List of Top Universities in Delhi 2026: NIRF Ranks, Fees & Admission

Looking for a list of top universities in Delhi for 2026? The capital has more highly ranked institutions than almost any other city in India: IIT Delhi, AIIMS New Delhi, JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia and the University of Delhi all sit in the national top 15 of the NIRF Overall ranking. This guide covers the 15 best universities and institutes in Delhi, with their verified NIRF ranks, popular courses, how admission works and approximate fees.

Every rank below comes from the NIRF India Rankings 2025, which the Ministry of Education released on 4 September 2025. As of late October 2026, the NIRF 2026 results had not been officially published, so the 2025 edition is the latest one that can be verified. Each rank is checked against at least two independent sources.

Top 15 universities in Delhi at a glance

Top universities and institutes in Delhi: detailed profiles

1. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi

IIT Delhi, in Hauz Khas, is the highest-ranked institution in the capital. It's best known for engineering, and its alumni network in startups, consulting and research is among the strongest in India. Visit the official website at home.iitd.ac.in.

• Established: 1961 (declared an Institute of National Importance in 1963)
• Type: Institute of National Importance (Central)
• NIRF 2025: Overall rank 4, Engineering rank 2, Management rank 4
• Popular courses: B.Tech, Dual Degree, M.Tech, M.Sc, MBA, PhD
• Admission via: JEE Advanced + JoSAA counselling (B.Tech); GATE (M.Tech); CAT (MBA)
• Approx. fees: about ₹2.2–2.5 lakh per year for B.Tech (2025-26), with fee waivers for SC/ST and lower-income families

2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi

AIIMS New Delhi has been ranked India's best medical institution for years running. It also charges some of the lowest fees of any medical college in India. Official site: aiims.edu.

• Established: 1956
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Medical rank 1, Overall rank 8
• Popular courses: MBBS, B.Sc (Hons) Nursing, paramedical courses, MD/MS, DM/M.Ch
• Admission via: NEET UG + MCC counselling (MBBS); INI-CET (PG)
• Approx. fees: nominal, only a few thousand rupees for the whole MBBS course (check the official prospectus)

3. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)

JNU has ranked No. 2 among Indian universities for four years running. It's known for postgraduate and research programmes in the social sciences, international studies, languages and life sciences.

• Established: 1969 (by an Act of Parliament passed in 1966)
• Type: Central University
• NIRF 2025: University rank 2, Overall rank 9
• Popular courses: MA, M.Sc, MCA, PhD, BA (Hons) in foreign languages, B.Tech (through its engineering school)
• Admission via: CUET UG / CUET PG; JEE Main for B.Tech; its own process for PhD
• Approx. fees: among the lowest in India, often a few hundred to a few thousand rupees a year in tuition, plus hostel charges

4. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)

Jamia, in Okhla, offers a wide range of courses from school level up to PhD. Its engineering, architecture, law and mass communication programmes are especially popular.

• Established: 1920 (Central University since 1988)
• Type: Central University
• NIRF 2025: University rank 4, Overall rank 13, Engineering rank 24, Architecture rank 5, Law rank 8, Management rank 28
• Popular courses: B.Tech, B.Arch, BA LLB, MA Mass Communication, MBA, B.Sc
• Admission via: JMI's own entrance tests, CUET for some programmes, JEE Main for B.Tech
• Approx. fees: about ₹15,000–25,000 per year for many UG courses; professional courses cost more

5. University of Delhi (DU)

DU is one of India's largest universities. Its teaching happens through about 90 constituent colleges plus its own departments. In NIRF 2025 it reached its best-ever University rank of 5, up from 6 the year before, and it was ranked 12th among research institutions.

• Established: 1922
• Type: Central University
• NIRF 2025: University rank 5, Overall rank 15, Research rank 12
• Popular courses: BA (Hons), B.Com (Hons), B.Sc (Hons), law (LLB, through the Faculty of Law), MA, M.Sc, MBA (through FMS)
• Admission via: CUET UG + DU's CSAS portal; CUET PG for most master's courses
• Approx. fees: about ₹10,000–45,000 per year for most UG courses, depending on the college and course

Top DU colleges (NIRF 2025, College category): Delhi University colleges took the top five places in India: Hindu College (1), Miranda House (2), Hansraj College (3), Kirori Mal College (4) and St. Stephen's College (5). Admission to all of them goes through CUET UG and DU's CSAS process. St. Stephen's also adds its own interview for some seats.

6. Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa

IARI is often called "Pusa Institute". It's India's leading agricultural research and teaching institute and played a central role in the Green Revolution. In 2025 it topped the NIRF Agriculture ranking for the third year in a row.

