Kumaun University, DSB Campus is a state public university established on 23 November 1973 under the Uttar Pradesh State Universities Act. It is headquartered at the DSB (Dev Singh Bisht) Campus in Nainital, Uttarakhand, and serves as a residential-cum-affiliating university. The university was formed through the merger of D.S.B. Government P.G. College, Nainital and Almora Government P.G. College. It is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and holds NAAC A Grade accreditation.
As per NIRF 2024, Kumaun University is ranked 62nd in the Pharmacy category. It is ranked 25th among government universities in the India Today Rankings 2026.
The DSB Campus spans 160 acres in Nainital, nestled in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand. Kumaun University serves over 1,50,000 students across its constituent campuses and 100-plus affiliated colleges in Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts.
- BA (15 specialisations: Economics, English, Geography, Hindi, History, Home Science, Drawing and Painting, Music, Political Science, Sanskrit, Sociology, Education, IT, Mathematics, and more) and BA Hons. (Law integrated)
- B.Sc (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Botany, Zoology, Computer Science, Information Technology, Geography, Geology, and more) and B.Sc (Forestry)
- B.Com / B.Com Hons. and BCA / BBA / BBA-LLB
- B.Pharm, BFA, BA-LLB Hons., B.Ed, BHMTT (Hotel Management, Travel and Tourism), and BPES
- MA (15 disciplines including Journalism, Yoga, Psychology) and M.Sc across Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, Bioinformatics, and more
- MBA (Rural Management, Tourism Management, Executive), M.Com, M.Ed, MFA, LLB, LLM, M.Pharm, MSW, M.Lib, and PG Diploma programmes
- Ph.D. across all major faculties: Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, Education, Law, and Visual Arts
The total fees for BA is INR 12,315 over three years. B.Sc (standard stream) fees are INR 7,080. B.Pharm fees are INR 2,24,052 and M.Pharm fees are INR 2,50,000. MBA fees are INR 85,000 for two years. M.Sc fees are INR 1,20,000 for most disciplines.
Kumaun University operates a central placement cell at the DSB Campus. MBA and B.Pharm graduates are the most actively placed. Government examination and research pathways dominate career outcomes for Arts and Science graduates.
- Kumaun University Admission Dates 2026
- Kumaun University Courses and Fees
- Kumaun University Admission Process
- Kumaun University Placements and Career Outcomes
- Kumaun University Rankings
- Kumaun University Campus and Infrastructure
- Kumaun University vs HNB Garhwal University vs Soban Singh Jeena University
- Kumaun University FAQs
Kumaun University Admission Dates 2026
Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session at Kumaun University have been completed. UG registrations were conducted through the Samarth Portal and the last date was extended to July 2026. PG admissions were conducted through Kumaun University’s own entrance tests (KUET) for select programmes. Classes for the 2026-27 session are now underway.
| Event | Details | Status (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|
| UG Admissions (BA / B.Sc / B.Com) | Samarth Portal, merit-based | Concluded (July 2026) |
| PG Admissions (MA / M.Sc / MBA) | KUET entrance test + merit | Concluded |
| B.Pharm / M.Pharm Admissions | Merit-based (NEET / GPAT as applicable) | Concluded |
| Ph.D. Registrations | Research proposal + interview | As notified by university |
| Classes Commence (2026-27) | All programmes, constituent campuses | Commenced |
The table below lists the entrance requirements for each programme family at Kumaun University for the 2026-27 admission cycle.
| Programme | Entrance Exam Accepted | Admission Basis |
|---|---|---|
| BA / B.Sc / B.Com / B.Com Hons. | None | 10+2 merit (Samarth Portal) |
| BCA / BBA / BFA / B.Ed | KUET (for select programmes) | Merit or entrance test |
| B.Pharm | NEET | NEET score + merit |
| MA / M.Sc / M.Com / M.Ed / MBA | KUET | Entrance test + graduation marks |
| M.Pharm | GPAT | GPAT score + B.Pharm marks |
| LLB / LLM | CLAT (for integrated BA-LLB) / merit (for standalone) | CLAT score or graduation marks |
| Ph.D. | UGC NET / CSIR NET or university test | Qualifying exam + research proposal + interview |
Kumaun University Courses and Fees
Kumaun University offers over 100 programmes at the UG, PG, integrated, professional, and doctoral levels across eight faculties. As a state government university, it provides highly subsidised fees for regular Arts and Science programmes. Below is a summary of key programme families and their fees.
