About AU
Allahabad in numbers (2024-25)
Placements by programme Students and faculty Research and funding
Source: The NIRF 2026 data return of University of Allahabad (IR-O-U-0548), as published on allduniv.ac.in Open the PDF. Figures are for 2024-25 unless a year is given; the university is responsible for them.
Allahabad NIRF ranking 2025 ranked in 2 lists
Student ratings: 3.7 on Collegedunia (785) · 4.1 on Careers360 (352) · 4.2 on CollegeDekho (69) See topic-wise →
Admission routes (4)
| Route | Level | Conducted by | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUET UG | UG | NTA | CUET UG guide Expected Jan |
| CUET PG | PG | NTA | CUET PG guide |
| NET/JRF | PhD | NTA | UGC NET guide |
| CLAT | UG/PG | NLU Consortium |
AU campus photos
4 photos
University of Allahabad (AU), located in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is one of India’s oldest and most respected central universities. Established in 1887 and granted central university status in 2005, AU offers over 150 courses across 50 departments at some of the lowest fees in Indian higher education. If you are planning to apply through CUET 2026 or researching central universities in North India, this guide covers everything you need to make the right decision.
University of Allahabad: Quick Facts 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Short Name | AU |
| Location | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh |
| Established | 1887 |
| Central University Since | 2005 (Allahabad University Act) |
| Total Students | 27,724 (2024-25, incl. 1,506 PhD scholars, NIRF data) |
| Total Courses | 150+ |
| Departments | 50 |
| NAAC Grade | B++ |
| Vice Chancellor | Prof. Sangita Srivastava |
| University type | Central University (Allahabad University Act 2005) |
| Address | Senate House Campus, University Road, Old Katra, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh 211002 |
| Contact | 0532-2460741 |
| registrar@allduniv.ac.in | |
| Official Website | allduniv.ac.in |
Why University of Allahabad Stands Apart
University of Allahabad is the fourth oldest university in India and the first major university in the Hindi belt. Its alumni include former Prime Ministers,
Chief Justices, and hundreds of IAS and IPS officers. But legacy alone is not why students choose AU in 2026.
The real advantage is a combination that is hard to find elsewhere: central government funding, ultra-low fees, scholarship access, and a 700-acre residential campus in a major city. Students from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand find AU particularly valuable because a full 3-year UG degree, including hostel, can be completed for under Rs. 2 lakh total.
As a central university, AU students are automatically eligible for Central Sector
Scholarships, PM Scholarship, OBC and SC/ST fee waivers funded by the Ministry of
Education, and UGC fellowships for PhD students. These benefits are not available at state universities or private colleges.
Courses Offered at University of Allahabad 2026
AU offers programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels across
Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, and Computer Science disciplines.
Undergraduate Programmes
Arts and Humanities: BA in History, Political Science, Economics,
Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, English, and Hindi.
Science: BSc in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, and Computer Science.
Commerce: BCom (General and Honours).
Law: LLB (5-year integrated) through CLAT.
Postgraduate Programmes
MA, MSc, MCom, and MCA programmes are available across most undergraduate disciplines. Admission is through CUET PG scores.
Doctoral Programmes
PhD programmes are offered in nearly all departments. Admission requires a valid
UGC-NET score. JRF-qualified students receive a monthly fellowship directly from UGC, making PhD at AU practically self-funded for meritorious candidates.
Expert tip: AU’s Law faculty and Humanities departments are historically the strongest and most competitive. Students targeting engineering or medical sciences should consider BHU or NIT Allahabad instead.
Admission 2026: How to Apply
University of Allahabad conducts admissions through four national-level routes depending on the programme you are applying for.
CUET UG 2026 (Undergraduate Admission)
All BA, BSc, and BCom admissions happen through CUET UG scores. NTA conducts
CUET UG typically in May each year. AU prepares its merit list based entirely on
CUET scores, not Class 12 percentage. This is a significant advantage for students from boards with stricter marking patterns like UP Board or Bihar Board.
CUET PG 2026 (Postgraduate Admission)
MA, MSc, MCom, and MCA admissions require a valid CUET PG score. AU releases a separate merit list after CUET PG results are declared.
NET/JRF (PhD Admission)
PhD admissions require UGC-NET qualification. After shortlisting, AU conducts an interview round for final selection.
