Best Religious Studies Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026
India is home to 356 Religious Studies colleges in India and there is a split of colleges by ownership, public / government 108, public private 93 & private 89.
Location wise
India is home to Religious Studies colleges. Listing below the cities/states offering Religious Studies courses with no. of colleges.
| Location Details | Colleges |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 160 Colleges |
| Uttar Pradesh - Other | 39 Colleges |
| Rajasthan | 25 Colleges |
| Bihar | 22 Colleges |
| Varanasi | 21 Colleges |
| Maharashtra | 19 Colleges |
| Karnataka | 14 Colleges |
| Orissa | 14 Colleges |
| Tamil Nadu | 13 Colleges |
| Delhi/NCR | 13 Colleges |
| Gujarat | 12 Colleges |
| Himachal Pradesh | 12 Colleges |
| Allahabad | 10 Colleges |
| Punjab | 10 Colleges |
| Madhya Pradesh | 9 Colleges |
| Jaunpur | 9 Colleges |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 8 Colleges |
| Darbhanga | 8 Colleges |
| Delhi | 7 Colleges |
| Jaipur | 7 Colleges |
Specializations
Islam is the most popular specialisations offered by Religious Studies in India. Below is the table showing specilasations offering by no. of colleges.
| Specialization Details | Colleges |
|---|---|
| Islam | 21 Colleges |
| Hinduism | 20 Colleges |
| Theology | 11 Colleges |
| Christianity | 8 Colleges |
| Sikhism | 5 Colleges |
| English | 2 Colleges |
| Ethics | 2 Colleges |
| Hindi | 2 Colleges |
| Computer Science | 1 Colleges |
| Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law | 1 Colleges |
| Mathematics | 1 Colleges |
| Public Administration | 1 Colleges |
| Counseling | 1 Colleges |
| Sanskrit | 1 Colleges |
Entrance Exams
There are various exams accepted by Religious Studies in India like CBSE 12th, ISC, UP 12th and many more. Below table showing exams accepted by no. of colleges.
| Exam Details | Colleges |
|---|---|
| CBSE 12th | 253 Colleges |
| ISC | 253 Colleges |
| UP 12th | 152 Colleges |
| RBSE 12th | 19 Colleges |
| BSEB 12th | 17 Colleges |
| CUET-PG | 13 Colleges |
| Odisha CHSE | 12 Colleges |
| CUET | 9 Colleges |
| HPBOSE 12th | 9 Colleges |
| Maharashtra HSC | 9 Colleges |
| MPBSE 12th | 8 Colleges |
| GSEB HSC | 8 Colleges |
| Tamilnadu 12th | 7 Colleges |
| CBSE 10th | 6 Colleges |
| ICSE | 6 Colleges |
| AUAT | 3 Colleges |
| PSEB 12th | 2 Colleges |
| CGBSE 12th | 2 Colleges |
| HBSE 12th | 2 Colleges |
| GATE | 1 Colleges |
India is home to 356 Religious Studies colleges in India and there is a split of colleges by ownership, public / government 108, public private 93 & private 89.
Location wise
India is home to Religious Studies colleges. Listing below the cities/states offering Religious Studies courses with no. of colleges.
| Location Details | Colleges |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 160 Colleges |
| Uttar Pradesh - Other | 39 Colleges |
| Rajasthan | 25 Colleges |
| Bihar | 22 Colleges |
| Varanasi | 21 Colleges |
| Maharashtra | 19 Colleges |
| Karnataka | 14 Colleges |
| Orissa | 14 Colleges |
| Tamil Nadu | 13 Colleges |
| Delhi/NCR | 13 Colleges |
| Gujarat | 12 Colleges |
| Himachal Pradesh | 12 Colleges |
| Allahabad | 10 Colleges |
| Punjab | 10 Colleges |
| Madhya Pradesh | 9 Colleges |
| Jaunpur | 9 Colleges |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 8 Colleges |
| Darbhanga | 8 Colleges |
| Delhi | 7 Colleges |
| Jaipur | 7 Colleges |
Specializations
Islam is the most popular specialisations offered by Religious Studies in India. Below is the table showing specilasations offering by no. of colleges.
| Specialization Details | Colleges |
|---|---|
| Islam | 21 Colleges |
| Hinduism | 20 Colleges |
| Theology | 11 Colleges |
| Christianity | 8 Colleges |
| Sikhism | 5 Colleges |
| English | 2 Colleges |
| Ethics | 2 Colleges |
| Hindi | 2 Colleges |
| Computer Science | 1 Colleges |
| Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law | 1 Colleges |
| Mathematics | 1 Colleges |
| Public Administration | 1 Colleges |
| Counseling | 1 Colleges |
| Sanskrit | 1 Colleges |
Entrance Exams
There are various exams accepted by Religious Studies in India like CBSE 12th, ISC, UP 12th and many more. Below table showing exams accepted by no. of colleges.