| Programme | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Economics, English, Geography, Hindi, History, Sociology, etc.) | 3 years | 10+2 any stream | INR 12,315 |
| B.Sc (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Botany, Zoology, Computer Science, etc.) | 3 years | 10+2 Science | INR 7,080 |
| B.Com / B.Com Hons. | 3 years | 10+2 Commerce / any | INR 2,160 |
| BCA | 3 years | 10+2 with Mathematics | INR 1,00,458 |
| BBA | 3 years | 10+2 any stream | INR 69,222 |
| BBA-LLB | 5 years | 10+2 any stream | INR 1,80,000 |
| BA-LLB Hons. | 5 years | 10+2 any stream + CLAT | INR 38,000 |
| B.Pharm | 4 years | 10+2 PCB + NEET | INR 2,24,052 |
| B.Sc (Forestry) / B.Sc Hons. (Forestry) | 3 to 4 years | 10+2 Science | INR 1,20,000 |
| BHMTT (Hotel Management, Travel and Tourism) | 3 years | 10+2 any stream | INR 2,80,000 |
| MA (English, Hindi, History, Journalism, Psychology, Yoga, etc.) | 2 years | Graduation in relevant discipline | INR 4,080 to INR 34,382 |
| M.Sc (Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, etc.) | 2 years | B.Sc in relevant discipline | INR 1,20,000 |
| MBA (General, Rural Management, Tourism Management, Executive) | 2 years | Graduation any stream + KUET | INR 85,000 |
| M.Pharm | 2 years | B.Pharm + GPAT | INR 2,50,000 |
| MFA / BFA | 2 / 4 years | Graduation / 10+2 | INR 59,718 / INR 36,849 |
| LLB (standalone) | 3 years | Graduation any stream | INR 53,370 |
Regular BA and B.Sc fees at the government rate are among the lowest for a UGC-recognised university in India. Professional programmes (B.Pharm, M.Pharm, MBA, M.Sc, BCA) follow higher fee structures. PG Diploma programmes in PGDCA, Journalism, Tourism, and Yogic Science are available at INR 14,656 to INR 15,696.
Kumaun University Admission Process
BA, B.Sc, and B.Com (UG Regular Programmes)
Admission to BA, B.Sc, and B.Com programmes is merit-based. Candidates register through the Uttarakhand government’s Samarth Portal and are allotted seats on the basis of HSC (Class 12) marks.
- Eligibility for BA: 10+2 or equivalent in any stream
- Eligibility for B.Sc: 10+2 with Science stream (PCM or PCB as applicable per specialisation)
- Eligibility for B.Com / B.Com Hons.: 10+2 in Commerce or equivalent
- No entrance examination required for regular UG programmes
Professional UG Programmes (BCA, BBA, B.Pharm, BHMTT)
BCA and BBA admissions are based on HSC merit with Mathematics and general stream backgrounds respectively. B.Pharm admission requires a valid NEET score in addition to 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. BHMTT selects candidates on HSC merit from any stream.
PG Programmes (MA, M.Sc, MBA, M.Com)
PG admissions are conducted through the Kumaun University Entrance Test (KUET) held each academic year. Candidates must hold a graduation degree in the relevant discipline. KUET is a subject-specific written test.
