New Delhi:  Gross enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education in India is 24.5%, which is calculated for 18-23 years of age group. This figure is still much lower than the developed countries.  GER for male population stands at 25.4% meanwhile for females, it is 23.5%. Universities are the main destinations of higher education for student community.  Further, Central Universities, established by an Act of the Parliament, play a pioneer role in providing quality and affordable higher education to students.

In India, there are 799 universities as on 31 March 2016. Out of these 799 universities, 46 are Central Universities (CUs), which are set up by the Central Universities Act. These universities are regulated and governed by the Central Universities Act, 2009.

In India, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have the highest number of CUs with five each.  University of Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), IGNOU, and South Asian University are based in Delhi.  In Uttar Pradesh the five central universities are as followed: Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Allahabad University, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University. There are central universities in all of the states of India except Goa and Andhra Pradesh. Of the union territories, there are central universities in Delhi and Puducherry.

Out of these, six universities such as Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur; Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi; Indian Maritime University, Chennai;  Nalanda University, Rajgir, Dt. Nalanda, Bihar; Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University, Fursatganj, Dt. Raebareili, Uttar Pradesh;   South Asian University, New Delhi are not funded by UGC as these are directly funded by Government of India.

List of Central Universities as on 15.01.2016 (Source the University Grants Commission)

ARUNACHAL PRADESH

1. Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar – 791111

ASSAM

2. Assam University, PO Assam University, Silchar -788 011
3. Tezpur University, Dt. Sonitpur, PB No. 72, Tezpur.- 784 028

BIHAR

4. Central University of South Bihar, BIT Campus – Patna, PO BV College, Patna – 800014
5. Mahatma Gandhi Central University, BIT Campus – Patna, PO BV College, Patna – 800014
6. Nalanda University, Rajgir, Dt. Nalanda, Bihar. (established under Central Act)

CHHATTISGARH

7. Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Main Campus, Koni, Bilaspur – 495009

(Converted State University to Central University)

GUJARAT

8. Central University of Gujarat, Sector-30, Gandhinagar – 382030, Gujarat

HARAYANA

9. Central University of Haryana, Jant-Pali Village, Mahendragarh – 123029, Haryana

HIMACHAL PRADESH

10. Central University of Himachal Pradesh, PB No. 21, Dharamshala, Dist Kangra – 176215, Himachal Pradesh.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

11. Central of University of Kashmir, Sonwar, Near GB Pant Hospital, Srinagar – 190 005
12. Central University of Jammu, 8/8, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu – 180012

JHARKHAND

13. Central University of Jharkhand, Ratu Lohardaga Road, Brambe, Ranchi – 835205, Jharkhand

KARNATKA

14. Central University of Karnataka, Kadaganchi, Aland Road, Aland Taluk, Gulbarga – 585311, Karnataka.

KERALA

15. Central University of Kerala, BKM Towers, Nayanmar Moola, Vidyanagar PO Kasargod – 671123, Kerala

MADHYA PRADESH

16. Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar-470 003 (Converted from State University to Central University)
17. The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Makal Sadan, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh

MAHARASHTRA

18. Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalay, Post Box No. 16, Panchtila, Umri Village, Arvi Road, Wardha – 442 001

MANIPUR

19. Central Agricultural University, Imphal-795 004
20. Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal-795 003

MEGHALAYA

21. North Eastern Hill University, NEHU Campus, Shilong-793 022

MIZORAM

22. Mizoram University, Post Box No. 910, Aizawal-796 012

NAGALAND

23. Nagaland University, Kohima, Nagaland-797 001

ODISHA

24. Central University of Orissa, Central Silk Board Building, Landiguda, Koraput- 764020, Odisha

PUNJAB

25. Central University of Punjab, Mansa Road, Bathinda – 151001

RAJASTHAN

26. Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandar Sindri, Distt – Ajmer – 305801

SIKKIM

27. Sikkim University, 6th Mile, Samdur, PO Tadong – 737130, Gangtok

TAMILNADU

28. Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur Road, Thiruvarur – 610001, Tamil Nadu
29. Indian Maritime University, Chennai – 600 119

TELANGANA

30. Hyderabad University, Hyderabad-500 046
31. Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Gachibowli, Hyderabad-500032
32. The English and Foreign Languages University, Osmania University Campus, Hyderabad-500 007

TRIPURA

33. Tripura University, Suryamanianagar, Agartala-799 130

UTTAR PRADESH

34. Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002
35. University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211 002
36. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareilly Road, Lucknow-226 025
37. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005
38. Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University, Fursatganj, Dt. Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh

UTTRAKHAND

39. Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar-246 174 (Converted from State University to Central University)

WEST BENGAL

40. Vishwa Bharati, Shantiniketan-731 235

NCT OF DELHI

41. Delhi University, Delhi-110 007
42. Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi-110 068
43. Jamia Mallia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110 025
44. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110 067
45. South Asian University, CRS Language Lab Building, Old School of Physical Sciences JNU Campus, New Delhi – 110 067 (established under Central Act)

PONDICHERRY

46. Pondicherry University, R. Venkataraman Nagar, Kalapet, Pondicherry-605 014