List of State Universities in India 2025: UGC Approved & State-Wise Details

State Universities in India are publicly funded institutions that are established and governed by the state governments of the respective states and Union Territories. They are usually formed by acts of their respective state legislative assemblies. The University Grants Commission (UGC) oversees these institutions and ensures they are functioning according to the national standards and disburses money where necessary. In addition to the UGC, there are fifteen professional councils responsible for regulating and coordinating the different academic and professional disciplines. 

The UGC maintains and periodically updates an official register of the state universities. Some of the oldest ones are the University of Calcutta, the University of Madras, and the University of Mumbai, which were all established in the year 1857. Under section 12(B) of the UGC Act, certain state universities are eligible to receive central assistance. 

In the present article, we are going to discuss the list of state universities in India, their nature, the distribution among states, and the benefits they offer to students. Before going into these details, it is essential to first understand what higher education is and why state universities form a critical component of the Indian educational environment.

What is Higher Education?

Higher education is structured learning that occurs after secondary school or high school education, and usually occurs in institutions such as colleges and universities. It involves the teaching of programs that result in the awarding of academic degrees, certificates, or diplomas, and is also known as tertiary or post-secondary education. This level of education provides specialised knowledge, promotes critical thinking, and prepares one for further professional work.

What is a State University?

A state university is a public university that is established or set up by a State Act (or in some cases Provincial Act) is known as a state university. 

• In simple words, it is a university set up by a state or territory of the country. Each state or territory has its own number of universities. Overall, there are 441 state universities across the nation today. 
• The oldest establishment date recorded by the UGC is 1857, shared by the University of Madras, the University of Calcutta, and the University of Mumbai. The responsibility of the state does not conclude with the setting up of a state university. 
• It also has to guarantee that good grants and funds are delivered to the universities it sets up. Funds can come in the form of plan or non-plan grants. The grants confirm the universities' stay operational at the highest level and also support their maintenance.

Read More: Types of Universities in India

How Many State Universities Currently Operate Across India and Their Connection with the UGC?

Even though the state establishes a state university, it is mandated to coordinate with the guidelines set by the UGC. 

The UGC, excluding the special cases, does not deliver grants to state universities. This was determined as per Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, which noted that state universities founded beyond June 17, 1972, were not qualified for acquiring grants from the UGC, the central government, or any other association that was being financed by the Indian Government. 

Such a university will be capable of accepting grants only if the UGC is satisfied that, given the standards applied and the processes being obeyed, the university falls under the exceptional type and is ‘fit to receive grants.’ The most recent list, issued by the UGC on 22 November 2021, records 259 universities as fit to receive Central/UGC allowance.

Who are the universities to whom UGC does not deliver funds? These universities contain only medical and agricultural universities. A few state universities that deliver specialized programs in a precise stream and also include cross-stream divisions under them do receive an allowance from the UGC in the form of exceptional grants.

Total Number of State Universities in India (State-Wise)

Each State of India has a total of state universities in its respective constituent state, excluding Mizoram and Nagaland. The state of West Bengal has the largest number of such institutions, with a total of thirty-eight universities. With regards to the union territories, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Puducherry all have state universities.

List of State Universities in India

In the given list below, the phrase Section 12 (B) refers to being declared fit to receive a Central/UGC grant under Section 12 (B) of the UGC Act, 1956. Let’s get into the list of state universities across India with their state and exact location:

Are State Universities a Good Option for Students?

State universities are surely a good bet for students. In India, in fact, parents often look forward to bringing their infant into a state university, although a deemed or private university with adequate allowance may be just a block away from their residences. The causes for this type of preference are manifold.

• The first and most significant cause is that they are state universities. To many, it is an automatic confirmation of many things. A state university will never be lacking of allowances because the stand is on the state to deliver for their maintenance and supervision. That is a considerable benefit for many: no one likes to take the risk of placing their child in a university where there is no assurance of continuity.
• Secondly, there is the question of prestige. Some of the oldest higher studies organizations in India, like the University of Mumbai, the University of Calcutta, and the University of Madras, are state universities.
• The third reason is, of course, understanding. Many families have family members, relatives, or acquaintances who examined and passed out of a state university. That provides the university with an atmosphere of positivity and an automatic dose of goodwill. For many, it is a case of continuity and a necessity for the student to experience the university they went to.

Conclusion

State universities in India form the backbone of higher education and offer quality education and opportunities to millions of students across India. With 460 state universities across the country, these institutions provide financial stability with government support and are held to the standards set by the country, as defined by the University Grants Commission (UGC).  

Due to the long history of state Universities dating back to 185,7, as well as strong academic and affordable accessibility, they are an exemplary choice for students. These universities not only teach specialized knowledge, but also foster thinking and prepare their students for successful professional careers.  

Their widespread distribution throughout states is essential to provide education within states, which ensures education equity and accessibility for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

About the Author

I am Pragya Gupta, an academic writer who is interested in coming up with interesting, informative, and SEO-friendly learning materials. My area of expertise is in writing blogs, articles, coursework, and web copy that can make the complex aspects of academic matters easier to understand by students and educators. I am engaged in writing about my work to assist learners in making informed decisions about their careers and education by writing about it in clear, simple language that can be easily understood. I am an enthusiast when it comes to the integration of creativity and clarity in my content, so I would like to create something that educates, inspires, and is high on search engines. I am persuaded in creating articles that are not only informative but also create a lasting impression to those who are interested in learning, growth and academic excellence.

FAQs

Ques. How many State universities are there in India?  

Ans. There are currently 460 universities organized by UGC that are operating in India as of 2024, comprising 31 states and 5 union territories. West Bengal has the most universities operating in India, with 38 universities.

Ques. In which state is there the greatest number of state Universities?  

Ans. West Bengal has the highest number of state universities, with 38, followed by Karnataka with 43 total universities and Uttar Pradesh with 42 universities of all categories together.

Ques. What is Section 12 (B) of the UGC Act?

Ans. Section 12(B) sets out the criteria for state universities that existed before the date of inception of 17th June, that is, 1972, to be eligible to receive central government and UGC grants for their operation and development.

Ques. Are the state universities recognised by the UGC?  

Ans. Yes. All state universities are required to comply with UGC guidelines and standards. 279 universities have been declared "fit to receive" Central/UGC grants under Section 12(B).

Ques. What are the three oldest universities in the state of India?  

Ans. The University of Calcutta, the University of Madras, and the University of Mumbai, all founded in 1857, are the three oldest state universities in the country.

Ques. Do state universities offer quality of education as private institutions?  

Ans. Yes. State universities uphold high academic standards thanks to UGC oversight and government accountability, and provide quality education that may often be significantly lower than that provided by private institutions.

Ques. How are the state universities funded?  

Ans. State universities have a steady flow of funds through plan grants and non-plan grants distributed by their individual state Governments so that the institutions can function smoothly and build infrastructure.

Ques. Which state universities are regulated by professional councils?  

Ans. Fifteen professional councils regulate and coordinate various academic and professional disciplines, maintaining quality standards in specialised programmes in state universities.

Ques. Are students from other states allowed to enrol in state universities?  

Ans. Yes. State universities admit students from all over India and from some countries, but may have state-specific reservations or quotas, subject to government policies and regulations.

Ques: What subjects and programmes are offered by the state universities?  

Ans. State universities include various fields of study such as arts, sciences, commerce, engineering, medical, agricultural, law, and specialised professional courses, depending on the established mandate of the university and facilities available.