List of Top Universities in Bihar 2026: NIRF Ranks, Fees

Looking for the top universities in Bihar for 2026? Bihar is home to some of India's most respected public institutes, including IIT Patna, AIIMS Patna, NIT Patna, IIM Bodh Gaya and Chanakya National Law University. This guide lists the best universities and institutes in the state, with their latest NIRF ranks, courses, admission routes and approximate fees.

We have used the NIRF 2025 India Rankings (released on 4 September 2025), the newest edition with confirmed results at the time of writing. Many Bihar universities are not ranked by NIRF at all. Where that is the case, we say so plainly rather than guessing a number.

Top 12 universities in Bihar at a glance (2026)

The table below ranks institutes by their best NIRF 2025 result, then by national standing and reputation for those that are unranked. NIRF compares institutes within a category, so an Engineering rank and a Law rank are not directly comparable.

Best universities and institutes in Bihar: detailed profiles

Here is a closer look at each institute, including what it is best for and how students get in.

1. IIT Patna

IIT Patna is the highest-ranked institute in Bihar and the state's only entry in the NIRF 2025 Overall top 100. It jumped from rank 73 in 2024 to rank 36 Overall in 2025. Its permanent campus at Bihta, about 30 km from central Patna, has been fully functional since 2015. Visit the official IIT Patna website for admission notices.

• Established: 2008
• Type: Institute of National Importance (central)
• NIRF 2025: Overall 36, Engineering 19, Research 39
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE, AI & Data Science, Electrical, Mechanical), M.Tech, M.Sc, MBA, PhD
• Admission via: JEE Advanced + JoSAA counselling (B.Tech); GATE, JAM, CAT for PG
• Approx. fees: around ₹2.5–3 lakh per year for B.Tech (2025, including hostel; fee waivers apply by family income)

2. AIIMS Patna

AIIMS Patna is the leading medical institute in Bihar and one of the newer AIIMS set up under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. It ranked 27th in the NIRF 2025 Medical category. Its biggest draw is very low tuition combined with a busy teaching hospital. See the official AIIMS Patna website.

• Started: 2012 (first MBBS batch)
• Type: Institute of National Importance (central)
• NIRF 2025: Medical 27; Overall band 101–150
• Popular courses: MBBS, B.Sc Nursing, MD/MS, DM/MCh
• Admission via: NEET UG (MBBS, through MCC counselling); INI-CET for PG
• Approx. fees: nominal; total MBBS tuition is only a few thousand rupees (check the official prospectus)

3. IIM Bodh Gaya

IIM Bodh Gaya is the only Bihar business school in the national top 50. It moved up to rank 31 in NIRF 2025 Management, from 33 in 2024. It also runs a five-year Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) for students straight after Class 12.

• Established: 2015
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Management 31
• Popular courses: MBA, MBA (Hospital & Healthcare Management), MBA (Digital Business), IPM, PhD
• Admission via: CAT (MBA); IPMAT/JIPMAT (IPM)
• Approx. fees: roughly ₹18–20 lakh for the two-year MBA (2025–27 batch estimates)

4. NIT Patna

NIT Patna is one of the oldest engineering institutes in India, tracing its roots to 1886. It was renamed NIT Patna in 2004. In NIRF 2025, it ranked 53rd in Engineering. Its campus sits on the banks of the Ganga in the heart of the city.

• Roots: 1886 (Bihar College of Engineering from 1924; NIT since 2004)
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Engineering 53
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE, ECE, Electrical, Civil, Mechanical), B.Arch, M.Tech, MCA
• Admission via: JEE Main + JoSAA/CSAB counselling
• Approx. fees: around ₹1.5–2 lakh per year for B.Tech (2025; fee waivers by income category)

5. Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna

CNLU is Bihar's national law university and one of the stronger NLUs in eastern India. It climbed to rank 17 in NIRF 2025 Law. Students choose it for the five-year integrated law degree and moot court culture.

• Established: 2006
• Type: State law university (NLU)
• NIRF 2025: Law 17
• Popular courses: BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD
• Admission via: CLAT
• Approx. fees: check the official CNLU website for the current fee schedule

6. Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Pusa

RPCAU at Pusa in Samastipur district is the best-ranked agricultural university in Bihar. It placed 14th in NIRF 2025 Agriculture and also appears in the University category (band 101–150). It became a central university in 2016, after decades as a state agricultural university.

