What is the Difference Between Autonomous, Deemed, Private, State & Central Universities?

What is the Difference Between Autonomous, Deemed, Private, State & Central Universities?

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Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Aug 25, 2025 15:42 IST

When choosing a university, it is important to know what is Autonomous college, Deemed-to-be university, Private institution or State & Central University because the validity of an educational degree is of utmost importance. 

Types of universities in India - There are over 1074 universities in India offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in scores of subjects from streams like Science, Arts, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Commerce, Fine Arts, etc. All these universities in India are recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to function legally and offer valid degree. The UGC recognises these institutions on the basis of various parameters. These parameters help it in classifying universities into five major categories - Central, State, Private, Autonomous and Deemed-to-be university

When selecting a university for higher education, candidates should always look for UGC recognition to avoid falling into the trap of fake universities. Apart from the UGC, there are about 15 Professional Councils that control various aspects of institute accreditation. These government recognition and competent body accreditation are the real marker of authenticity of an institute or university. Read below to know more about Universities in India and their types - Central, State, Private, Autonomous and Deemed-to-be Universities.

Table of content
  • Total Number of Universities in India
  • What is Central University?
  • What is State University?
  • What is Deemed University?
  • What is Private University?
  • What is Autonomous College or Institution?
  • What is the Difference between Deemed University, Autonomous College & Private Institutions?
  • Top Deemed Universities in India
  • FAQs Related to Types of Universities in India
View More

Total Number of Universities in India

As mentioned above, there are about 1074 universities in India. These universities are classified into Central, State, Private and Deemed-to-be universities. Take a look the table below for category-wise total number of universities in India.

University Type

Total Number

State Universities

460

Deemed-to-be Universities

128

Central Universities

56

Private Universities

430

Total

1074

Please note, the above list doesn’t include Autonomous colleges and institutes.

What is Central University?

A central university is the one which is established by an Act of Parliament and is under the direct purview of the Department of Higher Education (DHE) under Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). As per the latest list available, there are 56 Central universities in our country.

Salient features of a Central University:

  • Conduct their own admission process
  • Can decide their own syllabus
  • Conduct their own exams
  • Grant degrees to the students

Check: Complete list of UGC approved central universities in North India here

What is State University?

As the name suggests, a State University is established, run and funded by the state government. State universities are usually established by a local legislative assembly act. According to a UGC consolidated list, there are 460 state universities in the country. State universities can confer/grant their own degrees to the students.

Salient features of a State University:

  • Conduct their own admission process
  • Grant degrees to the students
  • Conducts their own exams
  • Can decide their own syllabus

What is Deemed University?

Many students often ask - what is deemed university? They also often as whether deemed university is private or government? Even though a deemed university offers the same courses as any other university, what is the difference? So, here is the answer. Deemed university meaning lies in the status of autonomy granted to a university by DHE under MHRD, on the advice of UGC. Deemed-to-be-Universities enjoy full autonomy or independence in deciding courses, syllabus, admissions and fees. Some Deemed to be Universities can also grant degrees on their own. Deemed-to-be Universities, which continue to perform well, can get the status of a full-fledged University. 'Deemed university' meaning, 'deemed to be university' meaning and 'deemed college' meaning are same. They are just popular variation of Deemed to be University.

According to the latest UGC list, there are 128 Deemed to be universities in the country.

Salient features of Deemed-to-be University:

  • Conduct their own admission procedure
  • Can decide their own syllabus
  • Conduct their own exams
  • May or may not grant degrees to the students

What is Private University?

Private University is also an UGC approved institute. However, it does not run on central or state funds. Private universities can grant degrees but cannot have off-campus colleges or affiliate an institution/college. “They can establish off-campus centre(s) within the concerned State after their existence of five years and with the prior approval of the University Grants Commission,” states the UGC website. Unlike State and Central universities which have a ‘Chancellor’ as the head, a private university is always headed by ‘President’ or ‘Chairperson’.

A Private University needs to adhere to UGC rules and regulations for operations. The UGC regularly sends committees to inspect Private universities. According to the latest UGC consolidated list, there 430 are private universities in the country.

Salient features of a Private University:

  • Conduct their own admission procedure
  • Can decide their own syllabus
  • Conduct their own exams
  • Can grant degrees to the students

What is Autonomous College or Institution?

Autonomous colleges and institutes exercise independent control over their daily operations, syllabus, courses offered and admission procedure. They fall under the administrative control of Department of Higher Education (DHE), MHRD.

However, there’s difference between Autonomous Institutes and Autonomous Colleges.

Autonomous College are those which are affiliated to a certain university. These colleges can conduct their own admission procedure and exams. However, at the end of course completion, they cannot issue their own degree or diploma. The final degree or diploma is issued by the affiliated university.

Autonomous Institutes, like deemed-to-be universities, enjoy full autonomy or independence in deciding courses, syllabus, admissions and fees. However, they can grant diplomas and not degrees.