• Established: 1905 at Pusa, Bihar; moved to New Delhi in 1936; deemed university since 1958
• Type: Deemed University (under ICAR)
• NIRF 2025: Agriculture rank 1, University rank 16, Overall rank 24
• Popular courses: M.Sc and PhD in agronomy, genetics, plant breeding, agricultural economics and more
• Admission via: ICAR's national entrance tests for PG and PhD
• Approx. fees: low, and many students receive ICAR fellowships

7. Delhi Technological University (DTU)

DTU was formerly Delhi College of Engineering and is one of the most sought-after state engineering universities in North India.

• Established: 1941 (as Delhi Polytechnic); university status in 2009
• Type: State University (Govt. of NCT of Delhi)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 30, Overall rank 62
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE, IT, ECE, software engineering), M.Tech, MBA
• Admission via: JEE Main + JAC Delhi counselling
• Approx. fees: about ₹2.2–2.6 lakh per year for B.Tech (2025-26)

8. Jamia Hamdard

Jamia Hamdard is ranked the best pharmacy institution in India in NIRF 2025. It also runs a medical college (HIMSR), nursing, Unani medicine and management programmes from its campus near Tughlakabad.

• Established: 1989 (deemed university)
• Type: Deemed University
• NIRF 2025: Pharmacy rank 1, University rank 47, Medical rank 40
• Popular courses: B.Pharm, M.Pharm, Pharm.D, MBBS, B.Sc Nursing, BUMS
• Admission via: NEET UG for MBBS/BUMS; university's own process or merit for other courses
• Approx. fees: vary widely by course; check the official website

9. National Law University (NLU) Delhi

NLU Delhi has ranked No. 2 in the NIRF Law category for several years, behind only NLSIU Bengaluru. It takes students through its own entrance test, AILET, instead of CLAT.

• Established: 2008
• Type: State Law University
• NIRF 2025: Law rank 2
• Popular courses: BA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD
• Admission via: AILET
• Approx. fees: roughly ₹2–3 lakh per year including hostel (check the latest notice)

10. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

IIFT is a specialist business school focused on international trade and business. Its flagship MBA (International Business) now admits students using CAT scores and no longer uses a separate IIFT exam.

• Established: 1963 (deemed university since 2002)
• Type: Deemed University (Ministry of Commerce)
• NIRF 2025: Management rank 17
• Popular courses: MBA (IB), executive MBA, PhD
• Admission via: CAT + written test and interview
• Approx. fees: about ₹21–22 lakh for the full two-year MBA (2026-28 batch)

11. School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) Delhi

SPA Delhi is one of India's oldest and most respected architecture schools. It is especially strong in urban and regional planning.

• Established: 1941 (Institute of National Importance under the SPA Act, 2014)
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Architecture rank 8
• Popular courses: B.Arch, B.Plan, M.Arch, M.Plan
• Admission via: JEE Main Paper 2 + JoSAA counselling
• Approx. fees: about ₹1–1.5 lakh per year (approx.)

12. Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi

IIIT Delhi in Okhla is a research-led university focused on computer science and related fields.

• Established: 2008
• Type: State University (Govt. of NCT of Delhi)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 63
• Popular courses: B.Tech in CSE, CSAI, CSD, ECE, CSB; M.Tech; PhD
• Admission via: JEE Main + JAC Delhi counselling
• Approx. fees: roughly ₹4 lakh+ per year for B.Tech (check the official fee notice)

13. Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT)

NSUT, formerly NSIT, is in Dwarka and is often compared with DTU.

• Established: 1983 (as Delhi Institute of Technology); university status in 2018
• Type: State University
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 70
• Popular courses: B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, PhD
• Admission via: JEE Main + JAC Delhi counselling
• Approx. fees: about ₹2.2–2.6 lakh per year for B.Tech (approx.)

14. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU)

IP University is Delhi's large state affiliating university. It runs its own schools at Dwarka and East Delhi and affiliates many private and government colleges offering B.Tech, BBA, BCA, law, MBA and medical courses.

• Established: 1998
• Type: State University
• NIRF 2025: Law rank 22, Architecture rank 36, University rank 93
• Popular courses: B.Tech, BBA, BCA, BA LLB, MBA, MBBS (affiliated colleges)
• Admission via: JEE Main (B.Tech), CLAT (law), CAT/CMAT (MBA), NEET (medical), CUET or IPU-CET for others
• Approx. fees: vary a lot between university schools and private affiliated colleges

15. Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi

FMS is not a separate university. It's DU's management school and is listed here because it's one of India's most popular MBA options. It is not ranked in NIRF because it hasn't taken part in the Management ranking, but its very low fees and strong placements make it a top choice for CAT takers.

