Top 11 Universities for MA English in India - 2026 Rankings

We have listed Top Universities for MA English in India 2026 with the latest ranking. 

In addition, we have included important details related to the MA English entrance test and admission details for each university.

In India, MA English is quite popular due to a lot of interest in English literature. 

Moreover, after MA English there are a wide variety of career opportunities available in India.

The career in teaching, media and writing after MA English are the major career opportunities that also offer a great lifestyle.

However, in order to build a great career after MA English, you will need to get admission in one of the top MA English Universities in India. 

The list here will be a great help for you to select the best MA English university in India 2026 as per your requirements.

At the end of the article, you will find a comment box, feel free to use it for asking questions.

1. Arts Faculty – Delhi University, Delhi

The Delhi University is the 5th ranked in NIRF 2025 (National Institutional Ranking Framework) University category.

In Delhi University, the Arts Faculty department offers its most sought-after MA English programme. 

The DU’s Arts Faculty is the hub in India for the English Literature scene as it attracts not only students across India but also artists and authors. 

Often you can visit the special seminars being conducted by India’s finest writers, and renowned media personalities here.

The Arts Faculty Department was established in 1922, which is the same year Delhi University was established. 

There are two Post Graduation courses offered at DU’s Arts Faculty – MA in English, and PhD. in English Literature.

Following are the important details about MA English in DU:

Admission: on the basis of CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper score. 

Total Seats: 526 (view DU MA English Seat Matrix here)

Eligibility Criteria: There are two categories, you can take admission in one of the categories: 

• C1 Category: Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University 
• C2 Category: B.A. (Hons.) in English from University of Delhi

Admission will be based on the CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper score.

Cut Off: score up to 200-210 (General category) out of 300 in CUET PG English LAQP01 will help you secure a seat. 

Official Website: https://www.du.ac.in/ 

Department: https://www.english.du.ac.in/

2. Centre of English Studies – Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is ranked 2nd as per the NIRF 2025 in University category.

The Centre of English Studies at JNU offers an MA English course. 

As per QS World University Ranking, CES at JNU is one of the top 100 departments of English in the world.

That’s why, not only students from India but across the globe apply for the courses here.

Again admission is provided on the basis of CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper score and simultaneously meeting the course eligibility criteria.

As there are only 39 seats for MA English, therefore the competition is severe. 

Therefore, you have to be top scorer in CUET PG English in order to secure a seat here.

Nevertheless, with effective preparation, you can hope to crack it. 

Getting a seat in JNU for MA English is a lucrative opportunity because JNU has produced many top authors, journalists, artists and experts in India.

Following are the important details about MA English at JNU:

Admission: on the basis of CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper score.

Total Seats: 39 (UR (Unreserved) – 15 seats; OBC (Other Backward Classes) – 11 seats; SC (Scheduled Castes) – 6 seats; EWS (Economically Weaker Section) – 4 seats; ST (Scheduled Tribes) – 3 seats; PWD (Persons with Disabilities) – 2 seats

Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor‘s degree in any discipline under 10+2+3 pattern of education with at least 50% marks.

Cut Off: score up to 250-60 (General category) out of 300 in CUET PG English LAQP01 will help you secure a seat. 

Official Website: https://www.jnu.ac.in/ 

Department: https://www.jnu.ac.in/sllcs/ces

3. Department of English – Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi

As per NIRF 2025 rankings, Jamia Millia Islamia University is ranked 4th under the university category above Delhi University. 

Moreover, it is one of the central universities in India that has a reputation for offering top quality education and a great lifestyle.

There are in total 40 seats in the MA English course at JMI University. 

In order to secure a seat in MA English, you will need to appear in Jamia’s MA English entrance. 

The JMI University MA English Entrance exam pattern is objective (40 marks) combined with subjective (60 marks).

The MA English Entrance exam of JMI University usually takes place around April or May month of the year. 

JMI University is particularly popular for its wide spectrum of alumni that have become top authors, actors, artists in India.

Following are the important details about MA English at JMI University:

Admission: on the basis of MA English Entrance conducted by JMI University.

Total Seats: 40

Eligibility Criteria: B.A./ B.Sc. or B.A./B.Sc./B.Com.(Hons.) Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks in aggregate or in the subject concerned.

Cut Off: 60-70 score out of total 100 marks in JMI University’s MA English Entrance exam.

