List of Top 20 Science Colleges in India 2026: Ranks & Fees

Looking for the top 20 science colleges in India for 2026? The strongest options for a B.Sc, BS or BS-MS degree are a mix of research institutes such as IISc Bengaluru, the IISERs and NISER, a few central universities such as BHU, and well-known colleges such as Miranda House, St. Stephen's, Hindu College and St. Xavier's Kolkata. This guide lists all 20, with NIRF ranks, admission routes, approximate fees and careers.

NIRF (the government's National Institutional Ranking Framework) has no separate "science" category. So we use the NIRF 2025 College rank for colleges, and the NIRF 2025 University, Research or Overall rank for institutes like IISc, the IISERs and BHU. NIRF 2025 was released on 4 September 2025 and is the latest edition we could confirm.

Top 20 science colleges in India at a glance (2026)

The order below is our editorial ranking for science students. It weighs research exposure and how selective admission is, and it also considers NIRF results. NIRF ranks are shown with their category so you can compare like with like.

Research institutes: IISc, IISERs, NISER, CEBS and CMI

If you love science and want to do research, these institutes are the first place to look. Class sizes are small, students work in labs from early on, and many graduates go on to PhDs in India and abroad.

1. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru

IISc is India's top research institution and has topped the NIRF University list again in 2025. Its four-year Bachelor of Science (Research) lets you major in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, earth and environmental science or materials, with a research project in the final year. Read the details on the official IISc website.

• Established: 1909
• Type: Deemed university, funded by the Government of India
• NIRF 2025: University rank 1, Research rank 1, Overall rank 2
• Admission via: JEE Advanced 2026 or IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2026 rank
• Approx. fees: tuition raised to Rs 80,000 per year from 2026-27 (waived for SC/ST/PwD); first-year total about Rs 1 lakh including deposits

2. IISER Pune

IISER Pune is the highest-ranked IISER in NIRF 2025. It is known for strong biology, chemistry and physics groups and a flexible five-year BS-MS course. See the official IISER Pune website.

• Established: 2006
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Research rank 35, Overall rank 55
• Popular courses: BS-MS (dual degree), BS in Economic and Statistical Sciences
• Admission via: IAT 2026
• Approx. fees: around Rs 1–1.2 lakh per year across IISERs (check the official fee notice)

3–5. IISER Kolkata, IISER Mohali and IISER Bhopal

These three IISERs offer the same five-year BS-MS model, with a common first year of basic sciences before you choose a major. All three admit students through the single IAT counselling process.

• IISER Kolkata (2006): NIRF 2025 Research rank 46, Overall rank 67
• IISER Mohali (2007): NIRF 2025 Overall rank 70
• IISER Bhopal (2008): NIRF 2025 Overall rank 75; also offers BS-MS plus some engineering-science programmes
• Approx. fees: for example, IISER Berhampur's official 2026-27 tuition is Rs 48,800 per semester; other IISERs are similar. SC/ST/PwD students get a tuition waiver.

6. NISER, Bhubaneswar

The National Institute of Science Education and Research is run by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). It offers a five-year Integrated M.Sc in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, computer science and other sciences. Degrees are awarded by Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), which is ranked 12 in the NIRF 2025 University list.

• Established: 2007
• Admission via: NEST (National Entrance Screening Test)
• Funding: admitted students can get the DAE DISHA scholarship of Rs 60,000 per year plus Rs 20,000 per year for summer projects

7. UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai

CEBS is a small, research-heavy centre on the University of Mumbai's Kalina campus. With only about 60 seats a year, it is one of the most selective science programmes in India.

• Established: 2007
• Course: five-year Integrated M.Sc (biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics)
• Admission via: NEST; same DISHA scholarship as NISER

8. Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI)

CMI is the go-to choice for students who love mathematics, theoretical computer science or physics.

• Established: 1989
• Courses: BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and Computer Science, and Mathematics and Physics
• Admission via: CMI's own entrance exam (held in May); Olympiad performers may get direct interview calls
• Approx. fees: higher than public institutes; check cmi.ac.in, as scholarships are available

9. IISER Thiruvananthapuram

IISER TVM (2008) has a large green campus at Vithura and strong groups in chemistry and physics. It did not appear in the NIRF 2025 top lists we checked, but it follows the same BS-MS curriculum and IAT admission as other IISERs. IISER Berhampur and IISER Tirupati are also part of the IAT pool.

