Difference Between Autonomous, Deemed, Private, State and Central University

18 November 2024, 6:13 pm IST

India has numerous universities offering professional courses to its citizens. Do you ever get confused between autonomous or deemed university meaning? In this blog, we will discuss different types of universities in India. University Grants Commission (UGC) is the governing body that grants recognition to universities to function legally in India. Always check if your chosen university has relevant approvals before getting admission. 

What Is A University?

A university is an educational institution where students get higher education. A university has several colleges under its administration and they offer undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral degrees to students. 

What is a university

Autonomous Colleges

Autonomous colleges are affiliated with a parent university but they have academic autonomy. They are free to use the expertise of university departments to frame a curriculum. Autonomous Colleges have the freedom to:

  • Plan their curriculum 
  • Plan teaching methods
  • Plan examination and evaluation system
  • Introduce innovative academic programs 
  • Issue provisional or migration certificates 
  • Introduce new courses, subject to minimum hours requirement

Note: After course completion, the degree is awarded in the name of the parent university. 

 

There are 1222 Autonomous Colleges in India as per the UGC data until August 2024. Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) are Autonomous Colleges. 

Here is a list of a few top names:

 

College 

Affiliated to University 

Bhilai Institute of Technology, Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University,  Bhilai

St. Xaviers College, Ahmedabad 

Gujarat University,  Ahmedabad 

St. Xaviers College, Ranchi

Ranchi University, Ranchi

Mount Carmel College, Bangalore 

Bangalore University, Bengaluru

DY Patil College of Engineering 

Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune

 

Central University 

Central University is a public university established by Act of Parliament and funded by the Central Government. They come under the Department of Higher Education. These universities can:

  • Plan their curriculum 
  • Plan their admission process
  • Award degrees to students 

As per the UGC website, there are 56 Central Universities in India currently. Some of the renowned Central Universities in India are:

  1. Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi
  2. Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi 
  3. Sikkim University, Sikkim
  4. Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
  5. Nalanda University, Bihar
  6. Banaras Hindu University
  7. University of Delhi, Delhi
  8. Central University of Gujarat
  9. Central University of Bihar
  10. Central University of Haryana

Deemed University 

Deemed University or Deemed-to-be-university is an accreditation granted by the Ministry of Education. They can be public or private universities. These universities have the freedom to:

  • Plan the syllabus
  • Plan the courses 
  • Decide the admission process
  • Decide the fees
  • Can award degrees or diplomas to students

As per the UGC Website, there are 130 Deemed Universities in India. Some of the renowned ones are:

  1. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur
  2. Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi
  3. Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
  4. Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
  5. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 
  6. Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune
  7. Dr. DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune
  8. Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani 
  9. Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore
  10. National School of Drama, Delhi

State University 

State University is established and funded by the State government. They follow the guidelines set by the State government. They have the freedom to:

  • Conduct their exams
  • Award degrees to students
  • Plan the syllabus 
  • Plan their admission process 

There are 489 State Universities in India currently as per the UGC list. Here is a list of a few renowned State Universities:

 

University 

State

Anna University 

Tamil Nadu 

Annamalai University 

Tamil Nadu

Bangalore University 

Karnataka

Doon University 

Uttarakhand

Lalit Narayan Mithila University 

Bihar

King George Medical University 

Uttar Pradesh

Madurai Kamraj University 

Tamil Nadu

Maharshi Dayanand University 

Haryana

Nalanda Open University 

Bihar

Savitribai Phule Pune University 

Maharashtra

Private University 

Private Universities have UGC approval, but they are not funded by the Central or State government. They need to follow UGC guidelines for operation but they have the freedom to:

  • Conduct their admission process 
  • Award degrees to students
  • Plan their syllabus
  • Plan the exam process 

As per the latest UGC list, there are 496 Private Universities in India. Here is a list of a few renowned Private Universities:

 

University 

State

Amity University 

Rajasthan 

Haryana

Maharashtra

Uttar Pradesh

Chhattisgarh 

Bihar

Jharkhand

Bhabha University 

Madhya Pradesh

Azim Premji University 

Madhya Pradesh

Karnataka 

DY Patil University 

Maharashtra

Chitkara University 

Punjab

Himachal Pradesh 

Dhirubhai Ambani University 

Gujarat

Dr C V Raman University 

Madhya Pradesh

Chhattisgarh 

Bihar

Garden City University 

Karnataka

ICFAI University 

Chhattisgarh

Himachal Pradesh

Rajasthan 

Nagaland

Pinprick Chinchwad University 

Maharashtra

Presidency University 

Karnataka 

 

Conclusion

Amity University Online is one of the best private universities in India that offers undergraduate as well as postgraduate courses online. We have a range of courses to suit everyone's requirements. We have the relevant accreditations and approvals from governing bodies. Our courses are recognized by employers globally, thus giving you the freedom to work worldwide. You should choose us for your higher education because:

  • We are the first Indian university to have UGC approval for Online Degrees and Learning Platforms. 
  • Our degrees are approved by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).
  • Our online MBA is ranked in QS Asia-Pacific Top 10.
  • National Institute of Ranking Framework (NIRF) - We are ranked 32nd.
  • We are India's first private university to be a member of the Digital Education Council. 
  • We have received the WES accreditation in Canada.
  • We are recognized by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

We offer the most affordable and effective courses to enhance your professional journey. Check our website and get enrolled in a course of your choice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Autonomous College?

An Autonomous College is affiliated with a university, but they have full academic autonomy. They can plan their curriculum, conduct exams, and award migration or provisional certificates. However, the degree certificates awarded to students are in the name of the parent university. As per the latest UGC data, there are 1222 autonomous colleges in India.

What is the meaning of a Deemed University?

A Deemed University refers to an educational institution receiving UGC approval to plan its exams, syllabus, or fees. They can award degrees to students. They can be public or private. As per the latest UGC data, there are 130 deemed universities in India.

How does a Private University differ from other universities?

1. A Private University is not funded by the State or Central Government. They need to follow UGC guidelines for operations. As per UGC data, there are 496 private Universities. 2. A Central University is funded by the Central government, while a State University is funded by the State government. 3. A Deemed University can be Private or public. They have the autonomy to decide the syllabus and exams and can award degrees to students.

What is a State University?

A State University is funded by the State Government and follows the State government guidelines. They can conduct their exams and award degrees to students. There are 489 State Universities as per the latest UGC data.

What is a Central University?

Central University is funded by the Central Government. They have the freedom to conduct exams, plan curriculum, and award degrees to students. There are 56 Central Universities in India as per the latest UGC data.

Which type of university has more autonomy: Autonomous or Deemed?

Autonomous Colleges have more academic autonomy but they can't award degrees. Deemed universities have academic and administrative autonomy. They can award degrees to students.

How are State and Central Universities different?

A State University is funded by the State government and follows its guidelines, while a Central University is funded by the Central Government and adheres to its guidelines.