List of Top Universities in Chhattisgarh 2026: NIRF Ranks & Fees

Looking for the top universities in Chhattisgarh for 2026? The state now has a full set of national institutes: an IIT, an NIT, an IIM, an AIIMS and an IIIT. It also has a central university at Bilaspur and several state and private universities in and around Raipur. This guide lists the 12 best options, with NIRF 2025 ranks, courses, admission routes and approx. fees.

We have used the NIRF 2025 India Rankings, released by the Ministry of Education on 4 September 2025. That is the latest edition we could verify. NIRF ranks institutes by category (Engineering, Medical, Management and so on), so we name the category every time. Several good universities in the state are not in any NIRF list, and we say so clearly.

Top 12 universities in Chhattisgarh at a glance

The order below is our editorial list. It weighs the NIRF 2025 category rank, the type of institute and how widely each is chosen by students. A rank in one category cannot be compared directly with a rank in another, so use the table as a starting point.

National institutes in Chhattisgarh (IIT, NIT, IIM, AIIMS)

These four are Institutes of National Importance set up by the Government of India. They have nationwide admission through common exams and fees subsidised by the Centre. For most students, they are the first choice in the state.

1. IIT Bhilai

IIT Bhilai is one of the newer IITs. It began in 2016 at a temporary campus in Raipur and now works from its own campus at Kutelabhata in Durg district. It has moved up quickly and holds the best NIRF Engineering rank in Chhattisgarh.

• Established: 2016
• Type: Institute of National Importance (Ministry of Education)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 72
• Popular courses: B.Tech in CSE, EE, ME, Data Science and AI, Mechatronics; M.Tech; M.Sc; PhD
• Admission via: JEE Advanced, then JoSAA counselling (B.Tech); GATE for M.Tech
• Approx. fees: about ₹2–2.5 lakh per year for B.Tech, before hostel and mess. Fee waivers apply for SC/ST/PwD and lower-income families.
• Website: iitbhilai.ac.in

2. NIT Raipur

NIT Raipur is the oldest engineering institute in the state. It started in 1956 as the Government College of Engineering and Technology, Raipur, and became a National Institute of Technology in 2005. It has a large alumni base in core industries such as steel, power and mining.

• Established: 1956 (NIT status in 2005)
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 86
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE, IT, ECE, EE, Mechanical, Civil, Metallurgy, Mining and more), B.Arch, M.Tech, MCA, MBA
• Admission via: JEE Main and JoSAA/CSAB counselling; 50% Home State quota for Chhattisgarh candidates
• Approx. fees: about ₹1.3–1.8 lakh per year for B.Tech including hostel (approx., 2025–26)
• Website: nitrr.ac.in

3. IIM Raipur

IIM Raipur was set up in 2010 and runs from a residential campus in Naya Raipur (Atal Nagar). In NIRF 2025 it ranked 15th in the Management category, the highest category rank of any institute in Chhattisgarh.

• Established: 2010
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Management rank 15
• Popular courses: two-year MBA (PGP), Executive MBA, PhD
• Admission via: CAT score, followed by IIM Raipur's own shortlist and interview process
• Approx. fees: roughly ₹17–20 lakh for the full MBA; check the latest fee on the official website
• Website: iimraipur.ac.in

4. AIIMS Raipur

AIIMS Raipur is one of the six new AIIMS created under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. It admitted its first MBBS batch in 2012. It is the top-ranked medical institute in the state on NIRF.

• Established: 2012
• Type: Institute of National Importance (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
• NIRF 2025: Medical rank 31
• Popular courses: MBBS, B.Sc (Hons) Nursing, paramedical B.Sc, MD/MS, DM/MCh
• Admission via: NEET UG through MCC counselling (MBBS); INI-CET for PG
• Approx. fees: very low. Total MBBS tuition is only a few thousand rupees, plus hostel charges.
• Website: aiimsraipur.edu.in

Best universities in Chhattisgarh: central, state and private

If you want a wider choice of subjects, such as arts, science, commerce, pharmacy, agriculture or law, these universities are the main options. Their NIRF positions are given where they could be confirmed.

5. Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur

GGV opened as a state university in 1983. It became a Central University under the Central Universities Act, 2009. It is the only central university in Chhattisgarh and takes students from all over India through CUET.

• Established: 1983 (central university since 2009)
• Type: Central University
• NIRF 2025: Pharmacy rank 47. Not in the University category list.
• Popular courses: B.Pharm, B.Tech (Institute of Technology), BA, B.Sc, B.Com, MA, M.Sc, MBA, PhD
• Admission via: CUET UG for undergraduate courses and CUET PG for most PG courses
• Approx. fees: low to moderate. Most UG courses cost under ₹20,000 a year; B.Tech and B.Pharm cost more.
• Website: ggu.ac.in

6. Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur

IGKV was set up on 20 January 1987 and is the state's agricultural university. Its main campus is on the historic Labhandi farm in Raipur, and it runs many agriculture colleges across Chhattisgarh. It is a strong choice for students interested in agriculture, horticulture and food technology.

