Education in India

Central Universities

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

Established in 1985 by an Act of Parliament for introduction and promotion of Open University and distance education system in the Country.  Major objectives include widening of access to higher education.  During 2005 the University offered 101 programmes and the total number of students registered for various programmes reached over 3,60,000. Its Students 'Supports Services consist of 48 Regional Centres, six Sub Regional Centres and 1200 Study Centres.  IGNOU programmes telecast on National Channel (DD-1) in the morning slot and Gyan Darshan, exclusive education channel.  At present, the University has bouquet of  six digital channels of Gyan Darshan,  Under the Gyan Vani FM Radio initiative, the University has set up 17 Radio Stations.  Today IGNOU has set up its study centres and has entered into collaboration with educational institutions in 35 countries. 

Distance Education Council (DEC) under IGNOU has the responsibility for coordination and maintenance of standards in open and distance education system in the country.

For further details visit IGNOU Home page http:/www.ignou.edu

Aligarh Muslim University

Established in 1920 as a fully residential Central University.  It has 102 Departments/Institutions/Centers/units grouped under 12 faculties.  It also maintains four Hospitals, six Colleges  (including Medical, Dental and Engineering Colleges), two Polytechnics and eight Schools.   Offers six diploma-level vocational courses exclusively for women. 19,703 students (excluding its secondary schools' strength) drawn from 25 States of the country are on its rolls.  Strength of the teaching staff  is 1,457 and that of non-teaching staff is 5,899. www.amu.nic.in

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

Came into existence in 1916 as a teaching and residential University.  It consists of three Institutions - Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Technology and Institute of Agrecultural Sciences. It has faculties with 121 academic departments and 4 Inter-diciplinary schools. It maintains a constituent Mahila Mahavidyalaya and three School level institutions.  1000-Bedded Modern/Ayurvedic Medicine Hospital. It has    14, 812 students in the rolls. Teaching staff 1,162 and non-teaching 7,088.