Azim Premji University (APU) began in 2010 as a private not-for-profit university founded by Wipro Limited Chairman Azim Premji through the Azim Premji Foundation. It is recognised by the UGC under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) and has the highest NAAC A++ accreditation. Its education-for-social-change mission prepares students for work in development, education, policy and research.

In the NIRF 2024 Universities category, APU was placed in the 151-200 band. It has a 100-acre Bengaluru campus on Sarjapura Road, a 50-acre Bhopal campus and a 150-acre Ranchi campus. The three campuses serve 3,200+ students from 29 Indian states and together provide 2,500+ residential seats.

  • The 4-year BA (Hons) choices are Economics, English, History, Media Communication, Philosophy-Politics-Economics (PPE) and Social Science.
  • Students can pursue a 4-year B.Sc (Hons) in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.
  • APU runs 2-year MA programmes in Development Studies, Early Childhood Development, Economics and Education.
  • The university offers a 2-year M.Sc in Climate Change and Sustainability.
  • A 2-year MBA in Development Management is available.
  • The Master of Public Health (MPH) lasts 2 years.
  • PG Diploma options cover Development Leadership, Early Childhood Education and Educational Assessment.

The combined tuition and residential cost for a 4-year BA (Hons) or B.Sc (Hons) is INR 18,83,200. Two-year MA and M.Sc fees range from INR 4,66,700 to INR 7,30,700. Depending on family income and merit, students may receive partial or full support for tuition, hostel and food expenses. More than 140 partner organisations support career opportunities in education, development, public health and policy.

Admission Update: Applications for 2027 admissions are open. The UG and general PG Round 1 application deadline is 20 November 2026, followed by the National Entrance Test on 20 December 2026 and interviews from 4 to 8 January 2027. PG classes start in July 2027, while UG classes begin in August 2027.

Azim Premji University Admission Dates 2027

The published 2027 admission calendar includes separate timelines for undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA and selected diploma or certificate programmes. Only upcoming or ongoing events are listed below.

Event Date
MBA Development Management Round 2 application deadline 28 October 2026
Development Leadership application deadline 29 October 2026
Development Leadership panel interviews 26 to 30 October 2026
Local Development and Governance application deadline 31 October 2026
MBA Development Management Round 2 National Entrance Test 4 November 2026
MBA Development Management Round 2 personal interviews 11 to 12 November 2026
Local Development and Governance admission interview 12 to 13 November 2026
UG BA and B.Sc Round 1 application deadline 20 November 2026
PG Round 1 application deadline 20 November 2026
Local Development and Governance admission offers 30 November 2026
UG BA and B.Sc Round 1 National Entrance Test 20 December 2026
PG Round 1 National Entrance Test 20 December 2026
PG Round 1 personal interviews 4 to 8 January 2027
MBA Development Management Round 2 classes begin January 2027
Local Development and Governance first certificate begins 18 January 2027
PG Round 1 classes begin July 2027
UG BA and B.Sc Round 1 classes begin August 2027

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

Applicants may use the university entrance test or an accepted external examination, depending on the programme.

Programme Family Entrance Tests Accepted Duration
BA (Hons), Humanities and Social Sciences APU Entrance Test, CUET UG, SAT 4 years
B.Sc (Hons), Sciences APU Entrance Test, CUET UG, JEE Main, SAT 4 years
MA, M.Sc, MPH and MBA APU NET, CUET PG, GRE, GATE for science programmes 2 years
PG Diploma APU application and interview 1 year

Azim Premji University Courses and Fees

APU has 28 programmes spanning liberal arts, science, education, development and public health. The listed 4-year undergraduate cost includes tuition and residential charges of INR 80,000 per year.

