List of Deemed Universities in India 2026: UGC Approved Universities, Fees & Courses

The List of Deemed Universities in India includes prominent names like IISc Bangalore, BITS Pilani, Symbiosis International University, etc. These universities provide a wide range of courses and many specialisation options. They have yearly tuition fees ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹25 lakh or higher. Admissions to these universities can be gained through national entrance exams like NEET, JEE, CUET, etc. Apart from that, they conduct institutional entrance exams like BITSAT, VITEEE, etc.

All institutions for higher studies in India come under the purview of the university. There are 4 major types of universities in India:

• Central universities
• State universities
• Private universities
• Deemed universities

There are various aspects to all these 4 kinds of universities. In this blog, we will understand what a deemed university is and a list of all deemed universities in India.

What is a Deemed University?

A Deemed University is an academic institution that is “Deemed to be a University” awarded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 3 of the UGC Act of 1956.

This Act defines “The Central Government may, on the guidance of the Commission, declare, by notice in the Official Gazette, that any organization for higher schooling, shall be deemed to be University for the objectives of this Act, and on such a statement being made, all the requirements of this Act shall apply to such institution as if it were a University within the definition of clause (f) of section 2.”

As of 30 November 2021, the UGC records 126 universities that were awarded the deemed university status.

In easy terms, an educational institution can earn the status of “deemed to be a university” when it functions better on specific elements like Research, Publications, and many more. Such an institution is granted the status of a deemed university because of the superior quality of education and learning it delivers to its students.

The position of the deemed university is given to an institution of higher education or a group of institutions by the Ministry of Human Resource Development on a recommendation delivered by the UGC.

Advantages Available to a Deemed University

Deemed fee universities are not set by the Government, and therefore, they have much more independence than the Central or State universities. Here are a few benefits that are applicable solely to deemed universities:

• They have the power to hold their own exams, set admission rules, plan their own syllabus/curriculum, etc.
• Moreover, deemed universities are allowed to grant their own diplomas/degrees.
• Deemed universities can also fix their own fee structure for their programs rather than following the structure or direction issued by the Government.

List of Top Deemed Universities in India Recognised by UGC 2026

The table below shows a list of the top UGC-recognised deemed universities in India, along with their popular courses and yearly tuition fees.

List of Deemed Universities in India Under De-Novo Category 2026

Below is the list of institutes that were granted the deemed to be university status under the "de-novo" category, which specialises in a special and emerging area of learning:

Are Deemed Universities a Better Option for a Student?

We have discussed so many things that we could discuss a deemed university- what it exactly means, what the advantages are of becoming a deemed university, list of all the deemed universities in India. Yet, the main question from a student’s point of view is whether pursuing study in a deemed university is a good idea.

Contrary to popular opinion, universities are deemed to be very promising educational choices for students. They have, in many concerns, the potential to be even finer than the multiple state universities in each state.

Many of these deemed universities have amazing courseware for their students. This is achievable because of the liberation they enjoy in creating programs, assuming changes in science, technology, and changing needs for skills in the employment market.

A number of these deemed universities likewise come with hi-tech study facilities which enable aspiring students to continue to pursue specialisation options in niche regions.

Of course, there is an opposite side to all this as well. There are some deemed universities that may take benefit from the freedom offered, where the policies and procedures set by these universities may not adequately represent the interests of the students.

There has been plenty of buzz in the media in recent times about this, and the outcome has affected all of the universities being looked at negatively. It is important for you to perform an analysis and seek guidance while deciding to select from the deemed universities.

A Few of the key concerns you need to pay attention to while picking deemed universities for higher studies are: history, founders, if the syllabus offered is recent and future-proof, industry affiliations, infrastructure available, etc.

Read More: List of all Top Colleges

List of Deemed Universities in India 2026: FAQs

Ques: Is a deemed university better than a private one?

Ans: Both deemed and private universities are recognised by the University Grants Commission. The only difference is that deemed universities are autonomous, and private universities usually have to follow UGC rules and regulations. Deemed universities, therefore, have higher autonomy and stature than private colleges. You can find a wide range of courses in both deemed universities and private institutions. Thus, you can choose between them based on the course you want to study and the best options available for it. 

Ques: Which is the cheapest deemed university for MBBS in India?

Ans: Among the deemed universities in India, the ones with the lowest MBBS study costs include Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences, KMC Manipal, Symbiosis Medical College for Women, and Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College. At these colleges, you can study MBBS at a tuition fee of ₹10 lakhs to ₹18 lakhs per year. Apart from affordable tuition fees, you can also find various scholarships based on merit or financial needs. 

Ques: Which is the oldest Deemed University in India?

Ans: Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore is the oldest deemed university in India, and received this status in 1958. It is also one of the most prominent universities in India, offering courses in Science, Engineering, Management, and Design. You can gain admission to this university through the national entrance exams like JEE Main, GATE, etc. The annual tuition fee at IISc Bangalore ranges from ₹25,000 to ₹2,00,000 across the various available courses. 

Ques: Are there separate entrance exams for deemed universities in India?

Ans: While there are separate entrance exams for many deemed universities in India. However, these universities also usually accept the national-level entrance exams for admission. For instance, you can choose between BITSAT or the JEE exams for B.Tech admissions at BITS Pilani. Hence, you must check and fulfil the admission requirements regarding entrance exams properly while applying to the university. 

Ques: What are the benefits of deemed universities?

Ans: Since deemed universities are autonomous, they have high academic autonomy, have the opportunity to introduce industry-relevant curricula, and make changes in syllabus quickly based on the current needs. These aspects are usually absent in the case of other universities. Hence, this factor can allow deemed universities to introduce the latest required skills and knowledge in their programs. This can be one of the most significant advantages of deemed universities. 

Ques: Which state has the most deemed universities?

Ans: Tamil Nadu has 28 deemed universities, which is the highest number of deemed universities in an Indian state. Thus, you can find the widest range of options in Tamil Nadu than in other states while looking for deemed universities. Tamil Nadu has some of the most reputed deemed universities like Vellore Institute of Technology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham,  Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, etc. These institutions offer a wide range of courses like Engineering, Design, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dental Sciences, etc. 

Ques: Are deemed universities public or private?

Ans: The deemed universities available in India can be private or government-funded. You can find both of these types of deemed universities across different states in the country. The tuition fee can be one of the most noticeable differences between private and government-funded deemed universities in India. Moreover, both types of deemed universities offer a wide range of courses to interested students. 

Ques: How to choose the best deemed university in India?

Ans: You must consider the ranking and reputation of the deemed university you apply to for determining its education quality, infrastructure, etc. You must also make sure that the deemed university you choose is recognised by UGC. Apart from that, you must also check the study costs for the options that you consider. After all, the study costs at deemed universities are typically higher than those at other government universities. 

Ques: What are the courses available at deemed universities in India?

Ans: A wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses across a wide range of streams. This includes all major streams like Medical, Engineering, Nursing, Pharmacy, Design, and Arts. Moreover, there are institutions focusing on specialisations like Food Technology, Footwear Design, Educational Planning, etc. These courses accept candidates based on various institutional and national exams like BITSAT, VITEEE, JEE, and NEET. 

Ques: What is the admission process for deemed universities in India?

Ans: The admission process for a deemed university depends on the specific institution you apply to. Usually, you must fill out an online or offline application form. In most cases, you are also required to clear an entrance exam conducted at the national level or institutional level. The counselling process will depend on the specific entrance exam through which you gain admission. Usually, deemed universities that conduct institutional entrance exams also accept national-level entrance exams like JEE, NEET, CUET, and their respective counselling processes.