List of Deemed Universities Online & Distance Courses 2025
List of Leading Deemed-to-be Universities in India Approved by UGC. Below is a curated list of prominent institutions in India that have been granted the status of deemed-to-be universities by the University Grants Commission (UGC):
What is a Deemed University in India?
A UGC approved deemed universities in India is a higher education institution that has been officially recognized as a university by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. This recognition allows the institution to function like a university, even if it started as a college or research institute.
The Central Government, following the recommendation of the UGC, can declare an institution as a top deemed universities by publishing it in the Official Gazette. Once approved, the institution must follow the rules and regulations applicable to all universities in India.
As of November 30, 2021, India has 126 deemed universities.
In simple words, a college or institute becomes a deemed university when it shows excellent performance in teaching, research, and overall education quality. This recognition highlights that the institution provides top-quality learning opportunities for students.
The Ministry of Education grants this status based on the UGC’s recommendation. Deemed universities enjoy autonomy in designing online and distance education courses, conducting exams, and awarding degrees, which helps them maintain high academic standards.
| State | Institute | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management | Vizianagaram |
| Andhra Pradesh | Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation | Vaddeswaram |
| Andhra Pradesh | Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology & Research | Guntur |
| Andhra Pradesh | Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning | Anantapur |
| Arunachal Pradesh | North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology | Itanagar |
| Bihar | Nava Nalanda Mahavihara | Nalanda |
| Chandigarh | Punjab Engineering College | Chandigarh |
| Delhi | Indian Agricultural Research Institute | New Delhi |
| Delhi | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade | New Delhi |
| Delhi | Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences | New Delhi |
| Delhi | Jamia Hamdard | New Delhi |
| Delhi | National Museum Institute of the History of Art, Conservation and Museology | New Delhi |
| Delhi | National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration | New Delhi |
| Delhi | TERI School of Advanced Studies | New Delhi |
| Gujarat | Gujarat Vidyapith | Ahmedabad |
| Gujarat | Sumandeep Vidyapeeth | Waghodia |
| Haryana | Lingaya's Vidyapeeth | Faridabad |
| Haryana | Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University) | Ambala |
| Haryana | Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies | Faridabad |
| Haryana | National Brain Research Centre | Manesar |
| Haryana | National Dairy Research Institute | Karnal |
| Jharkhand | Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra | Ranchi |
| Karnataka | BLDE (Deemed to be University) | Bijapur |
| Karnataka | Christ (Deemed to be University) | Kalaburagi |
| Karnataka | Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore |
| Karnataka | International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore | Bangalore |
| Karnataka | JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research | Mysore |
| Karnataka | Jain (Deemed to be University) | Bangalore |
| Karnataka | Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research | Bangalore |
| Karnataka | KLE Academy of Higher Education & Research | Belgaum |
| Karnataka | Manipal Academy of Higher Education | Manipal |
| Karnataka | NITTE (Deemed to be University) | Mangalore |
| Karnataka | Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research | Kolar |
| Karnataka | Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education | Tumkur |
| Karnataka | Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana | Bangalore |
| Karnataka | Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) | Mangalore |
| Kerala | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Kerala | Thrissur | Ajmer |
| Madhya Pradesh | Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education | Gwalior |
| Maharashtra | Bharati Vidyapeeth | Pune |
| Maharashtra | Central Institute of Fisheries Education | Mumbai |
| Maharashtra | D. Y. Patil Education Society | Kolhapur |
| Maharashtra | Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences | Wardha |
| Maharashtra | Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute | Pune |
| Maharashtra | Defence Institute of Advanced Technology | Pune |
| Maharashtra | Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth | Pune |
| Maharashtra | Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics | Pune |
| Maharashtra | Homi Bhabha National Institute | Mumbai |
| Maharashtra | Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research | Mumbai |
| Maharashtra | Institute of Chemical Technology | Mumbai |
| Maharashtra | International Institute for Population Sciences | Mumbai |
| Maharashtra | Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences | Satara |
| Maharashtra | MGM Institute of Health Sciences | Navi Mumbai |
| Maharashtra | Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies | Mumbai |
| Maharashtra | Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth | Navi Mumbai |
| Maharashtra | Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences | Ahmednagar |
