Kumaun University, DSB Campus was established on 23 November 1973 as a state public university under the Uttar Pradesh State Universities Act. Headquartered at the Dev Singh Bisht Campus in Nainital, Uttarakhand, it functions as both a residential and affiliating university. It was created by merging D.S.B. Government P.G. College, Nainital with Almora Government P.G. College. The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission and has a NAAC A Grade.

India Today Rankings 2026 places Kumaun University 25th among government universities. In NIRF 2024, it secured the 62nd position in the Pharmacy category.

The DSB Campus covers 160 acres in the Kumaon hills of Nainital. Across its constituent campuses and more than 100 affiliated colleges in Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts, the university serves over 1,50,000 students. Its academic options include regular, professional, integrated and research programmes.

  • Students can choose BA in 15 specialisations, including Economics, English, Geography, Hindi, History, Home Science, Drawing and Painting, Music, Political Science, Sanskrit, Sociology, Education, IT and Mathematics, along with BA Hons. in integrated Law.
  • B.Sc options cover Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Botany, Zoology, Computer Science, Information Technology, Geography and Geology, among others. B.Sc Forestry is also offered.
  • Commerce and management-related undergraduate choices include B.Com, B.Com Hons., BCA, BBA and BBA-LLB.
  • Other professional and specialised UG courses are B.Pharm, BFA, BA-LLB Hons., B.Ed, BHMTT in Hotel Management, Travel and Tourism, and BPES.
  • At the postgraduate level, MA is available in 15 disciplines, including Journalism, Yoga and Psychology. M.Sc subjects include Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science and Bioinformatics, among others.
  • Further PG choices include MBA in Rural Management, Tourism Management and Executive formats, along with M.Com, M.Ed, MFA, LLB, LLM, M.Pharm, MSW, M.Lib and PG Diploma programmes.
  • Ph.D. research is available across the major faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, Education, Law and Visual Arts.

Kumaun University Admission Dates 2027

The next Kumaun University admission cycle is expected to begin through the Samarth Portal for the 2027-28 academic session.

Event Date
Expected opening of UG applications for the 2027-28 session through the Samarth Portal April 2027

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

Kumaun University Courses and Fees

More than 100 UG, PG, integrated, professional and doctoral programmes are offered across eight faculties. Regular Arts and Science courses follow subsidised fee structures, while professional programmes have higher fees.

Course Duration Eligibility Fee
BA in Economics, English, Geography, Hindi, History, Sociology and other subjects 3 years 10+2 in any stream INR 12,315
B.Sc in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Computer Science and other subjects 3 years 10+2 in Science INR 7,080
B.Com or B.Com Hons. 3 years 10+2 in Commerce or any stream INR 2,160
BCA 3 years 10+2 with Mathematics INR 1,00,458
BBA 3 years 10+2 in any stream INR 69,222
BBA-LLB 5 years 10+2 in any stream INR 1,80,000
BA-LLB Hons. 5 years 10+2 in any stream with CLAT INR 38,000
B.Pharm 4 years 10+2 with PCB and NEET INR 2,24,052
B.Sc Forestry or B.Sc Hons. Forestry 3 to 4 years 10+2 in Science INR 1,20,000
BHMTT in Hotel Management, Travel and Tourism 3 years 10+2 in any stream INR 2,80,000
MA in English, Hindi, History, Journalism, Psychology, Yoga and other subjects 2 years Graduation in the relevant discipline INR 4,080 to INR 34,382
M.Sc in Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics and other subjects 2 years B.Sc in the relevant discipline INR 1,20,000
MBA in General, Rural Management, Tourism Management or Executive format 2 years Graduation in any stream with KUET INR 85,000
M.Pharm 2 years B.Pharm with GPAT INR 2,50,000
MFA or BFA 2 years or 4 years Graduation or 10+2, as applicable INR 59,718 or INR 36,849
Standalone LLB 3 years Graduation in any stream INR 53,370

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

Regular BA and B.Sc courses use the state government fee rate. B.Pharm, M.Pharm, MBA, M.Sc and BCA follow separate professional fee structures. PG Diploma courses in PGDCA, Journalism, Tourism and Yogic Science cost between INR 14,656 and INR 15,696.