Official Website: https://jmi.ac.in/

Department: https://www.jmi.ac.in/english

4. School of English Language Education – EFLU (English And Foreign Languages University), Hyderabad

The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) has its main campus in Hyderabad and others in Lucknow and Shillong. 

It is a lesser known central university, accredited with NAAC ‘A’ grade, and popular among English literature circles.

The Hyderabad Campus of EFLU is the most popular of all, and MA English Cafeteria is its the most sought after course.

If you’re looking for a campus dedicated to literature and languages in India, then EFLU is the best place for this. 

Admission to EFLU’s English Literature and Language PG courses is one the basis of CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper score.

Following are the PG English Literature and Language courses at EFLU, in which admission is offered on the basis on CUET PG English score: 

• MA English (Cafeteria) (Hyderabad Campus)
• MA English (Shillong and Lucknow Campus)
• MA English Language Teaching (Hyderabad Campus)
• MA English Literature (Hyderabad and Shillong Campus)
• MA Literatures in English (Hyderabad Campus)
• MA Journalism and Mass Communication (Hyderabad and Shillong Campus)
• MA Literary and Cultural Studies (Hyderabad Campus)
• MA Comparative Literature (Hyderabad Campus)
• MA Linguistics (All Campuses)
• MA Computational Linguistics (Hyderabad Campus)
• MA Language, Literature, Media and Culture (Hyderabad Campus)
• MA Film Studies (Hyderabad Campus)

EFLU’s multidisciplinary approach to English literature and foreign university collaborations makes it even more exciting to pursue an MA English course there. 

In addition, it is a central university, you get a high-quality education much like in DU or JNU.

Admission: on the basis of CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper score. 

Seats:

• MA English (Cafeteria) (Hyderabad Campus) – 90 seats
• MA English (Shillong and Lucknow Campus) – 20 seats in each campus
• MA English Language Teaching (Hyderabad Campus) – 20 seats
• MA English Literature (Hyderabad and Shillong Campus) – 20 seats in each campus
• MA Literatures in English (Hyderabad Campus) – 20 seats
• MA Journalism and Mass Communication (Hyderabad and Shillong Campus) – 20 seats in each campus
• MA Literary and Cultural Studies (Hyderabad Campus) – 20 seats
• MA Comparative Literature (Hyderabad Campus) – 20 seats
• MA Linguistics (All Campuses) – 20 seats in each campus
• MA Computational Linguistics (Hyderabad Campus) – 20 seats
• MA Language, Literature, Media and Culture (Hyderabad Campus) – 20 seats
• MA Film Studies (Hyderabad Campus) – 20 seats

Eligibility Criteria: click here to view all PG English Language and Literature courses at EFLU

Cut Off: score up to 210-20 (General category) out of 300 in CUET PG English LAQP01 will help you secure a seat. 

Official Website: http://www.efluniversity.ac.in/index.php

5. School of Humanities – Hyderabad Central University (UoH), Hyderabad

On NIRF 2025 university category list, Hyderabad Central University is the top 18th ranked in India.

Apart from being a central university, UoH is also one of the top South Indian universities in India. 

Moreover, UoH boasts of one of the largest campuses in India of 2300 acres with rich biodiversity and greenery within the campus.

If you are seeking to pursue MA English in South India, then Hyderabad Central University has been on top of your list.

There are three different PG courses on English Literature and Language at UoH namely: 

• MA English (56 seats)
• MA Comparative Literature (30 seats)
• MA English Language Studies (26 seats)

The admission to all these PG courses are on the basis of CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper score. 

As seats are less and UoH being the top ranked and popular university therefore, competition is very high.

That’s why cut offs are also for admission here on par with EFLU.

Following are the important details about PG English Literature courses at UoH:

Admission: on the basis of CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper score. 

Seats & Eligibility Criteria: click here to view seat matrix and eligibility criteria for all English literature courses at UoH

Cut Off: score up to 220-30 (General category) out of 300 in CUET PG English LAQP01 will help you secure a seat. 

Official Website: https://uohyd.ac.in/

Department: https://soh.uohyd.ac.in/english/

6. Department of English, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

As per the NIRF 2025 (university category), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is India’s top 6th ranked university.

BHU is Uttar Pradesh’s top university, which is why it is one of the most sought after universities in North India particularly Hindi belt. 