| Maharashtra | Symbiosis International | Pune |
| Maharashtra | Tata Institute of Fundamental Research | Mumbai |
| Maharashtra | Tata Institute of Social Sciences | Mumbai |
| Maharashtra | Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth | Pune |
| Odisha | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | Bhubaneswar |
| Odisha | Siksha 'O' Anusandhan | Bhubaneswar |
| Puducherry | Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth | Pondicherry |
| Punjab | Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology | Sangrur |
| Punjab | Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | Patiala |
| Rajasthan | Banasthali Vidyapith | Tonk |
| Rajasthan | Birla Institute of Technology and Science | Pilani |
| Rajasthan | IIS (Deemed to be University) | Jaipur |
| Rajasthan | Institute of Advanced Studies in Education | Churu |
| Rajasthan | Jain Vishva Bharati Institute | Ladnun |
| Rajasthan | Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth | Udaipur |
| Rajasthan | LNM Institute of Information Technology | Jaipur |
| Tamil Nadu | Academy of Maritime Education and Training | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore |
| Tamil Nadu | B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai Mathematical Institute | Siruseri |
| Tamil Nadu | Chettinad Academy of Research and Education | Chengalpattu |
| Tamil Nadu | Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Gandhigram Rural Institute | Dindigul |
| Tamil Nadu | Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education | Krishnankoil |
| Tamil Nadu | Karpagam Academy of Higher Education | Coimbatore |
| Tamil Nadu | Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences | Coimbatore |
| Tamil Nadu | Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education | Kumarakovil |
| Tamil Nadu | Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science & Technology | Vallam |
| Tamil Nadu | Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology | Thanjavur |
| Tamil Nadu | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Saveetha Institute of Medical And Technical Sciences | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy | Thanjavur |
| Tamil Nadu | Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya | Kanchipuram |
| Tamil Nadu | Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Kanchipuram |
| Tamil Nadu | St. Peter's Institute of Higher Education and Research | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies | Chennai |
| Tamil Nadu | Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation | Salem |
| Tamil Nadu | Vellore Institute of Technology | Vellore |
| Telangana | ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education | Hyderabad |
| Telangana | International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad | Hyderabad |
| Uttar Pradesh | Bhatkhande Music Institute | Lucknow |
| Uttar Pradesh | Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies | Varanasi |
| Uttar Pradesh | Dayalbagh Educational Institute | Agra |
| Uttar Pradesh | Indian Veterinary Research Institute | Bareilly |
| Uttar Pradesh | Jaypee Institute of Information Technology | Noida |
| Uttar Pradesh | Nehru Gram Bharati | Allahabad |
| Uttar Pradesh | Shobhit Institute of Engineering & Technology | Meerut |
| Uttarakhand | VForest Research Institute | Dehradun |
| Uttarakhand | Graphic Era (Deemed to be University) | Dehradun |
| Uttarakhand | Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya | Haridwar |
| West Bengal | Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute | Belur |
Why Choose a Deemed University?
- Offers high-quality education and research opportunities.
- Flexible in designing courses and curriculum.
- Recognized by the UGC and Ministry of Education.
- Provides degrees equivalent to regular universities.
- Encourages innovation and advanced learning.
Why Choosing a Deemed University Can Be Beneficial for Students
After understanding what a deemed university is, its benefits, and the list of deemed universities in India, the next important question is: Is studying in a deemed university a good option for students?
Contrary to popular belief, deemed universities can be an excellent choice for higher education. In many cases, they offer quality education that can even surpass several state universities.
Many top deemed universities in India provide modern and well-structured courses. Their autonomy allows them to update programs according to the latest trends in science, technology, and industry requirements, ensuring students gain relevant skills for the job market.
In addition, some of the best deemed universities for higher education have advanced infrastructure and specialized facilities, which help students pursue niche areas of study and research effectively.
However, there is a caution. A few deemed universities may misuse their autonomy, creating policies that might not fully prioritize students’ interests. This has sometimes been highlighted in media reports, affecting the reputation of certain institutions.
To choose the right deemed university, students should carefully research and analyze the following factors:
- History and legacy of the university.
- Founders and academic reputation.
- Whether the curriculum is updated and future-ready.
- Industry collaborations and placement opportunities.
- Quality of infrastructure and learning facilities.
By considering these points, students can make an informed decision and select a deemed university that provides quality education and career growth opportunities.