Central and state universities: BHU and Presidency

10. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

BHU's Institute of Science has one of the widest choices of B.Sc subjects in the country, at very low fees. It is a central university, so admission is through CUET UG.

• Established: 1916
• NIRF 2025: University rank 6, Overall rank 10, Research rank 16
• Popular courses: B.Sc (Hons) in Maths, Biology and related groups
• Approx. fees: low, typically a few thousand to around Rs 20,000 per year (check bhu.ac.in)

11. Hindu College, Delhi

Hindu College (est. 1899) is the NIRF 2025 College rank 1, a position it has held since 2024. It offers B.Sc (Hons) in physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, mathematics and statistics.

12. Miranda House, Delhi

A women's college of Delhi University (est. 1948), Miranda House was NIRF's top college from 2017 to 2023 and is College rank 2 in 2025. Its physics, chemistry and botany departments are well regarded.

• Admission via: CUET UG and DU's CSAS portal
• Approx. fees: roughly Rs 20,000–40,000 per year for B.Sc (check college site)

13. Hansraj College, Delhi

Hansraj (est. 1948) moved up to College rank 3 in 2025. It is popular for physics, chemistry, computer science and biology-related honours courses.

14. Kirori Mal College, Delhi

Kirori Mal (est. 1954) is College rank 4. It has a large science faculty and a lively campus culture on DU's North Campus.

15. St. Stephen's College, Delhi

Founded in 1881, St. Stephen's (College rank 5) offers B.Sc (Hons) in physics, chemistry and mathematics, plus a B.Sc programme. As a Christian minority institution, it may add an interview to the CUET UG score for minority-quota seats, so read its admission notice carefully.

16. Presidency University, Kolkata

Founded in 1817 as Hindu College and made a university in 2010, Presidency has a strong legacy in physics, chemistry and statistics. It was not in the NIRF 2025 top-100 University list we verified, but it remains a popular choice in West Bengal.

• Admission via: PUBDET, conducted by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB)
• Courses: four-year B.Sc (Hons) in physics, chemistry, maths, statistics, geology, life sciences and more

Best colleges for B.Sc: Delhi University and beyond

These colleges are ranked in the NIRF 2025 College category. They suit students who want a classic three- or four-year B.Sc (Hons) with strong peer groups, and who plan to go for M.Sc, JAM, GATE or UPSC later.

17. St. Xavier's College, Kolkata

Established in 1860, St. Xavier's Kolkata is NIRF 2025 College rank 8. Admission to its B.Sc (Hons) courses is largely based on Class 12 marks, with a separate application on the college website.

18. Loyola College, Chennai

Loyola (est. 1925, College rank 14) is an autonomous Jesuit college. Its B.Sc courses in maths, physics, chemistry, statistics and plant biology are in high demand, with merit-based admission.

19. Madras Christian College (MCC), Chennai

MCC traces its roots to 1837 and is College rank 16. Its large Tambaram campus is home to strong zoology, botany and chemistry departments.

20. Fergusson College, Pune

Fergusson (est. 1885) is an autonomous college in Pune and is College rank 57 in NIRF 2025. It is popular for B.Sc in physics, electronics and biotechnology.

How admission works for science courses in 2026

Admission depends on the type of institute. Most top science options use a national test, and many deadlines fall between March and May, so plan early in Class 12.

1. IISER Aptitude Test (IAT): used by all seven IISERs and by IISc's BS (Research). IAT 2026 was held on 7 June 2026 as a computer-based test with 60 questions (15 each in biology, chemistry, maths and physics) over 3 hours. Applications usually open in March.
2. JEE Advanced: IISc also admits through JEE Advanced ranks, a useful second route for engineering aspirants who prefer pure science.
3. NEST: the only route into NISER and CEBS. NEST 2026 was held on 6 June 2026, with about 260 seats in total.
4. CMI entrance exam: held in early May; registration usually closes in early April.
5. CUET UG: for Delhi University colleges, BHU and many central universities. Pick the right subject combination (for example, physics, chemistry and maths) for your chosen honours course.
6. State or college-level routes: PUBDET for Presidency Kolkata, and merit lists based on Class 12 marks for colleges such as St. Xavier's Kolkata, Loyola, MCC and Fergusson.

