As the 2026 admission cycle approaches, many students and parents are also looking beyond central institutions to explore state public universities, which often offer quality education at relatively affordable costs. The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) provides a comparative overview of these universities based on parameters such as teaching, research, graduation outcomes and overall academic performance.
State public universities play a crucial role in India’s higher education system, catering to a large number of students across diverse disciplines. Many of these institutions have built strong reputations over the years for their academic quality, experienced faculty and wide range of courses.
According to the latest NIRF rankings, Jadavpur University, Kolkata holds the No. 1 position among state public universities with a score of 76.08, closely followed by Anna University, Chennai. The list features universities from across different regions of India, reflecting both academic diversity and regional representation.
Top State Public Universities in India (NIRF Ranking)
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata (West Bengal) — Score: 76.08
- Anna University, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) — Score: 76.06
- Panjab University, Chandigarh — Score: 69.92
- Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) — Score: 68.91
- Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) — Score: 67.93
- Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi (Kerala) — Score: 66.24
- Osmania University, Hyderabad (Telangana) — Score: 65.64
- University of Kashmir, Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) — Score: 65.17
- Gauhati University, Guwahati (Assam) — Score: 64.24
- Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)
For students planning their higher education journey, state universities can offer a balance of academic quality, affordability and accessibility. Experts suggest that along with rankings, students should also consider course offerings, campus infrastructure, placement support and location before making a decision.
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