1 / 11India has a long history of higher education, with a number of institutions that were founded more than a century ago still holding significant positions in a variety of disciplines. These colleges blend traditional and contemporary courses in fields ranging from engineering, agriculture, social sciences, and the arts and theology. The list of the oldest universities in India includes Senate of Serampore College, IIT Roorkee, University of Allahabad, and others. (Image Wikimedia Commons). The following are the top 10 oldest universities in India still functioning, their founding years, and the courses they offer.
2 / 11Senate of Serampore College (1818) | The missionaries Joshua Marshman, William Carey, and William Ward—known as the Serampore trio—founded the Senate of Serampore College, India’s oldest institution. The goal was to educate students in the arts and sciences regardless of their caste, nationality, or colour. Courses offered: Bachelor of Divinity (BD), Bachelor of Missiology (BMiss.), Bachelor of Theology (BTh.), Bachelor of Bible Translation Studies (BBTS), Bachelor of Christian Studies (BCS), Master of Theology (MTh.), Master of Christian Studies (MCS), and Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MCP). (Image Senate of Serampore College).
3 / 11Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee (1847) | In commemoration of its founder, it was renamed the Thomason College of Civil Engineering in 1854. Later, in 2001, it changed into IIT Roorkee, the seventh Indian Institute of Technology to be established. Courses offered: BArch, BDes, BTech. in Polymer Science and Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence; MSc in Chemistry, Physics, and Applied Mathematics. (Image IIT-Rookee website)
4 / 11University of Calcutta (1857) | Founded on January 24, 1857, the University of Calcutta is among the oldest and most prestigious universities in India. It is the first university in Asia to be founded as a secular, multidisciplinary institution in the Western model. Courses offered: B.Tech in Electronics and Communication, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Chemical Engineering, IT, etc.; MA/MSc in Economics, History, Ancient Indian History & Culture, etc.; other arts, commerce, science and professional courses. (Image caluniv.ac.in)
5 / 11University of Mumbai (1857) | The name ‘University of Bombay’ was changed to ‘The University of Mumbai’ to emphasise the name of the city. The university comprises 60 university departments and institutions, as well as 749 affiliated colleges. Courses offered: BA in Statistics, BSc in Life Sciences, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology, and Data Science; BA or BSc in Mathematics; MA in History, English Studies, Geography and Geospatial Technology. (Image mu.ac.in)
6 / 11University of Madras (1857) | The University of Madras is the oldest in India. This public state university was founded in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in 1857. Consolidated by the Legislative Council of India, it is among the oldest universities in the country. Courses offered: BA in Criminology and Police Administration, Economics, English, and Public Administration; MA in Ancient History and Archaeology, Sociology, and Defence and Strategic Studies; and MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice Science. (Image Wikimedia Commons)
7 / 11Aligarh Muslim University (1875) | The Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) was transformed into the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 1920. It was founded by renowned social reformer and visionary Sir Syed Ahmad Khan on January 7, 1877. Courses offered: BSc (Hons.) Agriculture; BTech or BE in Applied Chemistry; BTech in Materials Science and Engineering Materials, Civil Engineering; MTech in Geotechnical Engineering and Earthquake Engineering, and Environmental Engineering. (Image CNBCTV18.com file)
8 / 11Panjab University (1882) |Â Located in Chandigarh, Panjab University (PU) is a public university that was founded in 1947, with roots dating back to 1882. It is one of the oldest universities in India, with 188 affiliated colleges spread across eight districts in the union territory of Chandigarh and Punjab state. Courses offered: B.A.BEd; BCom LLB; BA in Education, Economics; B.E. in Chemical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Food Technology, and Information Technology; MA in Disaster Management, Defence and National Security Studies, and Economics. (Image Wikimedia Commons).
9 / 11University of Allahabad (1887) |Â Founded on September 23, 1887, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad University is a central public institution. Hemwati Nandan, Harivansh Rai Bachan, Gulzarilal Nanda, Chandra Shekhar, VP Singh, Madan Mohan Malviya, and Hemwati Nandan are among the famous alumni of Allahabad University. Courses offered: BSc in Geography, Bachelor of Performing Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, BA in Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology, Arabic; BSc in Anthropology; MA in Anthropology, Education, Geography, and Psychology. (Image Wikimedia Commons).
10 / 11Banaras Hindu University (1916) |Â One of India’s oldest universities is Banaras Hindu University, which was founded in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, by Madan Mohan Malaviya. With more than 30,000 students on campus, it is the largest residential university in Asia. Courses offered: Bachelor of Vocation in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Logistics Management, and Hospitality and Tourism Management; Bachelor of Dental Science; BA LLB (Hons.); Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry; MA in AIHC and Arch, Museology; MSc in Bioinformatics; Master of Vocation in Fashion Technology & Apparel Design, and Logistics Management. (Image Shutterstock).
11 / 11University of Mysore (1916) | Founded by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore at the time, educational specialists CR Reddy and Thomas Denham founded the University of Mysore. It is the sixth-oldest institution in India and the first state university in Karnataka. Courses offered: MA in Ancient History & Archaeology, Journalism & Mass Communication, Economics, English, Political Science, Public Administration, Master of Social Work, MSC, Applied Geology, Human Development and Family Studies, Mathematics, and Microbiology. (Image uni-mysore.ac.in)