Course Duration Eligibility Fee
BA (Hons): Economics, English, History, Media Communication, PPE and Social Science 4 years 10+2 from a recognised board, followed by APU Entrance Test, CUET UG or SAT INR 18,83,200
B.Sc (Hons): Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, IT, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology 4 years 10+2 with relevant subjects, followed by APU Entrance Test, CUET UG or JEE Main INR 18,83,200
MA in Development Studies, Early Childhood Development or Education 2 years Bachelor’s degree and APU NET or CUET PG INR 4,66,700
MA in Economics or M.Sc in Climate Change and Sustainability 2 years Bachelor’s degree in a relevant stream and APU NET INR 7,30,700
MBA in Development Management 2 years Bachelor’s degree and APU NET; work experience is preferred INR 3,25,000
MPH, Master of Public Health 2 years Bachelor’s degree in health or social sciences and APU NET INR 4,66,800
PG Diploma in Development Leadership, Early Childhood Education or Educational Assessment 1 year Bachelor’s degree and APU interview INR 76,500 to INR 1,04,000

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

Within the BA (Hons), the flagship PPE degree brings Philosophy, Politics and Economics into one interdisciplinary programme. APU’s MBA in Development Management is structured specifically for careers in India’s development and non-profit sectors, making it the only MBA of its kind in the country.

Azim Premji University Admission Process

Applicants can take APU’s entrance examination or submit an accepted external test score. The university considers test performance and a personal interview when making its final decisions.

UG Admission for BA (Hons) and B.Sc (Hons)

  1. Complete 10+2 through any recognised board. APU does not set a minimum marks requirement because selection depends on entrance-test and interview performance.
  2. Submit a score from the APU Entrance Test, CUET UG or SAT. JEE Main is also accepted for science streams.
  3. Attend a personal interview if shortlisted.
  4. For BA (Hons), applicants can come from any 10+2 subject stream.

Instead of relying on marks-based cutoffs, APU looks at writing ability, intellectual curiosity and awareness of social issues. It particularly encourages applications from rural students, first-generation learners and people with a record of social engagement.

PG Admission for MA, M.Sc, MBA and MPH

  1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in a relevant subject.
  2. Take APU NET or submit an accepted CUET PG, GRE or GATE score. GATE applies to science-based postgraduate study.
  3. Qualify through the written-test score and then complete a personal interview.
  4. For the MBA in Development Management, relevant experience in the development or social sector is also considered.

PG Diploma Admission

  1. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field.
  2. The programmes are aimed particularly at practising teachers and professionals working in development.
  3. Selection is based on the APU application form and a personal interview.

Azim Premji University Career Outcomes

Career routes for APU graduates include education, development work, public health, policy research, academia and the civil services. More than 140 organisations recruit from the university, while over 6,300 alumni work in India and other countries across social and development fields.

Career Pathway Typical Roles Employers / Sectors
Development Sector Programme Associate, Research Analyst, Project Officer NGOs, foundations, government schemes and UN agencies
Education Teacher, Curriculum Developer, Education Policy Analyst Government schools, EdTech organisations and education NGOs
Public Health Health Programme Officer, Epidemiologist, Policy Researcher Public health bodies, research institutes and MoPHW
Policy and Research Research Fellow, Policy Analyst, Think Tank Associate Policy foundations, government think tanks and academia
Civil Services IAS, IPS and State services Government of India and State governments

Students who want to start a social venture can receive support through the Social Enterprise Cell and the National Social Enterprise Idea Challenge. Several alumni have also established or co-founded organisations working in education and rural development.

Azim Premji University Rankings

APU has earned the highest Indian accreditation grade, NAAC A++. Despite being younger than many public universities in the same category, it was listed in the 151-200 band for universities in NIRF 2024.

Ranking Body Category 2024 Rank
NIRF Universities 151-200 band

Azim Premji University Campus and Infrastructure

APU’s main campus occupies 100 acres on Sarjapura Road in Bengaluru and has road connections to the city centre. Its other campuses cover 50 acres in Bhopal and 150 acres in Ranchi, where selected postgraduate and certificate courses are taught.

Academic blocks, a library and a student centre are part of the Bengaluru campus. Its boys’ and girls’ hostels provide more than 2,500 residential seats. APU has 270+ faculty members and runs over 100 clubs and co-curricular activities, including performing arts groups and social enterprise initiatives.

Most students live at the university, making residential life central to campus learning and community activities. The annual hostel charge is capped at INR 80,000 and is included in the stated programme cost.