• Central university since: 2016
• Type: Central agricultural university
• NIRF 2025: Agriculture 14; University band 101–150
• Popular courses: B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture, B.Tech Agricultural Engineering, B.F.Sc, M.Sc, PhD
• Admission via: CUET-UG / ICAR quota; university entrance for some programmes
• Approx. fees: modest public-university fees; check the official website

7. Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), Gaya

CUSB is a fast-growing central university on a 300-acre campus at Panchanpur near Gaya. In NIRF 2025, it entered the Law list at rank 23, placed 63rd in Pharmacy and sits in the 151–200 band of the University category.

• Established: 2009 (renamed CUSB in 2014)
• Type: Central university
• NIRF 2025: Law 23, Pharmacy 63, University band 151–200
• Popular courses: Integrated BA/B.Sc B.Ed, BA LLB, B.Pharm, M.Sc, MA, PhD
• Admission via: CUET-UG / CUET-PG
• Approx. fees: low; many PG programmes cost roughly ₹20,000–60,000 in total (approx.)

8. Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour

BAU at Sabour in Bhagalpur district is the state's own agricultural university. It ranked 36th in NIRF 2025 Agriculture. It suits students who want to work in farming, horticulture, food technology or agricultural research in Bihar.

• Established: 2010
• Type: State agricultural university
• NIRF 2025: Agriculture 36
• Popular courses: B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Technology, M.Sc, PhD
• Admission via: Bihar state entrance (BCECE-based) and ICAR quota
• Approx. fees: low government-university fees; check the official website

9. Nalanda University, Rajgir

Nalanda University was re-established by an Act of Parliament in 2010 near the ruins of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara. It is an international university and an Institution of National Importance, with its new net-zero campus inaugurated in June 2024. It is not ranked by NIRF, mainly because it is young and mostly postgraduate.

• Established: 2010 (teaching began in 2014)
• Type: Institution of National Importance (international university)
• NIRF 2025: Not ranked
• Popular courses: MA/M.Sc in Buddhist Studies, Historical Studies, Ecology and Environment, Sustainable Development, PhD
• Admission via: University application and selection process
• Approx. fees: check the official website

10. Patna University

Founded in 1917, Patna University is one of the oldest universities in the Indian subcontinent. Its colleges, such as Patna Science College and Patna College, are well known across the state. It did not appear in the NIRF 2025 rankings, although it was in the state public university 51–100 band in 2024.

• Established: 1917
• Type: State university
• NIRF 2025: Not ranked
• Popular courses: BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, BCA, MA, M.Sc, law
• Admission via: Patna University entrance tests / merit (varies by course)
• Approx. fees: very low, often a few thousand rupees a year

11. IIIT Bhagalpur

IIIT Bhagalpur is one of the IIITs set up in public-private partnership mode, with the Centre, the Bihar government and BELTRON as partners. It began classes in 2017 and focuses on computer science and electronics. It is not ranked by NIRF yet.

• Started: 2017
• Type: Institute of National Importance (PPP mode)
• NIRF 2025: Not ranked
• Popular courses: B.Tech CSE, ECE, Mechatronics, M.Tech, PhD
• Admission via: JEE Main + JoSAA counselling
• Approx. fees: check the official website (PPP IIIT fees are usually higher than NIT fees)

12. Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU), Motihari

MGCU was created by the Central Universities (Amendment) Act, 2014 and began functioning in 2016 in Motihari, East Champaran. It serves north Bihar and offers affordable UG and PG courses. It is not ranked by NIRF.

• Started: 2016
• Type: Central university
• NIRF 2025: Not ranked
• Popular courses: BA, B.Sc, B.Com, MA, M.Sc, MBA, B.Ed, PhD
• Admission via: CUET-UG / CUET-PG
• Approx. fees: low central-university fees; check the official website

Other names worth knowing are NIPER Hajipur (NIRF 2025 Pharmacy rank 30) and Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna, a state university set up in 2008 that affiliates many engineering, medical and professional colleges in Bihar. Aryabhatta Knowledge University is not ranked by NIRF.

How admission works at top universities in Bihar

Most top institutes in Bihar admit students through national entrance exams. Your route depends on the course you want.