How to choose the right science college

• Research or degree? If you want a PhD or a lab career, IISc, the IISERs, NISER, CEBS and CMI give far more research exposure. If you are unsure, a strong DU or autonomous college keeps more doors open.
• Course length: BS-MS and Integrated M.Sc courses run five years and end with a master's degree. A B.Sc takes three or four years, after which you can take IIT JAM for an M.Sc.
• Subject strength: look at the specific department, its faculty and its labs, not just the overall rank.
• Total cost: add hostel, mess and travel costs to tuition. Public institutes are often cheaper once scholarships are counted.

Careers after a science degree

A strong science degree opens many paths. Graduates from the research institutes often join PhD programmes at IISc, TIFR, the IITs or universities abroad. Others move into data science, quantitative finance, biotech, pharma, climate science, teaching and science policy.

B.Sc graduates commonly take IIT JAM for an M.Sc at an IIT, CUET PG for central universities, or GATE and CSIR-NET later for research and lecturer roles. The civil services and banking exams are also popular.

Scholarships and funding for science students

Science is one of the best-funded streams in India. Note that KVPY was discontinued in 2022; the Department of Science and Technology (DST) folded it into the INSPIRE-SHE scholarship.

• INSPIRE-SHE (DST): about Rs 80,000 per year (Rs 60,000 scholarship plus Rs 20,000 mentorship/summer grant) for students in the top 1% of their Class 12 board, or in the top 10,000 of JEE Advanced/NEET, who study natural or basic sciences. Renewal needs good yearly marks.
• DISHA (DAE): Rs 60,000 per year plus Rs 20,000 project grant for NISER and CEBS students.
• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): central and state schemes for SC, ST, OBC, minority and economically weaker students.
• State schemes: for example, West Bengal's Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means scholarship and similar state awards.
• AISEE scholarship: the All India Scholarship Entrance Examination offers merit-based support for college students; see the AISEE scholarship for college students.

For a wider list, read our guide to scholarships after 12th in India.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the No. 1 science college in India?

For research-focused science, IISc Bengaluru is No. 1, with NIRF 2025 University rank 1 and Research rank 1. Among regular colleges, Hindu College, Delhi, is NIRF 2025 College rank 1, followed by Miranda House.

Does NIRF have a separate ranking for science colleges?

No. NIRF does not publish a science-only category. It ranks colleges, universities and research institutions separately, so this list uses the College rank for colleges and the University, Research or Overall rank for institutes such as IISc and the IISERs.

Which exam is needed for IISER admission in 2026?

IISERs admit BS-MS students only through the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). The same IAT 2026 rank is also accepted for IISc's BS (Research) programme. Registration usually opens in March, so check iiseradmission.in early in Class 12.

Is a BS-MS better than a B.Sc?

A BS-MS gives you a master's degree in five years with heavy research training, which suits students aiming for a PhD. A B.Sc is shorter and more flexible, and you can still earn an M.Sc later through IIT JAM or CUET PG.

How much does a B.Sc at a top college cost?

Fees vary widely. Delhi University and BHU charge roughly Rs 10,000–40,000 a year, IISERs about Rs 1–1.2 lakh a year, and IISc Rs 80,000 a year in tuition from 2026-27. Scholarships like INSPIRE-SHE and DISHA can cover much of this, and fee waivers apply for SC/ST/PwD students at many institutes.

Is KVPY still conducted?

No. KVPY was stopped in 2022 and merged into DST's INSPIRE-SHE scholarship. Science students now qualify for INSPIRE-SHE through board results, JEE Advanced/NEET ranks or Olympiad performance.

Can I get into a top science college without JEE?

Yes. IAT, NEST, the CMI entrance exam and CUET UG are all separate from JEE. Many autonomous colleges such as St. Xavier's Kolkata, Loyola and MCC also admit on Class 12 marks.

Conclusion: picking from the top 20 science colleges in India

The top 20 science colleges in India range from research powerhouses like IISc and the IISERs to classic B.Sc colleges like Hindu College, Miranda House and St. Xavier's Kolkata. Decide first whether you want a research-heavy BS-MS or a flexible B.Sc. Then register for the right exams (IAT, NEST, CMI, CUET UG) on time.

As a next step, shortlist five colleges, note their 2027 exam dates, and line up your funding. Practise with our free test series to sharpen your aptitude for competitive exams.