Top 10 Universities in India 2026 | NIRF Rankings & CGPA Cutoffs

If you are a student in India, chances are you have heard these names — IISc, JNU, Jadavpur, BITS. But which university actually ranks #1 in India? And more importantly, do you have the CGPA to get in?

Every year, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) — run by India's Ministry of Education — ranks the best universities and colleges across India. This guide covers the top 10 universities in India for 2026, what makes each one special, and what CGPA you need to get admitted.

Top 10 Universities in India — NIRF Rankings 2026

Here is the complete list of the best universities in India for 2026:

Rank	University	City	State	Type
1	Indian Institute of Science (IISc)	Bengaluru	Karnataka	Central (Deemed)
2	Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)	New Delhi	Delhi	Central
3	Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)	Manipal	Karnataka	Private
4	Jamia Millia Islamia	New Delhi	Delhi	Central
5	University of Delhi (DU)	New Delhi	Delhi	Central
6	Banaras Hindu University (BHU)	Varanasi	Uttar Pradesh	Central
7	BITS Pilani	Pilani	Rajasthan	Private
8	Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham	Coimbatore	Tamil Nadu	Private
9	Jadavpur University	Kolkata	West Bengal	State Government
10	Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)	Aligarh	Uttar Pradesh	Central

Now let us look at each university in detail.

1. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru — Rank #1

IISc is the gold standard of university education in India. If you are serious about research — whether in engineering, biology, physics, or data science — IISc is where you want to be.

Founded in 1909, IISc is not just a top college in India — it regularly features in global university rankings too. It offers Bachelor of Science (BS), M.Tech, MBA, and PhD programs. The campus in Bengaluru is beautiful and the faculty includes some of India's best researchers.

What CGPA do you need? For M.Tech at IISc, you need a valid GATE score and a minimum of 60% in graduation (6.75 CGPA for MAKAUT students).

2. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi — Rank #2

JNU is India's best university if you want to study social sciences, international relations, languages, or political science. It is also one of the most affordable universities in the country — heavily subsidised by the government.

Getting into JNU is tough. Admissions happen through CUET PG, and the competition is intense. But if you get in, the academic experience is genuinely world-class.

Minimum eligibility: 55% in graduation (around 6.25 CGPA for MAKAUT/WBUT students).

3. Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal — Rank #3

MAHE is the best private university in India according to NIRF 2026. It is especially popular for medical, engineering, and management programs. Students from across 57 countries study here — which gives it a genuinely international feel.

MAHE is not cheap, but the infrastructure, industry connections, and placement record make it worth considering if you can afford it.

4. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi — Rank #4

Jamia is a central university with a strong reputation in engineering, architecture, law, and mass communication. It was founded during India's independence movement in 1920 and carries a rich academic legacy.

As a central university, Jamia offers quality education at very low fees compared to private colleges. Admissions are through CUET or Jamia's own entrance tests.

5. University of Delhi (DU), New Delhi — Rank #5

DU does not need much introduction. With colleges like SRCC, Miranda House, St. Stephen's, LSR, and Hindu College — it is home to some of the most sought-after undergraduate programs in India.

DU uses a CGPA system where 1 CGPA = 9.5%. If you are from another university and applying to DU for PG programs, make sure to convert your percentage correctly using your own university's formula — not DU's formula.

👉 Check your percentage for DU admission here

6. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi — Rank #6

BHU is one of Asia's largest residential universities. The 1,300-acre campus in Varanasi is stunning. It has excellent engineering (IIT-BHU), medical (IMS-BHU), and arts programs all under one roof.

BHU is a great choice if you want the complete university experience — good academics, affordable fees, and a vibrant campus life. Admissions for most programs are through CUET.

7. BITS Pilani — Rank #7

Among engineering students, BITS Pilani needs no introduction. It is the top private engineering college in India — and unlike IITs, it has its own entrance exam called BITSAT.

BITS graduates are in huge demand at top tech companies globally. The Practice School program — where students intern at companies like Google, Microsoft, and Qualcomm — is one of the best industry exposure programs in the country.

Note for students: BITS uses its own internal CGPA system. If you are transferring credits or applying for higher studies, check with the target institution about the exact conversion.

8. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore — Rank #8

Amrita has quietly become one of the best universities in India, rising fast in the NIRF rankings year after year. It has campuses across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

It is particularly strong in engineering and technology, with solid research output and good placement records. A good option if you are from South India and looking for a top private university.

9. Jadavpur University, Kolkata — Rank #9

Jadavpur University is the only state government university in this top 10 list — and that makes it special. It proves that you do not need to be a central or private institution to be one of the best colleges in India.

JU is West Bengal's most prestigious university. Its engineering and technology programs are excellent, and it produces some of the finest graduates in the country. Fees are very low compared to private universities.

If you are a MAKAUT/WBUT student considering PG at Jadavpur University, you typically need 55-60% marks — which means a CGPA of 6.25 to 6.75 using the official MAKAUT formula.

👉 Check Jadavpur University CGPA to Percentage

10. Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh — Rank #10

AMU is one of India's oldest universities, founded in 1875. It has strong programs in engineering, medicine, law, and arts. With a large residential campus and a rich history, AMU attracts students from across India and abroad.

Admissions are through AMU's own entrance examinations. Minimum eligibility is generally 50% in the qualifying exam.

👉 Check AMU CGPA to Percentage

Which States Have the Most Top Universities?

State	Universities in Top 10	Names
Delhi	3	JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, University of Delhi
Karnataka	2	IISc, MAHE
Uttar Pradesh	2	BHU, AMU
Rajasthan	1	BITS Pilani
Tamil Nadu	1	Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
West Bengal	1	Jadavpur University

What CGPA Do You Need for These Top Universities?

This is the most practical part. Before applying, check whether your graduation percentage meets the minimum requirement.

University	Min %	MAKAUT CGPA Needed	CBSE/DU CGPA Needed
IISc (M.Tech/PhD)	60%	6.75 CGPA	6.32 CGPA
JNU (MA/MSc)	55%	6.25 CGPA	5.79 CGPA
Jadavpur University	55–60%	6.25–6.75 CGPA	5.79–6.32 CGPA
Delhi University (PG)	50–60%	5.75–6.75 CGPA	5.26–6.32 CGPA
BHU (PG programs)	50%	5.75 CGPA	5.26 CGPA
AMU (PG programs)	50%	5.75 CGPA	5.26 CGPA

⚠️ One important thing: Always convert your CGPA using your own university's official formula — not the target university's formula. Getting this wrong is a common mistake that can hurt your application.

Not sure which formula to use? Our calculator automatically picks the right formula based on your university:

👉 Free CGPA to Percentage Calculator — 130+ Indian Universities

Final Thoughts

India has some genuinely world-class universities — and you do not always need to spend a fortune to study at one. IISc, JNU, Jadavpur, and BHU are all government-funded with relatively low fees, yet they rank among the best universities in India.

The key is knowing your target, checking your eligibility early, and making sure your CGPA is converted correctly before you apply.

Good luck with your admissions! 🎓

Related Articles:

📊 MAKAUT CGPA to Percentage Calculator

📊 Delhi University CGPA to Percentage

📊 Jadavpur University CGPA to Percentage

📊 AMU CGPA to Percentage Calculator