| Exam Details | Colleges |
|---|---|
| CBSE 12th | 253 Colleges |
| ISC | 253 Colleges |
| UP 12th | 152 Colleges |
| RBSE 12th | 19 Colleges |
| BSEB 12th | 17 Colleges |
| CUET-PG | 13 Colleges |
| Odisha CHSE | 12 Colleges |
| CUET | 9 Colleges |
| HPBOSE 12th | 9 Colleges |
| Maharashtra HSC | 9 Colleges |
| MPBSE 12th | 8 Colleges |
| GSEB HSC | 8 Colleges |
| Tamilnadu 12th | 7 Colleges |
| CBSE 10th | 6 Colleges |
| ICSE | 6 Colleges |
| AUAT | 3 Colleges |
| PSEB 12th | 2 Colleges |
| CGBSE 12th | 2 Colleges |
| HBSE 12th | 2 Colleges |
| GATE | 1 Colleges |
Best Religious Studies Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026
Commonly asked questions On Best Religious Studies Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026
To pursue Bachelor of Theology course you should have completed Class 12 or equivalent qualification such as BVoc, Diploma etc. You could have studied in any stream such as Science, Commerce and Arts. But make sure that you have studied in a recognised institute.
Theology courses are degrees that involve the study of religious belief systems, traditions and other social and cultural facets of the particular faith. By pursuing a theology degree, students can enhance their knowledge associated with a belief system. A degree of theology has close links with fields like Philosophy, History, Anthropology and Religion Studies.
To become a professor, the first step that you need to clear is pursuing a Master. After completing the Masters, you should go for the UGC NET Exam. The UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) is conducted by the National Testing Agency NTA to select the candidates for Lectureships and Junior Research Fellowships.
The exam is conducted twice a year in 81 subjects like Humanities, English Literature, Management, etc. Make sure that you meet the required eligibility criteria before applying for this exam like qualification, age norms, etc. There are also other exams like CSIR NET SET, GATE, etc. That can help you pursue your dream of becoming a Professor.
Placement sessions are conducted in several colleges for Theology students. Some of these are as follows:
Theology Course Colleges | Average Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|
Faculty of Arts, Dayalbagh Educational Institute | 4 LPA |
Aliah University -City Campus (Park Circus) | 1 - 3.4 LPA |
Department of Jainology and Comparative Religion and Philosophy, Jain Vishva Bharti Institute | 2.9 LPA |
Aliah University -Old Campus (Taltala) | 1.8 - 2.5 LPA |
Aligarh Muslim University conducts the application process for all the courses in online mode. Interested candidates can fill the application forms through the official website. The admissions to AMU are offered on the basis of valid entrance scores. Candidates must ensure the fulfilment of the prescribed eligibility criteria. Candidates can go to the Aligarh Muslim University website for admission updates.
Commonly asked questions On Best Religious Studies Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026
There are several colleges that offer Theology courses with low fees. Some of these are as follows:
Theology Course Colleges | Average Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|
SHUATS - Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences | 1 K - 90 K |
Aliah University -Old Campus (Taltala) | 1.2 K - 2.8 K |
Faculty of Arts, Dayalbagh Educational Institute | 1.8 K |
Department of Jainology and Comparative Religion and Philosophy, Jain Vishva Bharti Institute | 2 K |
Aliah University -City Campus (Park Circus) | 4.5 K - 6.6 K |
Directorate of Distance Education, Madurai Kamaraj University | 5 K |
Christ University | 86 K |
There are many good books on Theology. Some of these are as follows:
Theology Books | Authors |
|---|---|
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine | Wayne Grudem |
On being a servant of God | Warren Wiersbe |
A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry | Dr. Heath Lambert |
The Screwtape Letters | C. S. Lewis |
The Moody handbook of theology | Paul Enns |
The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses | C.S. Lewis |
Building Healthy Churches | Nick Roark |
Mumbai University admission to various courses is based on merit or entrance exam. Mumbai University admission process is conducted through an online application. Candidates can refer to the steps below to fill out the Mumbai University application form:
- Visit the official website of MU
- Fill MU pre-enrolment form
- Fill out the application form of MU affiliated colleges
- Wait for the release of MU merit lists which are published on the official websites of the affiliated colleges
Candidates must wait for the Mumbai University cutoff after submitting their application for admission. Those who make the university's merit list must report to the college for document verification and counselling.