BHU also has a large-sized main campus of 1300 acres and a south campus sized 2300 acres making it Asia’s one of the largest residential universities. 

Its Department of English offers an MA English programme, which is again one of the most sought after programmes in BHU. 

The admission is solely on the basis of the CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper score, and separately you’ve to meet university eligibility criteria. 

If you’re looking for a top University in North India particularly in Hindi belt, then you cannot miss BHU. 

Following are the important details about the MA English at BHU:

Admission: on the basis of CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper score. 

Seats: click here to view seat matrix for all English literature courses at BHU

Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor of Arts degree securing a minimum aggregate of 50% marks, with English as a Major subject studied in all the years. 

Cut Off: score up to 200-10 (General category) out of 300 in CUET PG English LAQP01 will help you secure a seat. 

Official Website: https://www.bhu.ac.in/ 

Department: https://www.bhu.ac.in/site/UnitHomeTemplate/1_86_533_Faculty-of-Arts-English

7. Department of English – Jadavpur University, Kolkata

Jadavpur University (JU) as per the NIRF 2025 is the no. 1 ranked university under the state category. 

Under the university category, JU is ranked 9th in India. 

It is the top university in India east, and if you’re from East India such as Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa or West Bengal then you cannot ignore this university at all. 

JU was established way back in 1955, since then it has been a top ranked university in India. 

The Department of English at Jadavpur University was founded in 1956. 

It is the only Centre of Advanced Study (CAS) in its discipline in India. 

This status was awarded to it in 2004 by the UGC (University Grants Commission).  

If you’re looking for a creative crowd, intellectual debates, open-minded environment and Bengali literature culture then JU is the best place to be. 

As of now, Jadavpur University is not part of CUET PG, therefore, you’ve to appear for the JU MA English Entrance test to secure a seat here.

The JU MA English Entrance test consists of 2 Parts. 

Part 1 consists of 30 MCQs of 60 marks and Part 2 has 1 essay type question of 40 marks. 

Following are the important details about MA English at JU: 

Admission: on the basis of JU MA English Entrance test paper score. 

Seats: 60

Eligibility Criteria: A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three years of formal instruction with Honours/Major/Specialization in any subject with at least 50% marks (45% for OBC category and 40% for SC/ST/PD/Sports category) (In case Honours/Major is not specified or mentioned in the mark-sheet for the BA Degree of an applicant, then he/she will not be eligible.)

Cut Off: varies each year

Official Website: https://jadavpuruniversity.in/ 

Department: https://jadavpuruniversity.in/academics/english/ 

8. Department of English and Cultural Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh

As per the NIRF 2025, Panjab University is 35th ranked in university category and 3rd ranked in state university category. 

PU’s department of English and Cultural Studies offers an MA English course, which is again very popular and attracts students from across India. 

Panjab University was established in 1882, making it one of the oldest running universities in India. 

Its 550 acres campus is situated in the heart of Chandigarh, which is again the capital of Punjab and also a Union Territory. 

If you’re looking for a more modern lifestyle, easier connectivity to Delhi, experience of Punjabi culture, and top quality education in Punjab then Panjab University cannot be missed. 

Moreover, there are 100 seats in MA English programme, which gives enough room for easily securing the seat. 

As of now, Panjab University is not participating in CUET PG, it has its own MA English Entrance test under the PU-CET (Panjab University Common Entrance Test). 

PU-CET MA English Entrance is a completely subjective paper, in which you will have four questions. 

One question will be based on a 400 word essay of 25 marks. 

The second question will be an unseen poem or comprehension of 20 marks. 

The third question is based on the Precis writing of 15 marks. 

The final question is based on Short answer-type questions of 15 marks. 

Following are the important details about the MA English course at PU: 

Admission: on the basis of PU MA English Entrance test paper score (PU-CET). 

Seats: 100

Eligibility Criteria: UG degree with minimum 45% marks in English elective or English compulsory subject or UG degree in any subject with aggregate 50% marks

Cut Off: varies each year (35% minimum passing marks in PU-CET MA English Entrance)

Official Website: https://puchd.ac.in/ 

Department: https://english.puchd.ac.in/

9. Department of English Language and Literature, Calcutta University, Kolkata

According to NIRF 2025, Calcutta University (CU) is ranked 39th in university category and 15th in state university category.