Kumaun University Admission Process

The selection method depends on the course. Regular UG seats are allotted mainly through Class 12 merit, while several PG, professional and research programmes require an entrance score or university-level assessment.

  1. Students must first confirm the eligibility rules for their selected programme.
  2. Applicants for regular BA, B.Sc and B.Com courses register through the Uttarakhand government’s Samarth Portal. Seats are allotted according to HSC or Class 12 marks.
  3. Applicants to applicable professional or PG courses must take KUET or submit the required national entrance score.
  4. Ph.D. applicants complete the required entrance or exemption process, submit a research proposal and attend an interview before the departmental research committee.
Programme Entrance Exam Accepted Admission Basis
BA, B.Sc, B.Com and B.Com Hons. None 10+2 merit through the Samarth Portal
BCA, BBA, BFA and B.Ed KUET for select programmes Merit or entrance test
B.Pharm NEET NEET score and merit
MA, M.Sc, M.Com, M.Ed and MBA KUET Entrance test and graduation marks
M.Pharm GPAT GPAT score and B.Pharm marks
LLB and LLM CLAT for integrated BA-LLB or merit for standalone courses CLAT score or graduation marks
Ph.D. UGC NET, CSIR NET or the university test Qualifying examination, research proposal and interview

BA, B.Sc and B.Com Regular UG Programmes

Regular BA, B.Sc and B.Com admission does not require an entrance examination. The university uses Class 12 results to prepare the merit-based seat allotment through the Samarth Portal.

  • BA applicants need 10+2 or an equivalent qualification in any stream.
  • B.Sc applicants must complete 10+2 in Science with PCM or PCB, depending on the specialisation.
  • B.Com and B.Com Hons. applicants need 10+2 in Commerce or an equivalent qualification.
  • Regular undergraduate applicants are selected without an entrance test.

Professional UG Programmes

BCA selection uses HSC merit and requires Mathematics, while BBA accepts students from a general 10+2 background. Select programmes may also use KUET. B.Pharm applicants need 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology together with a valid NEET score. BHMTT admission is based on HSC merit and is open to students from any stream. BA-LLB Hons. uses CLAT, while merit applies to standalone law programmes.

Postgraduate Programmes

Kumaun University conducts the subject-specific written Kumaun University Entrance Test each academic year for applicable PG courses. Applicants must also have a graduation degree in the relevant field.

  • MA requires graduation in the relevant Arts discipline with at least 45% aggregate.
  • M.Sc requires a B.Sc in the relevant science subject with at least 50% aggregate.
  • MBA applicants need any graduation degree with 50% aggregate and a KUET score.
  • M.Pharm requires a B.Pharm degree and a valid GPAT score.

Ph.D. Programmes

Ph.D. applicants need a postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks. Those qualified in UGC NET, CSIR NET or GATE do not have to take the university’s Ph.D. entrance test. Other applicants take the Research Aptitude Test conducted by Kumaun University. The process then includes a research proposal and an interview with the departmental research committee. Registration schedules are issued separately by the university.

Kumaun University Placements and Career Outcomes

A central placement cell operates from the DSB Campus. Campus recruitment mainly serves students from MBA, B.Pharm, M.Pharm, BCA, BBA and BHMTT. Many Arts and Science graduates instead choose competitive examinations, research fellowships or further study before seeking employment.

Graduates commonly follow these career routes:

  • MBA and BBA graduates find opportunities with banking, FMCG, hospitality and rural development organisations across Uttarakhand and North India.
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturers and research laboratories recruit B.Pharm and M.Pharm graduates.
  • Students completing M.Sc in Biotechnology, Environmental Science or Chemistry often pursue DST, DBT, ICMR and CSIR research fellowships.
  • UPSC, UKPSC, SSC, banking and state government examinations are common choices among BA and MA graduates.
  • BFA and MFA graduates move into government arts institutions, design studios and teaching roles.
  • BHMTT graduates work with hotels, travel agencies and tourism management organisations connected to the hill tourism sector.

The Nainital location helps the university maintain links with the hill tourism and hospitality sector, particularly for BHMTT and MBA Tourism Management students. Forestry and Environmental Science also draw research-focused students interested in forest services and ecological research.

Kumaun University Rankings

Kumaun University has been listed in national and international ranking systems for government universities, Pharmacy and overall university performance.

