities. Students in Goa usually apply to central universities in neighbouring states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Are IITs and NITs central universities?
No. IITs, NITs, IIMs, IISERs and AIIMS are centrally funded institutions, but most are Institutes of National Importance created under their own Acts. They do not appear on the UGC list of central universities. Their admission routes, such as JEE Advanced, JEE Main or NEET, are also different.
Do all central universities admit students through CUET?
Most central universities use CUET UG for undergraduate admission, but not all programmes do. IGNOU follows its own open admission process, and some professional programmes use national exams like JEE Main, NEET or CLAT. Always check the information bulletin of the specific university for the current year.
Where can I find the official list of central universities?
The University Grants Commission publishes the consolidated list of central universities on its website, ugc.gov.in, arranged state by state. The Ministry of Education's Department of Higher Education also shares information on central universities. Use these official sources instead of relying on older articles.