CLAT (Law Admission)
The 5-year integrated LLB programme admits students through CLAT scores. AU is part of the CLAT consortium. General category cutoff has historically been around the 55th percentile for this campus.
Always verify exact dates at nta.ac.in and
allduniv.ac.in as NTA releases official schedule annually.
SC and ST students enrolled at AU are eligible for full tuition fee waivers under central government schemes.
No private college in India offers comparable academic quality at this cost.
PhD students with JRF qualification receive Rs. 37,000 per month for the first two years and Rs. 42,000 per month from the third year onwards, paid directly by
UGC. This makes doctoral education at AU effectively free for qualified candidates.
Placements: An Honest Assessment
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Average Package | Median Rs. 6.8 lakh a year (3-year UG, 2024-25, NIRF data) |
A 45% placement rate needs context. The majority of AU’s Humanities, Law, and
Social Science graduates pursue UPSC, state PCS, judiciary exams, and UGC-NET rather than campus placements. None of these outcomes appear in placement statistics. When competitive exam selections are included, AU’s graduate employment picture is considerably stronger than this number suggests.
Law graduates primarily pursue litigation, judicial services, and law firm opportunities through bar exams.
Bottom line: AU is an excellent choice for academic depth, research, government exam preparation, and law. If your only goal is a high private sector package immediately after graduation, specialised technical institutions will serve you better.
University of Allahabad vs Other Central Universities in UP
| University | Best For | NAAC |
|---|---|---|
| University of Allahabad | Humanities, Law, UPSC Prep | B++ |
| BHU (Banaras Hindu University) | All-round, Medical, Engineering | A++ |
| AMU (Aligarh Muslim University) | Engineering, Medical, Law | A+ |
Campus and Student Life
The 700-acre campus in Prayagraj is one of the largest and greener university campuses in North India. Heritage sandstone buildings coexist with modern faculty blocks. Key facilities include a central library with lakhs of volumes and digital journal access, separate men’s and women’s hostels, a student canteen, sports grounds, gymnasium, and a health centre.
The campus is approximately 3 km from Prayagraj Junction railway station with regular auto and city bus connectivity. Prayagraj itself is a major administrative and education hub with affordable student accommodation options around the campus.
AU has a democratically elected student union, active departmental societies, and a notably strong culture of civil services preparation among students. Study groups, mock test series, and competitive exam coaching run informally across hostels and departments.
Rankings and Accreditation
University of Allahabad holds a NAAC B++ accreditation, confirming it meets national benchmarks across teaching, research, infrastructure, and governance.
While the university currently falls outside the NIRF top 100, its academic reputation in Humanities and Law, particularly across North India, significantly exceeds what ranking numbers alone convey.
Contact Information
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Vice Chancellor | Prof. Sangita Srivastava |
| Phone | 0532-2460741 |
| registrar@allduniv.ac.in | |
| Website | allduniv.ac.in |
| Address | University Road, Prayagraj, UP 211002 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Allahabad good for UPSC preparation?
Yes. AU’s Humanities faculty, central library, and campus peer culture make it one of the better environments for parallel UPSC preparation in North India. Many students use their UG or PG years at AU to simultaneously prepare for civil services.
What is the CUET cutoff for University of Allahabad 2026?
AU does not publish a fixed CUET cutoff in advance. Cutoffs are determined after each year’s merit list based on available seats and candidate scores. Historically,
Humanities programmes have been accessible at moderate CUET percentiles, while popular science and law programmes are more competitive.
Is hostel available in the first year at AU?
Hostels are allotted based on merit and distance from home district. Students from outside Uttar Pradesh typically receive priority. Apply for hostel immediately after admission confirmation to improve your chances.
Does AU consider Class 12 marks for admission?
No. For most UG and PG programmes, University of Allahabad uses CUET scores as the sole basis for merit list preparation. Class 12 percentage is not independently considered, which benefits students from boards with stricter marking patterns.
Can SC and ST students get free education at University of Allahabad?
Yes. SC and ST students are eligible for full tuition fee waivers under central government schemes at all central universities including AU. Additional scholarships from the Ministry of Education are also available for eligible students.
What is the difference between University of Allahabad and Allahabad State University?
University of Allahabad (allduniv.ac.in) is a central university funded and governed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Allahabad State University is a separate state university under the Uttar Pradesh government. The two are entirely different institutions with separate admissions, fees, and funding structures.
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