• Established: 1987
• Type: State Agricultural University
• NIRF 2025: Agriculture and Allied rank 28; University band 151–200; State Public Universities band 51–100
• Popular courses: B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture, B.Sc Horticulture, B.Tech Agricultural Engineering, B.Tech Food Technology, M.Sc and PhD
• Admission via: Chhattisgarh PAT (by CG Vyapam) for state seats; ICAR AIEEA (through CUET) for the all-India quota
• Approx. fees: about ₹70,000 to ₹2.2 lakh for the full UG programme, depending on the course (approx.)
• Website: igkv.ac.in

7. Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur

PRSU, founded in 1964, is the oldest university in Chhattisgarh. It runs teaching departments on its Raipur campus and affiliates a large number of colleges in the region. It is a sensible, low-cost choice for postgraduate study in sciences, humanities and commerce.

• Established: 1964
• Type: State Public University
• NIRF 2025: State Public Universities band 51–100
• Popular courses: M.Sc, MA, M.Com, MBA, MCA, B.Pharm, M.Pharm, PhD
• Admission via: university entrance tests or merit for most PG courses; check each department's notice
• Approx. fees: low; most PG courses cost a few thousand to about ₹40,000 a year
• Website: prsu.ac.in

8. Kalinga University, Naya Raipur

Kalinga University is a private university in Naya Raipur. It is the highest-placed private university from Chhattisgarh in the NIRF 2025 University list.

• Established: early 2010s (the university gives 2013 in its overview)
• Type: Private (State Private University)
• NIRF 2025: University band 101–150
• Popular courses: B.Tech, BBA, BCA, B.Sc, B.Pharm, BA LLB, MBA, M.Sc
• Admission via: merit in Class 12 or the university's own process; NATA/other tests where a course needs it
• Approx. fees: moderate. Many UG courses cost about ₹60,000 to ₹1.5 lakh a year (approx.).
• Website: kalingauniversity.ac.in

9. Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Naya Raipur

HNLU was created by the Chhattisgarh government in 2003. It is named after Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah, former Chief Justice of India. It is one of the early National Law Universities and fills its seats through CLAT. HNLU does not appear in the NIRF 2025 Law top 40, but it is still the main option for a five-year law degree in the state.

• Established: 2003
• Type: State-funded National Law University
• NIRF 2025: Not in the Law top 40
• Popular courses: BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), LLM, PhD
• Admission via: CLAT UG / CLAT PG; there is a domicile quota for Chhattisgarh students
• Approx. fees: roughly ₹2.5–3.5 lakh per year including hostel (approx.)
• Website: hnlu.ac.in

10. IIIT Naya Raipur

Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee International Institute of Information Technology, Naya Raipur, opened in 2015. It was set up under a state law by the Chhattisgarh government together with NTPC. It focuses on computer science and electronics and fills its B.Tech seats through JoSAA.

• Established: 2015
• Type: State university (Govt of Chhattisgarh and NTPC)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering band 201–300
• Popular courses: B.Tech CSE, ECE, Data Science and AI; M.Tech; PhD
• Admission via: JEE Main and JoSAA counselling
• Approx. fees: check the official website; higher than NITs because it receives less central funding
• Website: iiitnr.ac.in

11. Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University (CSVTU), Bhilai

CSVTU was set up in 2005 as the state's technical university. Most private and government engineering, pharmacy and polytechnic colleges in Chhattisgarh are affiliated to it. It also runs its own teaching departments, including UTD Bhilai. CSVTU is not in NIRF 2025 lists, but you will probably deal with it if you study engineering in the state outside the national institutes.

• Established: 2005
• Type: State Technical University (affiliating)
• NIRF 2025: Not ranked
• Popular courses: B.Tech, M.Tech, B.Pharm, Diploma, MBA, MCA
• Admission via: state counselling by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) Chhattisgarh, based on CG PET or JEE Main as notified for the year
• Approx. fees: varies by college; government colleges are much cheaper than private ones

12. Amity University Chhattisgarh, Raipur

Amity's Chhattisgarh campus received its approval in 2014. It is part of the national Amity group and offers management, engineering, law and liberal arts courses on a campus near Raipur. It is not ranked in NIRF 2025, so compare its placements and faculty carefully with other options.

• Established: 2014
• Type: Private University
• NIRF 2025: Not ranked
• Popular courses: BBA, B.Com (Hons), B.Tech, BA LLB, BA, MBA
• Admission via: Amity's own application process and interview; Class 12 marks
• Approx. fees: higher than state universities; check the official website

How admission works in Chhattisgarh universities

Plan your entrance exams by the course you want, not by the college name.