- MA: Graduation in the relevant Arts discipline with 45% aggregate
- M.Sc: B.Sc in the relevant science subject with 50% aggregate
- MBA: Any graduation with 50% aggregate + KUET score
- M.Pharm: B.Pharm with valid GPAT score
Ph.D. Programmes
Ph.D. admission requires a postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks. Candidates with UGC NET, CSIR NET, or GATE qualifications are exempted from the university’s PhD entrance test. Non-qualified candidates appear in the Research Aptitude Test conducted by Kumaun University, followed by an interview before the departmental research committee.
Kumaun University Placements and Career Outcomes
Kumaun University maintains a central placement cell at the DSB Campus. Professional programme graduates (MBA, B.Pharm, M.Pharm, BCA, BBA, BHMTT) are the primary beneficiaries of campus recruitment drives. Arts and Science graduates largely pursue competitive examinations, research fellowships, or further academic qualifications before entering the job market.
Common career pathways for Kumaun University graduates:
- MBA and BBA graduates are placed with FMCG, banking, hospitality, and rural development organisations in the Uttarakhand and North India region
- B.Pharm and M.Pharm graduates are recruited by pharma manufacturers and research labs in the pharmaceutical sector
- M.Sc graduates in Biotechnology, Environmental Science, and Chemistry pursue DST, DBT, ICMR, and CSIR research fellowships
- BA and MA graduates predominantly prepare for UPSC, UKPSC, SSC, banking, and state government examinations
- BFA and MFA graduates enter government arts institutions, design studios, and educational roles
- BHMTT graduates are placed in hotels, travel agencies, and tourism management organisations in the hill tourism sector
Kumaun University’s DSB Campus location in Nainital gives it strong connects with the hill tourism and hospitality sector, benefiting BHMTT and MBA (Tourism Management) graduates specifically. The university’s Forestry and Environmental Science departments attract research-oriented students targeting forest service and ecological research roles.
Kumaun University Rankings
Kumaun University is ranked 62nd in the Pharmacy category by NIRF 2024. It is ranked 25th among government universities in India Today Rankings 2026. In global rankings, it appears in the QS India 81 to 85 band and the QS Asian University 901 to 950 band for 2025.
| Ranking Body | Category | Rank | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Pharmacy | 62 | 2024 |
| India Today | Government Universities | 25 | 2026 |
| QS India | Universities | 81 to 85 band | 2025 |
| QS Asian University | Universities (South Asia) | 901 to 950 band | 2025 |
Kumaun University Campus and Infrastructure
The DSB Campus of Kumaun University is spread across 160 acres in Nainital, at an altitude of approximately 2,000 metres in the Kumaon Himalayas. The campus combines natural hill setting with academic infrastructure across departments in Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Management, and Visual Arts.
Key facilities at the DSB Campus:
- Himalaya Museum (established 1987), specialising in the archaeological, cultural, and historical heritage of the Uttarakhand region
- Central Library with a large collection serving graduate and research students across faculties
- UGC-HRDC (Human Resource Development Centre) for faculty training and academic development programmes
- Departmental laboratories across Science, Pharmacy, Agriculture, and Forestry faculties
- Constituent J.C. Bose Technical Campus at Bhimtal for technology-oriented programmes
Kumaun University serves students from the Kumaon and Terai regions of Uttarakhand, drawing aspirants from rural districts who benefit from the low-cost regular UG and PG programmes. The university has ISO 9001-2008 certification and holds Green Campus status. A third campus (Meru Campus, Patwadangar) is under development as of 2026.
Kumaun University vs HNB Garhwal University vs Soban Singh Jeena University
Kumaun University, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna (HNB) Garhwal University, and Soban Singh Jeena (SSJ) University are Uttarakhand’s three major state universities, each serving distinct geographic regions and drawing from overlapping aspirant pools in the state.