MSU Baroda student life is amazing. Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda students can join various clubs available in the university. MS University Vadodara students can take part in various competitions and activities. As per the Shiksha verified review, the university is rated 4/5 in the infrastructure and overall categories. Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda has seperate hostels for boys and girls.
According to the University of Madras NIRF report, 483 PG 2 year students were placed in 2024 with a median package of INR 4.2 LPA. In PG 3 year program, 7 students got placements with a median salary of INR 4.80 LPA.
Commonly asked questions On Best Religious Studies Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026
Yes, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University is a good university as it is a member of the AIU (Association of Indian Universities), ACU, AAOU, ICDE, and is accredited by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) with an A Grade. YCMOU Nashik offers MBA, BSc, and various other programmes to postgraduate and undergraduate students. For more information please visit the official website or click here.
Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith offers all the necessary campus facilities to its students. Some of the facilities include:
- Well-equipped classrooms
- Library
- Sports and medical facilities
- Labs
Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences provides the flagship Bachelor of Science (BSc) program, which provides a solid Scientific foundation to students. The course is available in various specializations, and is geared towards the Agricultural fields. The SHUATS BSc programme is available in various relevant specializations like Nursing, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Community Science, among others.
MADURAI KAMARAJ institution is a well-known institution founded by the Tamil Nadu government in 1965. The admission process at MKU-DDE is fairly basic. Simply go to the website, download the admission form, and then submit it online or offline. Admission is usually granted in the month of April. If you want to study from home and have been admitted to IGNOU, you can do so. You may get additional information from its official website, which I also visited. I shall always remember this college favorably. This is the most amazing experience I've ever had. Seniors, staff, and administration will assist you in any way they can. The teachers' teaching abilities are exceptional. You will never get anything back from a teacher. Learning here has a very good atmosphere.
After JEE session 2 is completed, only those candidates who are aiming for IITs need to start preparing for JEE Advanced after clearing JEE Main. Those who are above the 98th percentile should start preparing for JEE Advanced as soon as possible. Those below this, between the 95th and 98th percentile, should focus on attempting more mock tests and previous year question papers so that they have a better chance of clearing JEE Advanced
Religious Studies Applications open till Apr 18, 2026. Apply Now
Commonly asked questions On Best Religious Studies Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026
According to the latest update, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Kurukshetra University is one of the top 6–7 NITs in the country. The university's B.Tech programme is considered top because of the university's academic strength and expertise in the following technically important disciplines:
Electronics & Communication Engineering
Computer Science & Engineering
Biotechnology
Mechanical Engineering
The university also offers more than 175 courses in regular, online, and distance modes of education. The university's online programs are designed for working professionals and freshers, and the syllabus is designed by industry experts.
Established in year 1986, HNGU is a good college for the facilities it provides along with the course curriculum it has to offer. The University offers MBA and MA as flagship programme in full time mode on the basis of merit and entrance. Various tie-ups help in providing placement and internship opportunities that benefits the students in the real world.
K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies courses' admissions are based on entrance exam scores. The university also accepts CUET UG or CUET PG scores as per respective courses. Students can check the list of course eligibility from the table presented below:
| Course Name | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| BA | Class 12 |
| MA | Graduation with a 55% aggregate in any stream |
| Certificate | Class 12 or equivalent |
| PG Diploma | Graduate in any stream |
| UG Diploma | Class 12 or equivalent |
Yes, University of Technology Jaipur is a good university. The University of Technology Jaipur is recognised by the UGC and is sponsored by the Deepshikha Kala Sansthan, Jaipur. The university is a member of the AIU and some of the courses and departments are approved by the AICTE, the Pharmacy Council of India, and the Bar Council of India. The Special Education Courses are approved by the RCI. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes to students. These programmes are provided across the Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, and various other streams.
Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University was established in 1994. SRTMUN is approved by UGC and accredited with a B+ grade. The SRTMUN provides diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes. The university provides courses in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce, Computer Application and IT, Management and Business Administration, Engineering, and Architecture. SRTMUN has a library, hostel, solar heaters, recreational hall, internet, sports, health centre, computerization, mess, computerization, entertainment, garden, and so on.
Commonly asked questions On Best Religious Studies Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026
Pandit Sundarlal Sharma Open University Bilaspur provides scholarships to assist students financially. PSSOU offers Post-matric scholarship to students belonging to the backward classes like SC and ST who are pursuing higher education at post-secondary stage. It covers annual course fee and academic & maintenance allowance, as per the guidelines under the scheme.