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
- Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Itanagar – 791111
ASSAM
- Assam University, PO Assam University, Silchar -788 011
- Tezpur University, Dt. Sonitpur, PB No. 72, Tezpur.- 784 028
BIHAR
- Central University of South Bihar, BIT Campus – Patna, PO BV College, Patna – 800014
- Mahatma Gandhi Central University, BIT Campus – Patna, PO BV College, Patna – 800014
- Nalanda University, Rajgir, Dt. Nalanda, Bihar. (established under Central Act)
CHHATTISGARH
- Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Main Campus, Koni, Bilaspur – 495009
(Converted State University to Central University)
GUJARAT
- Central University of Gujarat, Sector-30, Gandhinagar – 382030, Gujarat
HARAYANA
- Central University of Haryana, Jant-Pali Village, Mahendragarh – 123029, Haryana
HIMACHAL PRADESH
- Central University of Himachal Pradesh, PB No. 21, Dharamshala, Dist Kangra – 176215, Himachal Pradesh.
JAMMU & KASHMIR
- Central of University of Kashmir, Sonwar, Near GB Pant Hospital, Srinagar – 190 005
- Central University of Jammu, 8/8, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu – 180012
JHARKHAND
- Central University of Jharkhand, Ratu Lohardaga Road, Brambe, Ranchi – 835205, Jharkhand
KARNATKA
- Central University of Karnataka, Kadaganchi, Aland Road, Aland Taluk, Gulbarga – 585311, Karnataka.
KERALA
- Central University of Kerala, BKM Towers, Nayanmar Moola, Vidyanagar PO Kasargod – 671123, Kerala
MADHYA PRADESH
- Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar-470 003 (Converted from State University to Central University)
- The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Makal Sadan, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh
MAHARASHTRA
- Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalay, Post Box No. 16, Panchtila, Umri Village, Arvi Road, Wardha – 442 001
MANIPUR
- Central Agricultural University, Imphal-795 004
- Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal-795 003
MEGHALAYA
- North Eastern Hill University, NEHU Campus, Shilong-793 022
MIZORAM
- Mizoram University, Post Box No. 910, Aizawal-796 012
NAGALAND
- Nagaland University, Kohima, Nagaland-797 001
ODISHA
- Central University of Orissa, Central Silk Board Building, Landiguda, Koraput- 764020, Odisha
PUNJAB
- Central University of Punjab, Mansa Road, Bathinda – 151001
RAJASTHAN
- Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandar Sindri, Distt – Ajmer – 305801
SIKKIM
- Sikkim University, 6th Mile, Samdur, PO Tadong – 737130, Gangtok
TAMILNADU
- Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur Road, Thiruvarur – 610001, Tamil Nadu
- Indian Maritime University, Chennai – 600 119
TELANGANA
- Hyderabad University, Hyderabad-500 046
- Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Gachibowli, Hyderabad-500032
- The English and Foreign Languages University, Osmania University Campus, Hyderabad-500 007
TRIPURA
- Tripura University, Suryamanianagar, Agartala-799 130
UTTAR PRADESH
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002
- University of Allahabad, Allahabad-211 002
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareilly Road, Lucknow-226 025
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005
- Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University, Fursatganj, Dt. Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh
UTTRAKHAND
- Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar-246 174 (Converted from State University to Central University)
WEST BENGAL
- Vishwa Bharati, Shantiniketan-731 235
NCT OF DELHI
- Delhi University, Delhi-110 007
- Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi-110 068
- Jamia Mallia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110 025
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110 067
- South Asian University, CRS Language Lab Building, Old School of Physical Sciences JNU Campus, New Delhi – 110 067 (established under Central Act)
PONDICHERRY
- Pondicherry University, R. Venkataraman Nagar, Kalapet, Pondicherry-605 014