List of India’s Leading Central Universities
Higher education is one of the crucial areas of any society. It is one of the biggest factors of determining the progress and prosperity of any country. So understanding the needs of collegiate and university level education is very important matter of any government, particularly those of non-developed countries. Then only a qualitative higher educational system can be developed. India as a emerging nation in the present world arena, it has to do lot of things in its primary as well as higher education systems. Now India passed over 65 years of independence, since then its leaders focused on the importance of higher education. But, still India has only very few world class educational institutions. It includes some of the public universities, Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs), National Institute of Technologies (NITs), Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) and IIITs etc. Here this hub is specifically about 15 leading Indian universities. Each of them is listed below.
1. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi
Jawaharlal Nehru University popularly known as JNU is one of the most popular universities not only in India, but also outside the country. JNU was established in 1969. The university is located at New Delhi, the capital city of India. It is a natural atmosphere spreading around 4 kilo miters. JNU is the university providing highest residential facilities within the campus itself. That is why JNU have many international level academic collaborations, students and faculties. The university is better known for research activities in various disciplines such as arts, social sciences, humanities and other natural sciences. It has a library with nine storied building. It’s School of Social Science, School of International Studies, School of Language Literature and Cultural Studies, School of Biotechnology are the high rated faculties of the university. The university also focuses on the public policy making and social researches. The university accommodates more than 7000 students. Higher education with potential quality at low cost is the unique feature of JNU. It has many students’ associations including International Students Association. The university is the ground of social and political activism. The university is regularly witnessing cultural, activities, debates, seminars and symposium etc. It had produced many great personalities across the globe including diplomats, politicians, thinkers, writers and many others.
2. Delhi University, Delhi
Delhi University also known as ‘DU’ is another world class university in the capital city of India. It was established before the independence of the country in 1922. The university is a group of colleges around Delhi. The founding colleges of the university were three colleges namely St. Stephens College, Hindu College and Ramjas College. Now around 80 colleges are affiliated to the University of Delhi and more than 35000 students are doing various courses at various levels. The university has renowned academic facilities in arts, science, humanities and social sciences. The distinguished feature of Delhi University is that, its colleges are rated with highest ranking in the country. Many of its faculties ranked better in the world rankings such as Faculty of English Language and Literature. The Delhi School of Economics is the most renowned faculty offering courses in Economics from graduation to research levels. It Economics may come first in Asia. It alumni includes Nobel laureates like Amartya Sen (Nobel Prize in Economics, 1998) and Anny San Suu Ky (Nobel for Peace), journalists, politicians, diplomats, think tanks and many others. The university is also providing better library facilities in its various colleges.
3. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Delhi
Jamia Millia Islamia is another leading central university of India. The university also located in the capital city of the country. It was established in 1920 by a group of nationalist leaders. Initially the academic center was at Aligarh and later it shifted to Delhi. Then the university became a deemed university and finally became a central university by an Act of Parliament of India. Presently it has more than 15000 students doing graduation, Masters’ and research level degrees. The university is better for quality of education. It has a well equipped library. It provides various courses ranging from applied sciences, engineering, law, social sciences, arts and languages etc. The Mass Communication and Journalism department of the university ranked first many times. The university has produced large number of distinguished personalities including actors, sports persons, diplomats, thinkers, journalists and many others. Quality of education is the special attraction of Jamia Millia Islamia. It will be a better place for the intellectual growth of learners.
4. Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh
Aligarh Muslim University is one of the oldest central universities of India. It was established in 1875 by Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan named as Muhammeden Anglo Oriental College. Its name changed in to Aligarh Muslim University in 1920. Is is one of the largest residential universities of India. Now more than 30000 students are doing various courses. The campus spread over 1155 areas of land. Initially it was affiliated to Calcutta University, then to Allahabad University. The university is ranked upfront in national as well as international level rankings. The Maulana Azad Library of the university is the largest library in the country and second largest in the Asian continent. The university provides courses in various fields including arts, science, languages, social sciences, law, and medicine and engineering and so on. Similar to Jawaharlal Nehru University, the accommodation and cost of living in the university is attractive particularly those who are coming from backward areas. It provides residential facilities with lower cost. The Women’s College is another feature of Aligarh Muslim University. The university has much international collaboration.
5. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
Banaras Hindu University is one of the oldest central universities of India. The university was established in 1916. It is also one of the largest residential universities in the world. It has two campuses and spread over acres of land. The university providing undergraduate, post graduate and research level courses in various fields including arts, Ayurveda and medicine, commerce and management, education, law, social sciences and other material sciences. The university is an upfront university in the country in terms of ranking by various agencies. A distinguished feature of Banaras Hindu University is the presence of Banaras Hindu University Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). The presence of IIT within the university ensures the quality of engineering and technology compared to other universities. The alumni of the university include various intellectuals, teachers, thinkers, writers, diplomats and many others. The accommodating capacity of BHU itself is the best proof of the quality of infrastructure in the university.
6. Hyderabad Central University (HCU), Hyderabad
Hyderabad Central University is also popular as University of Hyderabad is a leading central university in the southern part of India located in Hyderabad. The university was established in 1974. In the last few years, the performance of the university is fantastic. Its campus spread over 2300 acres of land. Low cost of study with better quality is the attraction of the university. The university has a special focus in research and innovation in various fields including arts, humanities and science fields. Its science faculties are excellent. The university is also providing attractive facilities for studying mass communication and journalism and applied sciences. The university is offering Integrated Masters’ programs of five years in various disciplines. It has a good library named Indira Gandhi Memorial Library. Its infrastructure and accommodating facilities are excellent. Majority of the students from HCU are working in the service sector such as teaching, diplomacy, politics and many more.
7. Pondicherry University, Pondicherry
Pondicherry University is another central university in the southern part of India. It was established in 1985 by an Act of Indian parliament. Its campuses are located in various places. The central campus of the university is spread around 780 acres of land. More than 25000 students are doing various courses in Pondicherry University in regular as well as distance mode of learning. The university’s quality is improving year by year. It has a well equipped library. Good infrastructure within the campus in another special feature of the university. The university is offering various courses in arts, social sciences, applied sciences, commerce and management. The university has a good Mass Communication department. Pondicherry University has all the possibilities to become an upfront university in the country. The university is also accommodating international students particularly from SAARC region.