Both private and governmental institutions are part of India's higher education system. The Government of India and state governments sponsor public universities, while various groups and societies largely finance private institutions. The UGC also recognizes private universities. On the other hand, these universities are not supported by the government or the state. They can award degrees, but they can't have off-campus institutions or affiliate with a university. According to the UGC website, "they can establish off-campus centers within the relevant State after five years of operation and with the prior consent of the University Grants Commission”.

In contrast to state and central universities, which a Chancellor leads, private universities are always led by a 'President' or 'Chairperson.' For operations, private institutions must follow UGC norms and regulations. The UGC sends inspection teams to private universities on a regular basis. According to a UGC list, the country has 260 private universities. Let us have a look at some of the Top Private Universities in India.

1. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies

NMIMS is one of the leading private universities in India. It is in the 1^st position on our list. Narsee Monjee was established in the year 1981 in Mumbai. Narsee Monjee University offers various courses in engineering, pharma, architecture, commerce, law, designing, agriculture, etc. NMIMS carries the status of deemed to be university. NAAC also gives it the ‘A+’ grade. Narsee Monjee is a network of 17 campuses across the country in various tier one and tier two cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Indore, Hyderabad, etc. Narsee Monjee institute always believes in the holistic development of all these students. It provides global exposure and a practical approach to the students to make them understand the needs of the corporate world.

2. Vellore Institute of Technology

VIT is in the 2^nd position in India’s list of top private universities. VIT is one of the prominent institutes of engineering and technology in India. VIT has a legacy of delivering the best higher education. VIT was established in 1984 and got the university status by the MHRD in 2001. Vellore Institute of Technology is ranked 12^th all over India in the field of the best research and best engineering institution in 2021. NAAC also gives VIT the ‘A+’ Grade. VIT offers courses like BTech, BBA, BCA, B.Com, B.Sc, M.Tech, M.Sc, MCA, MBA, LLM, etc. In total, VIT offers more than 85 courses to the students.

3. Amity University

Amity University ranks 3^rd on our list. Amity has become one of the prominent names in higher education in India. It was established in the year 2005. Amity university got the approval of AICTE and got a quality assurance certificate from the United kingdom’s agency. There are 11 campuses of amity university across the country. It also has 13 international campuses in top cities like London, Dubai, Singapore, etc. Amity is a well-reputed institution recognized by UGC and is given the A+ grade by NAAC. Amity University offers more than 100 courses like BTech, B.Arch, MBA, BA LLB, B.Sc, M.Sc, etc.

4. Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani

BITS is at 4^th rank in India’s list of top private universities. BITS was established in the year 1964 by doctor G.D. Birla. It is one of the eminent private universities in India which provides world-class technical education. The motive of BITS is to train the youth to put into all the actions and ideas to create new things and change the world. BITS has a world-class campus in Rajasthan. NAAC gives BITS the ‘A’ grade and 3.45 CGPA. BITS also has other campuses in the country and one campus in Dubai. It offers various courses like B.E., B.Pharma, BTech, MSc, MBA, etc.

5. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is at 5^th rank in India’s list of top private universities. It was established in 1994 by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. In 2003, it got the status of deemed to be university. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham provides higher education in almost all the disciplines; it offers more than 200 courses like BA, BSc, Btech, BBA, MBA, MTech, MSC, MA, etc. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has 6 campuses at various locations across the country. It has the ‘A++’ grade by NAAC and is ranked 5^th place by NIRF.

6. Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Manipal Academy ranks 6^th in the list of Top private universities in India. It was established in 1993, but the formation of the university began a long back in the year 1953. Today Manipal University is standing tall, providing quality education in various disciplines at 6 campuses, including two international campuses of Dubai and Melaka. NAAC has awarded Manipal an ‘A’ grade. It offers more than 370 courses in more than 31 disciplines to the students like B.Com, BOT, BPT, BDS, MSc, MCA, etc. Manipal University is also India’s one of the leading research institutes. It received Rs.37 crores in grants for research purposes in 2018- 19.

7. International Institute of Information Technology

IIIT, Hyderabad is in 7^th position in the list of top private universities in India. It was founded in 1998 as a not-for-profit university. International Institute of Information Technology pays special emphasis upon technical studies and research to better industry and society. It has been ranked 54 in the engineering category by NIRF. It is approved by AICTE and given the grade ‘A’ by NAAC. It is the first IIIT of India. It offers a limited number of courses in limited disciplines like BTech, MTech, MPhil, Ph.D.

8. SRM Institute of Science and Technology

SRM Institute of Science and Technology is at 8^th rank in India’s list of top private universities. It was founded in the year 1985 by its founder T.R. Pachamuthu. SRMIST is a private educational institution given the status of deemed to be university. There are a total of 7 campuses of SRMIST across India. NAAC also gives it the ‘A+’ grade, and also the NIRF has given 30^th rank to the institute. SRMIST aims to become a world-class university in providing a unique learning experience to the students. SRMIST offers courses in various disciplines like BTech, BBA, MBBS, BDS, MTech, MBA, etc.

9. Lovely Professional University

LPU is in 9^th position on our list. Lovely Professional University is a well-known name in the country. It is a reputed educational institute in northern India. It was founded in the year 2005 by the Lovely Professional Trust. NIRF gave 62^nd rank to LPU in overall university ranking. The lovely professional university offers various courses in 9 disciplines like BTech, BSc, BA, BA LLB, BCA, MCom, MCA, etc. LPU provides placement assistance to all the students and helps them get high-paying jobs. Lovely Professional University's objective is to develop a community of learners with analytical thinking and leadership abilities.

10. Chandigarh University

Chandigarh University is in 10^th position on our list. It was established in 2012 and is one of the youngest private universities in the country. Chandigarh university emphasizes more on providing professional and academic training to the students. NAAC gives it the ‘A+’ grade. It also got the recognition of UGC and AICTE. Chandigarh university inculcates the feeling of social sensitivity in the students. Chandigarh University offers more than 300 courses in various disciplines to the students, including B.Com, BTech, BSc, BArch, MTech, MBA, etc.

Top 10 List