Some autonomous institutes are permitted to award degrees, though they are not referred to as Universities. These institutes include the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), etc.

Salient features of Autonomous institutes and colleges:

  • Conduct their own admission procedure
  • Can decide their own syllabus
  • Conduct their own exams
  • May or may not grant diploma or degree to students

What is the Difference between Deemed University, Autonomous College & Private Institutions?

Take a look at the table below to understand the basic difference between Deemed-to-be, Autonomous and Private Colleges. 

What is Deemed university?

What is Autonomous college?

What is Private institution?

Can decide their own syllabus

Autonomous college meaning, more academic freedom to change courses and syllabus

Can decide their own syllabus

Can grant diploma or degree to students

Degrees are mostly awarded by affiliated university (except for some Central / state funded institutes like IIMs and IITs)

Can grant diploma or degree to students, post approval from UGC

Full autonomy or independence in deciding courses, syllabus, admissions and fees

Independent control over their daily operations, syllabus, admission procedure

Needs to adhere to UGC rules and regulations for daily operations

Autonomy granted by Department of Higher Education (DHE), MHRD, on the advice of UGC

Fall under the administrative control of Department of Higher Education (DHE), MHRD

UGC approved institutes

FAQs Related to Types of Universities in India

Q: What is the difference between Deemed to be and Autonomous universities?

A: Deemed-to-be universities enjoy full autonomy or independence in administration and operations, while Autonomous universities are affiliated to the government. The degree offered for a course at an Autonomous college is by the affiliate university. They enjoy freedom in deciding syllabus, pedagogy, etc.

Q: Deemed University is private or government?

A: Deemed university is neither completely private and nor completely under the government. A Deemed-to-be university is affiliated to the UGC but enjoys autonomy in deciding courses, syllabus, fees and admission process.

Q: Is Autonomous University government or private?

A: An Autonomous university is financially supported by the government but is independent to decide the courses, syllabus, fees, appointments and admission process. There is no day to day interference by the government in the daily functioning of the university.

Q: What is the difference between Private and Deemed University?

A: There is not much difference between a Private University and a Deemed-to-be University. Both are recognised by the UGC. However, a Deemed University enjoys autonomy in administration while a Private University has to adhere to UGC rules and regulations in conduction of classes, exams, syllabus and admission process.

Q: Are IIMs government institutes?

A: No, the IIMs are autonomous institutes funded by the Central Government. The government has no say in day to day functioning of the IIMs. The institutes have the right to decide the fees, infrastructure, course, pedagogy and other such aspects for the betterment of their students. The government provides them land to set up new campuses. 

Q: Which is better – Private or Deemed University?

A: Both types of universities are good as they are government recognised, offer degree, diploma and certification courses and follow the latest syllabus and pedagogy for the courses offered. A student must choose the university as per their choice of course, its fee structure, reputation, location and placements prospects.

Q: Is the degree of Deemed-to-be University valid?

A: Yes, the degree of a Deemed-to-be University is valid and reputable as it is recognised by the government of India. Some of the well known universities of India including Symbiosis International University, Pune, are Deemed-to-be. The deemed-to-be status doesn't come in way of the institute's quality of education and training.

Q: What is the difference between Central and State University?

A: Central university is funded by the Central government and State university is funded by the State government. Central universities follow rules and regulations defined by the MHRD while the State university follows the State governments guidelines regarding admission, exams, fees, appointments, etc.

Q: Which is better – State University or Central University?

A: Both the State and Central universities are good and valuable in their own right. Many students who do not want to relocate from their hometown prefer to go for admission in State University. Also, the competition for admission in State university is less than in a Central university as the number of applicants in the former is restricted to the state, while in case of latter, applications are received from across India. Also, State universities have quote for domicile students.

Q: Can Private universities offer degree courses?

A: Yes, Private universities can offer degree courses, that are recognised by the UGC. Any educational institution which has been recognised as a University by the UGC and MHRD, can offer degree programmes. 

About the Author
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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. Read Full Bio
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Comments

(13)

K

K V SUDHAKAR

12 months ago

are the degrees issued by deemed universities are eligible for government jobs?

Reply to K V SUDHAKAR

D

Divya Aarav Aarav

5 months ago

Need the same answer.anyone please reply.

D

DR SUBRATA SEN

12 months ago

WELL WRITTEN. NO SITES HAVE SUCH TYPE OF CLEAR AND PRECISE ANSWER.THANKS ..MANY MANAY THANKS

Reply to DR SUBRATA SEN

A

Arun Krishnan

3 years ago

Indian Institution of Engineers,Delhi is a valid degree certificate provider?

Reply to Arun Krishnan

M

Madhu Shree

3 years ago

Is Ph.D. from deemed to be a university recognised by UGC

Reply to Madhu Shree

K

Kumar Sundaram

4 years ago

Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) is renamed as Ministry of Education (MoE), therefore, this piece of information could be updated in this article.

Reply to Kumar Sundaram