Ranking Body Category Rank Year
India Today Government Universities 25 2026
QS India Universities 81 to 85 band 2025
QS Asian University Universities in South Asia 901 to 950 band 2025
NIRF Pharmacy 62 2024

Kumaun University Campus and Infrastructure

The DSB Campus occupies 160 acres in Nainital at an altitude of 2,000 metres in the Kumaon Himalayas. Academic facilities support the Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Management and Visual Arts departments.

Facilities available at the DSB Campus include:

  • The Himalaya Museum, established in 1987, focuses on the archaeological, cultural and historical heritage of Uttarakhand.
  • The Central Library provides a large collection for graduate students and researchers from different faculties.
  • The UGC-HRDC, or Human Resource Development Centre, conducts faculty training and academic development programmes.
  • Departmental laboratories serve the Science, Pharmacy, Agriculture and Forestry faculties.
  • The constituent J.C. Bose Technical Campus at Bhimtal runs technology-focused programmes.

The university mainly serves students from the Kumaon and Terai regions, including learners from rural districts who use its lower-cost regular UG and PG programmes. Kumaun University has ISO 9001-2008 certification and Green Campus status. Its third campus, Meru Campus at Patwadangar, was under development as of 2026.

Kumaun University vs HNB Garhwal University vs Soban Singh Jeena University

Kumaun University, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University and Soban Singh Jeena University are three major universities serving different parts of Uttarakhand. Their applicant groups overlap, but their locations, administrative status and academic strengths differ.

Parameter Kumaun University, DSB Campus HNB Garhwal University Soban Singh Jeena University
Location Nainital, Kumaon Hills Srinagar Garhwal Almora
Established 1973 1973 2020, after separating from Kumaun University
Type Affiliating state public university Central university Affiliating state public university
NAAC Grade A A Not yet assessed because it is a new university
NIRF Pharmacy 62 in 2024 Not in the top 100 Not assessed
Key Strength Pharmacy, Forestry and lower-cost Arts and Science courses Science, Engineering and Geography Arts and Humanities for the hill region
Student Base 1,50,000, including students at affiliated colleges A comparably large student base A smaller student base as a new university

Kumaun University combines a nationally ranked Pharmacy programme with a Nainital location suited to tourism-related subjects. HNB Garhwal University receives the advantages associated with central university funding and has greater visibility in national rankings and research. SSJ University continues to organise and expand its academic programmes after separating from Kumaun University in 2020.

Kumaun University FAQs

Ques. Which NAAC grade has Kumaun University received?

Ans. Kumaun University is accredited with a NAAC A Grade. The assessment covers the constituent DSB Campus in Nainital and affiliated colleges within its jurisdiction in the Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts.

Ques. How much does the three-year BA programme at DSB Campus cost?

Ans. General category students pay a total BA fee of INR 12,315 for three years at Kumaun University’s DSB Campus in Nainital. The full three-year fee is INR 7,080 for B.Sc and INR 2,160 for B.Com under the university’s government-rate UG fee structure.

Ques. What selection method is used for regular UG admission at Kumaun University?

Ans. BA, B.Sc and B.Com seats are allotted through Class 12 merit after registration on the Uttarakhand government’s Samarth Portal. These regular UG courses do not require an entrance examination. Applications for the 2027-28 cycle are expected to begin in April 2027.

Ques. Where does Kumaun University stand in major university rankings?

Ans. NIRF 2024 ranked Kumaun University 62nd in Pharmacy. It was placed 25th among government universities by India Today Rankings 2026 and appeared in the 81 to 85 band in QS India 2025.

Ques. Is the university’s main campus located in Nainital?

Ans. Yes. The Dev Singh Bisht Campus in Nainital is Kumaun University’s administrative headquarters. The campus covers 160 acres in the Kumaon hills and contains departments from the Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Management and Visual Arts faculties.

Ques. What is the total fee for an MBA at Kumaun University?

Ans. The two-year MBA fee is INR 85,000. This amount applies to General MBA, Rural Management, Tourism Management and Executive specialisations. Selection considers the KUET score together with graduation marks.

Ques. What should B.Pharm applicants know about Kumaun University?

Ans. Kumaun University held the 62nd position in the NIRF 2024 Pharmacy category. B.Pharm applicants need a valid NEET score, and the total fee for the four-year programme is INR 2,24,052.