1. Engineering at IIT Bhilai: qualify JEE Main, write JEE Advanced, then fill choices in JoSAA counselling.
2. Engineering at NIT Raipur and IIIT Naya Raipur: JEE Main rank plus JoSAA (and CSAB special rounds). Chhattisgarh domicile students get the Home State quota at NIT Raipur.
3. State engineering colleges (CSVTU-affiliated): state counselling by DTE Chhattisgarh, using CG PET or JEE Main as notified for the year.
4. Medical (MBBS, BDS): NEET UG is compulsory. AIIMS Raipur seats go through MCC counselling. State medical college seats go through Chhattisgarh state counselling.
5. Central university (GGV): CUET UG for bachelor's courses and CUET PG for most master's courses.
6. Agriculture (IGKV): Chhattisgarh PAT for state seats, or ICAR's all-India quota through CUET.
7. Law (HNLU): CLAT UG for the five-year LLB and CLAT PG for LLM.
8. Management (IIM Raipur): CAT, followed by the institute's shortlisting and interview.

Keep a calendar of these exams and of scholarship test dates. Our important dates page can help you plan the year.

How to choose the right college in Chhattisgarh

A high NIRF rank is useful, but it is only one factor. Use these checks before you lock your choices.

• Match the category: compare engineering colleges on the Engineering list and medical colleges on the Medical list. Do not compare IIM Raipur's rank with IIT Bhilai's.
• Branch versus brand: at JoSAA, a branch you like at NIT Raipur may suit you better than an unwanted branch at a bigger name.
• Check recognition: confirm that a private university appears on the UGC website, and that professional courses have AICTE, PCI, BCI or NMC approval.
• Look at real placement reports: institutes publish median salary data in their NIRF submissions. Median figures are more honest than the "highest package".
• Total cost: add hostel, mess, travel and books to the tuition fee. A cheaper government seat can save several lakh rupees over four years.

Scholarships and funding for students in Chhattisgarh

Many students in the state combine more than one form of support.

• Fee waivers at IITs, NITs and IIITs: full tuition waiver for SC/ST/PwD students and for families with low annual income, as per Ministry of Education rules.
• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): central schemes such as post-matric scholarships and the Central Sector Scheme for college students.
• Chhattisgarh state scholarships: post-matric scholarships for SC, ST and OBC students through the state's scholarship portal.
• Merit-based scholarships: the AISEE scholarship for engineering, medical and other courses rewards students on the basis of a national scholarship exam and can be used at participating colleges.

For a wider list of schemes, see our guide to scholarships after 12th in India.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the No. 1 university in Chhattisgarh?

It depends on the subject. In NIRF 2025, IIT Bhilai is the top engineering institute (rank 72), IIM Raipur is the top management school (rank 15) and AIIMS Raipur is the top medical institute (rank 31). Among general universities, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya is the only central university, and Kalinga University is in the University band 101–150.

Is there a central university in Chhattisgarh?

Yes. Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Bilaspur became a central university in 2009. It admits students through CUET UG and CUET PG.

Which is better, IIT Bhilai or NIT Raipur?

IIT Bhilai has the better NIRF 2025 Engineering rank (72 against 86) and is entered through JEE Advanced. NIT Raipur is older and has a larger alumni network and a 50% Home State quota for Chhattisgarh students. Choose based on your rank, branch and career plans.

Is HNLU Raipur ranked in NIRF 2025?

No. HNLU Raipur does not appear in the NIRF 2025 Law ranking, which lists the top 40 institutions. It is still a CLAT-based National Law University with a domicile quota for state students.

How can I get admission to AIIMS Raipur for MBBS?

You must qualify NEET UG and take part in MCC counselling for AIIMS seats. Because AIIMS fees are very low, the cut-off ranks are high, so a strong NEET score is needed.

Are private universities in Chhattisgarh good?

Some are. Kalinga University is in the NIRF 2025 University band 101–150, while several others are not ranked. Check UGC recognition, course approvals, faculty and placement records before paying any fee.

Conclusion: choosing among the top universities in Chhattisgarh

The top universities in Chhattisgarh in 2026 cover every major field. For engineering there are IIT Bhilai and NIT Raipur, for management IIM Raipur and for medicine AIIMS Raipur. GGV, IGKV, PRSU, Kalinga and HNLU give strong choices for science, agriculture, humanities and law. Start by picking your field, then target the right entrance exam and compare the NIRF category rank, fees and placements.

Your next step: shortlist three to five institutes from the table, note their exam dates, and plan your funding early. You can practise with the AISEE free test series while you prepare.