1. Engineering (IIT, NIT, IIIT): Take JEE Main. IIT Patna needs JEE Advanced as well. Seats are filled through JoSAA counselling.
2. Medicine (AIIMS Patna and state medical colleges): Clear NEET UG. AIIMS seats go through MCC counselling; state quota seats through Bihar's counselling.
3. Law (CNLU): Take CLAT. CUSB's law programme uses CUET.
4. Central universities (CUSB, MGCU, RPCAU): Apply through CUET-UG or CUET-PG conducted by NTA.
5. Management (IIM Bodh Gaya): CAT for MBA; IPMAT or JIPMAT for the five-year IPM after Class 12.
6. State-level courses: Bihar's BCECE Board conducts entrance tests for many state engineering, agriculture and paramedical seats.

Practise for these exams with the AISEE free test series to build speed and accuracy.

How to choose the right college in Bihar

A high NIRF rank is a useful signal, but it is not the only thing that matters. Think about your goals before you fill in choices.

• Match the category: Compare an institute's rank within your field. CNLU's Law rank matters more to a law aspirant than any overall list.
• Check placements and outcomes: Read official placement reports for median packages, not just the highest offer.
• Look at total cost: Add tuition, hostel, mess and exam fees. Central institutes often waive tuition for lower-income families.
• Consider location: IIT Patna is at Bihta, outside the city; CUSB is near Gaya; MGCU is in Motihari. Think about travel and living costs.
• Confirm recognition: Make sure the university is recognised by the UGC and, for professional courses, by bodies such as AICTE, NMC or BCI.

Scholarships and funding for students in Bihar

Studying at a top university in Bihar is affordable, but scholarships can still ease the burden. Several options are open to Bihar students.

• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): Central schemes such as post-matric scholarships for SC, ST, OBC and minority students, and the Central Sector Scheme for college students.
• Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme: Education loans of up to ₹4 lakh for higher studies under the state's Saat Nischay programme.
• Bihar post-matric scholarships: State schemes for eligible SC/ST/BC/EBC students, applied for through the state portal.
• Institute fee waivers: IITs, NITs and IIMs offer tuition waivers and need-based aid by family income.
• Merit scholarships: Exams like the AISEE scholarship for college students reward merit with financial support for engineering, medical and other courses.

You can also browse a wider list of scholarships after 12th in India to find schemes that match your course and category.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the No. 1 university in Bihar?

IIT Patna is the top-ranked institute in Bihar. It holds NIRF 2025 Overall rank 36 and Engineering rank 19, and it is the only Bihar institute in the Overall top 100.

Which is the best state university in Bihar?

Among state-run institutions, Chanakya National Law University (NIRF 2025 Law rank 17) and Bihar Agricultural University (Agriculture rank 36) have the best NIRF results. Patna University is the oldest and most popular general state university, but it was not ranked in NIRF 2025.

How many central universities are there in Bihar?

Bihar has three central universities: the Central University of South Bihar in Gaya, Mahatma Gandhi Central University in Motihari and Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University in Pusa. Nalanda University in Rajgir is a separate Institution of National Importance.

Is Patna University ranked by NIRF?

Patna University did not appear in the NIRF 2025 rankings. It was placed in the 51–100 band of the state public universities list in 2024.

Which exam do I need for admission to CUSB or MGCU?

Both universities admit students to most UG and PG programmes through CUET-UG and CUET-PG, conducted by the National Testing Agency.

Has NIRF 2026 been released?

At the time of this update, NIRF 2026 results had not been confirmed, so this guide uses NIRF 2025. Check nirfindia.org for the newest edition before making final decisions.

Which is the best medical college in Bihar?

AIIMS Patna is the best-ranked medical institute in Bihar, at rank 27 in the NIRF 2025 Medical category. Admission to its MBBS course is through NEET UG.

Conclusion: choosing among the top universities in Bihar

The top universities in Bihar in 2026 offer strong options in almost every field: IIT Patna and NIT Patna for engineering, AIIMS Patna for medicine, IIM Bodh Gaya for management, CNLU for law and RPCAU and BAU for agriculture. Central universities such as CUSB and MGCU give affordable access to quality degrees through CUET.

Your next step is simple: shortlist three to five institutes, note their entrance exams and deadlines, and start preparing early. Check the AISEE important dates as well, so you do not miss a chance to fund your studies.