Update on 2024-04-15

Top 15 Oldest University in India

Top 15 Oldest University in India | Course, Fees & Placement Records

With the sneaking heights of modernization, young age generation is mostly appealed towards modern education and the advanced infrastructure. This is the reason why western educational institutes are gaining popularity among a wide range of students. But, do you have information about some greatest University in India with the longest history and tradition? Probably, no. Amazingly, some of the top 15 Oldest University in India have lasted their strong impressions nearly two centuries back. Addressing the spirit of such magnificent universities, this article is just a small effort to list some of the Oldest University in India though it doesn't hold any information about Nalanda University which is one of the top 15 Oldest University in India but unfortunately not in operation in current times.

Given below is an outlook to the Oldest University in India which are still offering higher education in different parts of the country.

List of Top 15 Oldest University in India

The criteria used for compiling the below list was to select institutions which started its operation as universities or were came to be recognized as university later in the years. Some exceptions include the institutes which laid its foundation earlier but only recently were granted university status.

1) Senate of Serampore College (University) in West Bengal -

Foundational Year: 1818, University Status granted in 1829 (200 years old)

Objective: Wise will possess the glory

Description: Serampore institute is the first and oldest institute of India to achieve the university status. Though it offers educational courses related to Theology/Divinity, there are 52 colleges which are affiliated to this university from all over India.

2) University of Calcutta in West Bengal -

Foundational Year: 1857 (161 years old)

Objective: Advancement of learning

Description: Complementary to its motto, this university is at the forefront in imparting higher and advanced education. Students who have completed their education from this Calcutta university have done great work in their respective fields of expertise. Rabindranath Tagore, C.V Raman, and Amartya Sen are some of the examples of such notable and honorary students.

3) University of Mumbai in Maharashtra -

Foundational Year: 1857 (161 years old)

Objective: The fruit of learning is a good character and righteous conduct

Description: One of the major Indian universities in India which had offered affiliation to more than 700 colleges. Also, this is one of the largest university to grow with a huge number of students.

4) University of Madras in Tamil Nadu -

Foundational Year: 1857 (161 years old)

Objective: Learning promotes natural talent

Description: This university covers six campuses and more than 100 colleges and hence becomes one of the major learning centers in South India. Some of its affiliated colleges include Loyola college, Presidency College, and Queen Mary's college.

5) Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh -

Foundational Year: 1875 (143 years old)

Objective: Taught man what he knew not (Quran 96:5)

Description: AMU is recognized as one of the institutes to be awarded the prestigious Institute of National Importance (INI). INIs work at the forefront of developing highly skilled and creative thinkers.

6) Panjab University in Chandigarh -

Foundational Year: 1882 (136 years old)

Objective: Lead us unto the light from darkness

Description: This is spread among 75+ departments of teaching and research, 3 regional centers, about 190 colleges and more than 550 acres of the campus area.

7) Allahabad University in Uttar Pradesh -

Foundational Year: 1887 (131 years old)

Objective: Every branch yields a tree

Description: Allahabad University is one of the recognized universities and so-called as the Oxford of the East. This premier institute offers studies in various departments such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, and Medicine. Some popular politicians like VP Singh, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Murli Manohar Joshi, Arjun Singh have passed with a unique distinction from this university.

8) Banaras Hindu University in Uttar Pradesh -

Foundational Year: 1916 (102 years old)

Objective: Knowledge imparts immortality

Description: The university is known for its ethical culture, imparts education to students from all over India. In fact, it majorly covers the resident students. More than 20,000 students from different parts live and study here. The university gets its origin from Banaras which is importantly known as a political and spiritual place.

9) University of Mysore in Karnataka -

Foundational Year: 1916 (102 years old)

Objective: Nothing is equal to knowledge

Description: The erstwhile princely state of Mysore's Maharaja has given a major contribution in the foundation of this university. The University has a country famous library with more than 800,000+ books.

10) Patna University in Bihar -

Foundational Year: 1917 (103 years old)

Objective: Satya Tatveya Vijeyagyatsmeva

Description: Patna University is the first and popular university that was founded in Bihar with 10 colleges in different parts of the state.

11) Osmania University in Telangana -

Foundational Year: 1918 (100 years old)

Objective: Lead us from darkness to light

Description: One of the oldest university in Telangana and the third oldest in South India. The campus is spread through an area of 1600 acres. The engineering and law colleges under this university are best ranked in India.

12) Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth in Uttar Pradesh -

Foundational Year: 1921 (97 years old)

Objective: Knowledge imparts immortality

Description: The university is located in Varanasi, one of the ancient city is obvious to be on the list. This university was founded in the early 20th century. It is one of the top 15 Oldest University in India.

13) University of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh -

Foundational Year: 1921 (97 years old)

Objective: Light and learning

Description: Lucknow university ranks as the 16th oldest university in India. King George's Medical University provided the major nucleus for the endowment of the University.

14. Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal -

Foundational Year: 1921 (97 years old)

Objective: Where the world makes a home in a single nest

Description: The teachings of this university have greatly influenced Indian society. Like some of the esteemed thinkers and people who have made a tremendous impact on society are Mahasweta Devi, Satyajit Ray, and Amartya Sen, who are also the alumni of this historically important institution.

15) University of Delhi (DU) -

Foundational Year: 1922 (96 years old)

Objective: Dedicated to truth

Description: This ranks as the second oldest university in Delhi. DU has gained much popularity with its 77 colleges with campuses' viz. the North campus and the South Campus.

Some more ancient chapters

Apart from this listed Oldest University in India, there are some institutes which have laid their foundations year back but have been granted status years later or recently.

16) Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University in Uttar Pradesh -

Foundational Year: 1911, University Status granted in 2002 (107 years old)

Objective: Sincerity-Service-Sacrifice

Description: This university ranks among the top 10 medical colleges in India as per various ranking organizations, Newspapers, and magazines. Earlier known as King George's Medical College.

17) Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi -

Foundational Year: 1920, University Status granted in 1988 (98 years old)

Objective: He taught man what he knew not

Description: Jamia is one of the oldest and renowned university in Delhi which has been given the status of a central university. It offers 9 educational departments, some including Faculty of Law, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Faculty of Fine Arts.

18) Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Andhra Pradesh -

Foundational Year: 1946, University Status granted in 1972 (72 years old)

Objective: Excellence in action is yoga

Description: This university has established its learning centers at Hyderabad and Kakinada. JNTU mainly offers tech and management programs.

Related Articles
University Level Entrance Exams	Click Here
Top 10 Economics Colleges in Delhi University	Click Here
Amity University Entrance Exam	Click Here