Patna University was established in 1917 by an Act of the Imperial Legislative Council, the first university in Bihar and the seventh oldest university in the modern Indian subcontinent. Its main campus sits on Ashok Rajpath, near Patna College, on the banks of the Ganges, with the Governor of Bihar as its ex-officio Chancellor.
Patna University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across Science, Arts, Commerce, Management, Law, Education, and Medicine, spanning its 8 faculties and affiliated constituent colleges.
Undergraduate admission and most postgraduate admission runs through the university's own Patna University Common Entrance Test (PUCET); some professional programmes, including BBA, BCA, B.Ed, and postgraduate Science programmes, use separate entrance tests. Research and PhD candidates sit a Research Entrance Test (RET) followed by an interview.
Patna University does not currently appear in NIRF's 2025 rankings, in either the University or State Public University category, checked directly against nirfindia.org; it had appeared in the 51-100 State Public University band in 2024 before falling out entirely the following year, consistent with Bihar having no state public university represented in NIRF 2025. It holds a NAAC grade of B+ with a CGPA of 2.55, Cycle 1, declared 9 August 2019.
Patna University has earned NAAC grade A with a CGPA of 3.12, placing it among accredited institutions recognised for teaching quality, research output, and campus infrastructure.
Programs at Patna University are approved by UGC — so your degree is recognised by employers, PSUs, and higher-education institutions across India and abroad.
Founded in 1917, Patna University brings 109+ years of institutional experience, strong alumni networks, and mature placement processes built over decades.
With 15,000 students and 600 faculty members (~25:1 ratio), the campus offers close mentorship alongside broad peer-learning and student-activity opportunities.
Being located in Patna, Bihar gives students access to internships, industry guest lectures, and a well-connected transport network — an advantage for placements and exposure.
Patna University's alumni include Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Chief Minister of Bihar and former Union Railway Minister; Jayaprakash Narayan, independence-era political theorist and activist, posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna; Ravi Shankar Prasad, former Union Minister for Law and Justice and for Communications and Electronics and IT; Jagat Prakash Nadda, BJP national president and former Union Health Minister; Rajiv Gauba, former Cabinet Secretary of India; and Bidhan Chandra Roy, physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, a Bharat Ratna recipient and the namesake of National Doctors' Day.
8 courses offered. Fees in INR lakhs.
| Course | Specialization | Duration | Total seats | Total fee | Avg package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) | Hons | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | Honours (General) | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| M.Com (Master of Commerce) | — | 24 months | — | ₹1.6L | — |
| MA (Master of Arts) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| MCA (Master of Computer Applications) | — | 24 months | — | ₹1.6L | — |
Campus size, faculty strength, hostel facilities, and academic infrastructure.