CU was established in 1857 making it one of the oldest running universities in India. 

The CU’s campus is based in the heart of Kolkata making it easier to access all prime areas of Kolkata. 

The Department of English Language and Literature at CU is more than 100 years old making it one of the oldest English departments in Asia, established in 1907. 

Calcutta University boasts of popular alumni such as Rabindranath Tagore, Subhash Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda, C.V. Raman, Amartya Sen, Pranab Mukherjee, and Nirad C. Chaudhuri.

Getting an admission is also not that much hassle here. 

All you need is to score well in CU’s MA English Entrance test (CU is not part of CUET PG). 

The CU’s MA English Entrance test is offline (pen and paper) consisting of 50 MCQs. 

There are a total of 274 seats in MA English, which again gives you an easy opportunity to get admission here. 

But it is important to note that 60% of seats are reserved for CU BA English Honors students and the rest 40% are open for all. 

Following are the important details about MA English at CU:

Admission: on the basis of CU MA English Entrance test paper score. 

Seats: 274 (40% available for Non-CU candidates)

Eligibility Criteria: BA English Honors degree from a UGC recognized university with 50% aggregate marks (general category) or 45% in case of reserved category.

Cut Off: 60-70 marks out of total 100 marks

Official Website: https://www.caluniv.ac.in/

Department: https://www.caluniv.ac.in/academic/English.html

10. English Department, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune

As per the NIRF 2025, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) is 56th ranked in university category and 11th in state university category. 

There are more than 800 colleges affiliated to SPPU making it the largest university by number of affiliated colleges in India. 

Moreover, it is situated in the Pune city, which is considered the hub of education in India. 

The English Department of SPPU offers only 60 seats in MA English. 

This automatically increases the competition level for so few seats. 

The admission to MA English is not on the basis of CUET PG at SPPU. 

Instead, you will have to appear and score high marks in SPPU MA English Entrance to get admission here. 

SPPU MA English Entrance consists of 100 MCQs and is conducted in CBT (computer based test) mode.

So, if you’re looking for a modern city life, easier connectivity to Mumbai and nearby states such as Goa and Karnataka, then SPPU could be your best bet. 

Following are the important details about MA English at SPPU: 

Admission: on the basis of SPPU MA English Entrance test paper score. 

Seats: 60

Eligibility Criteria: B.A with English Special OR General Subject.

Cut Off: 80-90 marks out of 100 marks in SPPU MA English Entrance.

Official Website: https://unipune.ac.in/ 

Department: https://unipune.ac.in/dept/fine_arts/english/default.htm

11. Department of English, Tezpur University, Tezpur

According to NIRF 2025, Tezpur University (TU) is 79th ranked in university category. 

It is a central university, which offers quality of education and infrastructure at par with DU and JNU. 

The department of English at Tezpur University offers MA English course with total seats of 63. 

TU is known for its lush green campus located in Tezpur city of Assam. 

Admission to MA English at TU is offered on the basis of CUET PG English LAQP01 test paper  score or TUEE (Tezpur University Entrance Exam). 

TUEE MA English Entrance consists of 100 MCQs. 

If you’re looking for a top university in North-East India that offers top quality education at par with DU and JNU, and situated in a scenic green region then Tezpur University should be on top of your list. 

Following are the important details about MA English at TU:

Admission: on the basis of CUET PG English LAQP01 or TUEE (Tezpur University Entrance Exams) test paper score. 

Seats: 63

Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree with Major/ Honours in English with at least 45% marks or equivalent grade point in the major or honours subject.

Cut Off: 200-10 in CUET PG English test paper

Official Website: https://www.tezu.ernet.in/ 

Department: https://www.tezu.ernet.in/deng/index.php

Apart from these top 11 universities for MA English, other notable universities are:

• GGSIPU (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University) Delhi
• Fergusson College, Pune University, Pune
• Ambedkar University (AUD) Delhi
• Pondicherry University (PU) Puducherry
• Central University of Rajasthan (CURAJ) Ajmer
• Presidency University Kolkata
• Loyola College Chennai

So, here we end our list of top universities for MA English course in India 2026.

I am sure, we must have missed a few colleges and universities.

Please help us make this list more exhaustive, use the comment box below for all your suggestions.

Have a question? Feel free to use the comment box below.