The system of higher education in India is gigantic. It is in reality one of the biggest. Millions of students enroll in courses every year- some of them seeking to pursue a solid career and others attracted by the lure of research or teaching. The choices can be daunting with the number of Universities spread all over the country. That’s exactly why it helps to understand the different types of universities in India before making a choice.

They are divided first by funding. Others rely completely on government assistance, and others are constructed and operated by non-governmental groups. The next are special classes, such as deemed and autonomous universities. Suppose you’ve ever wondered how many universities in India actually exist or what the total number of universities in India is. In that case, the answer changes each year as new ones get added.

To simplify it, we are going to divide the key categories and get to know how they function.

What is a University in India?

A university is more than just a big college. It can create its own syllabus, conduct exams, and grant degrees. Colleges, on the other hand, usually run under a university’s authority.

So, what is a state university? It’s a university set up by a state government. What is a private university? That’s one created by private foundations but still approved by the UGC.

The difference between college and university in India is simple—colleges teach, but universities control the bigger academic system.

Types of Universities in India

The major types of universities in India are:

Central Universities
State Universities
Private Universities
Deemed Universities
Autonomous Universities

Some of these overlap. For instance, a private institute may later become a deemed university because of its performance.

Central Universities in India

Central universities are financed and run by the Government of India. They usually attract students from every corner of the country. Admissions are done through exams like CUET, JEE, or NEET.

Examples include JNU, BHU, and AMU.

So, how many are there? Out of the total number of universities in India, 56 are central universities. That’s your answer if you’re wondering how many universities in India belong to this category.

State Universities in India

What is a state university? It’s an institution created and managed by a state government. These focus on local students and often follow reservation policies for residents of the state.

The total state university in India is over 400. This makes them the largest group.

There’s also something called a state private university—these are privately funded but set up under a state law.

Comparisons often come up between government colleges vs private colleges. State universities may not have the same funding as central ones, but they are usually more affordable and accessible.

Private Universities in India

So, what is a private university? It’s one created by private bodies, usually with their own funding. But they must get approval from UGC to operate.

The total private university in India is now over 450. They usually offer better infrastructure and newer facilities. But yes, the fees are often higher compared to public universities.

So, the debate of private or government really depends on your budget and career goals. That’s also why people compare government colleges vs private colleges all the time.

Deemed Universities in India

Students often ask: what is deemed university or what’s the deemed university meaning? It’s a recognition granted by UGC to universities that maintain high academic standards. They get more freedom in setting courses and conducting exams.

Is a deemed university private or government? Actually, it can be either. Some are government institutions, while others are private.

Examples include Manipal Academy of Higher Education and TISS.

Autonomous Universities in India

Autonomous universities are a little different. They design their own courses and exams but are still linked to a parent university for awarding degrees.

This often sparks the autonomous vs deemed university debate. The difference is, deemed universities can give their own degrees, while autonomous ones cannot.

Comparison of Different Universities

Here’s a quick side-by-side view:

Type	Who runs it	Funding	Autonomy	Example
Central	Central Govt.	Govt. funded	High	JNU
State	State Govt.	Govt. funded	Medium	Mumbai University
Private	Private bodies	Private funded	High	Amity University
Deemed	Govt./Private + UGC approval	Mixed	Very High	TISS
Autonomous	Parent Univ. + UGC	Mixed	Limited	Loyola College

This shows the difference between deemed university and university, as well as how government colleges vs private colleges vary.

Total Number of Universities in India by Type

Now, let’s talk numbers. How many universities in India overall? According to UGC, the total number of universities in India is over 1,100.

Here’s a breakdown:

Central Universities: 56
State Universities: 460+
Deemed Universities: 125+
Private Universities: 450+

So both the total private university in India and total state university in India account for the majority.

How to Choose the Right University?

So, which one is better: private or government? There’s no single answer.

What is a private university good at? Modern infrastructure and global tie-ups.
Government universities? Lower fees, wider recognition.
And yes, government colleges vs private colleges can make a big difference for placements and networks.

Here are some factors to consider:

Tuition and living costs
Course offerings
Location and accessibility
Faculty and placement records

Conclusion

India’s education system is broad, with many categories of universities. Central, state, private, deemed, and autonomous—each has its strengths. Understanding the types of universities in India helps you decide better.

So if you’re asking how many universities in India or checking the total number of universities in India, remember—statistics matter, but the best choice depends on your own career goals.