Azim Premji University Scholarships

APU runs a wide-ranging university scholarship system. Its variable waivers may pay for tuition, hostel and food according to academic merit and family income. Eligible students from low-income households can receive a waiver of up to 100%.

Scholarship Type Eligibility Coverage
Need-Based Fee Waiver Family financial need assessed through income-linked slabs Partial or full waiver of tuition, hostel and food costs
Merit-cum-Need Waiver Strong APU Entrance Test performance together with financial need Variable support for tuition and hostel charges
Special Circumstances Grant First-generation college students and applicants from rural areas Extra assistance decided separately for each case

Students apply for a fee waiver when submitting their admission form. The financial aid office assesses every application separately, and a large share of APU students receive either partial or full financial assistance.

Azim Premji University vs Ashoka University vs O.P. Jindal Global University

Students considering private liberal arts education often compare APU with Ashoka University and O.P. Jindal Global University, both in Sonipat. Each is a UGC-recognised private university with courses connected to the humanities, social sciences and liberal arts.

Parameter Azim Premji University Ashoka University O.P. Jindal Global University
Location Bengaluru, with campuses in Bhopal and Ranchi Sonipat, Haryana Sonipat, Haryana
Established 2010 2014 2009
NAAC A++ A A++
Primary Focus Social change, development and education Liberal arts and sciences Law, policy, governance and global affairs
UG Fee for 4 Years INR 18.83 Lakhs, including hostel INR 25 to 35 Lakhs INR 20 to 30 Lakhs
Scholarship Need-based support with a waiver of up to 100% Need-based and merit-based support Merit-based support
NIRF 2024 151-200 in Universities Not in the top 200 Not in the top 200

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

APU is suited to students planning careers in teaching, development or work with a direct social impact. Ashoka offers a broad liberal arts curriculum supported by faculty with international academic backgrounds. Jindal is more relevant for students interested in law, policy, international relations and governance across its different schools.

Azim Premji University FAQs

Ques. Is Azim Premji University privately run?

Ans. Yes. Azim Premji University is a private not-for-profit institution founded by the Azim Premji Foundation in 2010, rather than a government university. The UGC recognises it under Sections 2(f) and 12(B), and it has NAAC A++ accreditation. Because it works on a not-for-profit basis, its surpluses return to the university and its scholarship fund.

Ques. How much does the 4-year BA (Hons) at APU cost?

Ans. Tuition and hostel charges together amount to INR 18,83,200 for the complete 4-year BA (Hons). The hostel component is INR 80,000 each year. Annual tuition increases from INR 3,57,300 in Year 1 to INR 4,25,600 in Year 4. Eligible students may receive need-based support covering up to 100% of the cost.

Ques. How are students selected for APU undergraduate courses?

Ans. Undergraduate selection involves an entrance-test score and a personal interview. Besides its own test, APU accepts CUET UG, JEE Main and SAT scores. For 2027 Round 1, applications close on 20 November 2026, the test is scheduled for 20 December 2026, and interviews take place from 4 to 8 January 2027. Grade 12 marks are not the main basis for selection.

Ques. Which careers are common after graduating from APU?

Ans. Graduates commonly enter education, development organisations, policy research, public health or the civil services. More than 140 partner organisations recruit APU students. Alumni also work with NGOs, think tanks and government programmes or continue into doctoral study and research. APU does not follow the usual placement-focused campus recruitment model.

Ques. Are residential facilities available at Azim Premji University?

Ans. Yes. APU is mainly residential, and its Bengaluru, Bhopal and Ranchi campuses have student hostels. Bengaluru alone provides more than 2,500 residential seats. The quoted programme fee includes the yearly hostel charge of INR 80,000.

Ques. Who should consider APU’s MBA in Development Management?

Ans. The programme is designed for people who want to manage non-profit organisations, government programmes or social enterprises. It is the only MBA in India created specifically for careers in the social and development sector. Its total 2-year fee is INR 3,25,000, which is much lower than the cost of most private business-school MBA programmes.