• Established: 1954
• Type: Faculty of the University of Delhi (Central University)
• NIRF 2025: Not ranked (did not participate)
• Popular courses: MBA, MBA Executive, PhD
• Admission via: CAT + interview
• Approx. fees: low compared with IIMs, roughly ₹2–2.5 lakh for the full MBA (check the latest notice)

How admission works at Delhi universities

Each type of institution in Delhi uses a different national or state-level exam. Here is the usual route:

1. Engineering (B.Tech): Write JEE Main. Top scorers qualify for JEE Advanced, which leads to IIT Delhi through JoSAA. DTU, NSUT, IIIT Delhi and IGDTUW admit through JAC Delhi counselling using JEE Main ranks, with 85% of seats reserved for Delhi-region candidates.
2. Medical (MBBS/BDS): Clear NEET UG. AIIMS New Delhi and central-quota seats are filled through MCC counselling.
3. Arts, science and commerce (UG): DU, JNU and Jamia use CUET UG for most undergraduate programmes.
4. Law: NLU Delhi uses AILET. GGSIPU and many other law schools accept CLAT. DU's LLB is through CUET PG.
5. Architecture: SPA Delhi and Jamia's B.Arch use JEE Main Paper 2 and/or NATA, depending on the institute.
6. MBA: IIT Delhi, FMS and IIFT all use CAT. IP University colleges also accept CMAT.

How to choose the right college in Delhi

A high NIRF rank is a good start, but the right college depends on your course, budget and career plan.

• Course first, brand second: A rank-30 engineering university with a strong CSE branch may suit you better than a famous university that's weak in your subject.
• Check the right NIRF category: For engineering, use the Engineering list. For law, use the Law list. The Overall and University lists mix very different institutions.
• Look at placement reports: Institutes publish median salaries in their NIRF data. The median tells you more than the "highest package" in advertisements.
• Accreditation: Confirm UGC recognition (and AICTE/NMC/BCI approval where relevant) on ugc.gov.in before paying fees to any private institute.

Scholarships and financial help for Delhi students

Many top Delhi institutions are government-funded with low fees, but hostel, coaching and private-college costs add up. Apply for every scholarship you qualify for.

• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): Central schemes such as the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for college students, post-matric scholarships for SC/ST/OBC/minority students, and AICTE Pragati and Saksham for technical courses.
• Institute fee waivers: IITs, NITs and many central universities waive tuition fees fully or partly for SC/ST, PwD and low-income families.
• Merit scholarships: You can also take the national AISEE scholarship exam for college students, which gives merit-based scholarships for engineering, medical and other courses.

To compare more options, see this guide to scholarships after 12th in India.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the No. 1 university in Delhi?

In the NIRF 2025 University category, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is Delhi's top university at rank 2 in India. Across all categories, IIT Delhi is the highest-ranked institution in the city at rank 4 in the NIRF 2025 Overall list.

Is Delhi University better than JNU?

They suit different students. DU is best for undergraduate courses through its colleges and was ranked 5th among universities in NIRF 2025. JNU is mainly a postgraduate and research university and was ranked 2nd.

Which are the top DU colleges in NIRF 2025?

In the NIRF 2025 College category, the top five colleges in India are all from Delhi University: Hindu College (1), Miranda House (2), Hansraj College (3), Kirori Mal College (4) and St. Stephen's College (5).

Which are the best engineering colleges in Delhi after IIT Delhi?

After IIT Delhi (Engineering rank 2), the next-best options in NIRF 2025 are Jamia Millia Islamia (24), DTU (30), IIIT Delhi (63) and NSUT (70). DTU, NSUT and IIIT Delhi admit students through JEE Main and JAC Delhi counselling.

Has NIRF 2026 ranking been released?

As of late October 2026, the Ministry of Education had not officially released the NIRF 2026 results. The latest verified edition is NIRF 2025, released on 4 September 2025, and this guide uses those ranks. Check nirfindia.org for any update.

Can students from other states get admission to Delhi universities?

Yes. Central universities and national institutes such as IIT Delhi, AIIMS, JNU, DU and Jamia admit students from all over India through national exams. State universities such as DTU, NSUT and IIIT Delhi reserve 85% of seats for the Delhi region, so outside-Delhi candidates need a much better JEE Main rank.

Conclusion: picking from the top universities in Delhi

This list of top universities in Delhi shows how much choice the city offers: IIT Delhi for engineering, AIIMS for medicine, JNU and DU for the arts and sciences, NLU Delhi for law, IARI for agriculture, and IIFT and FMS for management. Use the NIRF 2025 ranks as a guide, then match the institute to your course, entrance exam and budget.

Your next step is to list the entrance exams you need for 2026 (JEE, NEET, CUET, CLAT/AILET or CAT) and note their dates. Also check the important dates of the AISEE scholarship examination, so that you can cut your study costs while you aim for a top Delhi college.