| Parameter | Kumaun University (DSB Campus) | HNB Garhwal University | Soban Singh Jeena University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Nainital (Kumaon Hills) | Srinagar Garhwal | Almora |
| Established | 1973 | 1973 | 2020 (split from Kumaun University) |
| Type | State Public University (affiliating) | Central University | State Public University (affiliating) |
| NAAC Grade | A | A | Not yet assessed (nascent) |
| NIRF Pharmacy | 62 (2024) | Not in top 100 | Not assessed |
| Key Strength | Pharmacy, Forestry, Arts/Science at low cost | Sciences, Engineering, Geography | Hill region arts and humanities |
| Student Base | 1,50,000 (including affiliated colleges) | Comparable large base | Smaller base (new university) |
Kumaun University at DSB Campus stands out for its ranked Pharmacy programme and the location advantage in Nainital for tourism-related disciplines. HNB Garhwal University, as a Central University, benefits from higher UGC grants and has stronger visibility in national rankings and research output. SSJ University is still consolidating its academic programmes following the 2020 split from Kumaun University.
Kumaun University FAQs
Ques. What is the NAAC grade of Kumaun University?
Ans. Kumaun University holds NAAC A Grade accreditation. The assessment covers the constituent DSB Campus at Nainital and the affiliated colleges under the university’s jurisdiction in Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts.
Ques. What are the BA fees at Kumaun University DSB Campus?
Ans. The total BA fees at Kumaun University (DSB Campus, Nainital) are INR 12,315 over three years for general category students. B.Sc fees are INR 7,080 and B.Com fees are INR 2,160 for the full three-year programme, making regular UG programmes highly affordable at this government university.
Ques. How do admissions work at Kumaun University for UG programmes?
Ans. UG admissions to BA, B.Sc, and B.Com at Kumaun University are merit-based through the Uttarakhand government’s Samarth Portal. No entrance examination is required. Candidates are allotted seats based on their HSC (Class 12) percentage. Applications for the 2027-28 cycle are expected to open in April 2027.
Ques. What is Kumaun University’s NIRF rank?
Ans. Kumaun University is ranked 62nd in the Pharmacy category by NIRF 2024. It is also ranked 25th among government universities in India Today Rankings 2026 and appears in the QS India 81 to 85 band for 2025.
Ques. Does Kumaun University have a campus in Nainital?
Ans. Yes, the DSB (Dev Singh Bisht) Campus in Nainital is the administrative headquarters of Kumaun University. It is spread across 160 acres in the Kumaon hills and houses the majority of the university’s departments, including Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Management, and Visual Arts faculties.
Ques. What are the MBA fees at Kumaun University?
Ans. The total MBA fees at Kumaun University are INR 85,000 over two years for all specialisations, including General MBA, MBA (Rural Management), MBA (Tourism Management), and MBA (Executive). Admission is through the KUET entrance test plus graduation marks.
Ques. Is Kumaun University good for B.Pharm?
Ans. Yes, Kumaun University has a well-regarded Pharmacy department. It is ranked 62nd in the Pharmacy category by NIRF 2024. B.Pharm admission requires a valid NEET score, and the total fees are INR 2,24,052 over four years, which is competitively priced for a ranked pharmacy programme.
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Kumaun University DSB Campus, Nainital, B.V.Sc. is offered as 4 Years full-time program. The minimum eligibility criteria for B.V.Sc. are 10+2. The total fees for Kumaun University DSB Campus, Nainital, B.V.Sc. are INR 2.24 Lakhs for the complete course duration. Candidates seeking admission into the Vivekananda College can register online through the official website and submit the required application form along with the application fee.
You have completed 12th in Commerce with Maths, but had a compartment in Accountancy, which you later cleared. Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital considers overall 12th marks and passing in all subjects for B.Com admission. Since you have passed Accountancy, you are eligible to apply for B.Com at this campus.
Kumaun University DSB Campus, Nainital, does not offer a B.P.Ed (Bachelor of Physical Education) degree as part of its UG programs. However, the campus offers a related undergraduate course, Bachelor of Physical Education & Sports Sciences (BPES), which is a 3-year full-time program focused on physical education and sports studies. The total fee is about INR 90,000 for the full 3-year (6-semester) duration. This breaks down to approximately INR 15,000 per semester, which you pay each semester when fees are due.
Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital BCA is offered as 3 Years Full Time program. Candidates should have passed (10+2) or High School Senior Secondary exam by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) or any equivalent exam conducted by any State Board or Equivalent. You can apply without Maths, though having it may ease understanding certain subjects later on. The total fees for Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital, BCA is INR 1 Lakh for the complete course duration.
Kumaun University’s DSB Campus in Nainital does offer the integrated BA·LLB (5-year/BALLB) programme, conducted through its affiliated constituent colleges. There are 180 seats, and the total course fee is approximately INR 1.41 lakh. Admissions are merit-based (10+2 marks); apply online via the Samarth portal, submit documents, and pay fees to confirm your seat.
Kumaun University conducts admissions based on merit-based selection and entrance examinations for various programs. The admission process is transparent and involves multiple counselling rounds to ensure fair allocation of seats. Register and fill the online application form on the official Kumaun University website (kunainital.ac.in) with personal details, educational qualifications, course preferences, and category information.
Admission to D.S.B. Campus Nainital under Kumaun University is based on merit or entrance exams like CUET UG for UG courses. Candidates must apply online, fill forms, upload documents, and attend counseling. Final admission is confirmed after merit list selection and fee payment.
At Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital, fees vary by course: B.A INR 21,000, B.Sc INR 1.2 lakh, BBA INR 69,000 total. Hostel facilities include boys’ and girls’ hostels with Wi-Fi, security, and mess (INR 15,000–INR 50,000/year). Located in Nainital, Uttarakhand. Admission last date is around July 2026 for UG courses.
Kumaun University's DSB Campus, Nainital, mainly offers regular (on-campus) courses such as BA, BSc, BCom, MA, and MSc. Classes are conducted in person with attendance requirements. Distance education programs are offered through a separate directorate, not the DSB Campus. Always confirm with the university for specific course modes.
To fill the application form for Kumaun University DSB Campus, candidates must visit the official admission portal, register with personal details, complete the online form, upload scanned documents, and pay the application fee online. After submission, applicants should download the confirmation page and regularly check merit list and counselling updates.
Yes, Kumaun University’s DSB Campus in Nainital does offer a B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) program
With an ACPC rank of 16,536, your chances of securing a seat in B.Tech Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), Vadodara, are moderate to low in the initial rounds. Cutoffs for this sought-after program close much higher. However, you stand a decent chance during the subsequent spot admission rounds or vacancy fillings if seats remain unallocated.
Yes, M.Sc. in Geology is available at the DSB Campus, Nainital, which is a premier constituent campus of Kumaun University. The Department of Geology offers this full-time, two-year postgraduate degree, specializing in areas like Himalayan geology, geochemistry, and tectonics. Admissions require a relevant B.Sc. degree.
Yes, Kumaun University’s DSB Campus in Nainital provides hostel accommodations with separate facilities for boys and girls. The campus hosts three boys’ hostels (Shahid Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, K.C.Pant) and three girls’ hostels (Rani Laxmi, Kamla Pant, Gaura Devi) with 24-hour security, basic furnishings, Wi-Fi, recreational halls, sports facilities, and power backup
Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital BA English Literature is offered as 3 Years full-time program. The minimum eligibility criteria for BA is 10+2. The total fees for Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital BA English Literature is INR 12,315 for the complete course duration
Kumaun University (KU) offers a B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) through its Faculty of Technology. The total fee for the course is INR 3.86 lakhs.
Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital BBA is offered as 3 Years Full Time program. The minimum eligibility criteria for BBA is 10+2. The total fees for Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital BBA is INR 69,222 for the complete course duration. The fee per year is INR 23,074.
Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital courses are offered at UG, PG, Doctorate level. There are 95 courses offered at Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital. The courses are offered in fields like Science, Computer Applications, Management, Arts. Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital courses includes BA, BBA, BCA, B.Sc, L.L.M, M.Pharm, M.Sc, MBA, M.A, Diploma. The popular courses at Kumaun University DSB Campus Nainital is BA, BBA, BCA.
The Kumaun University has an active placement cell that offers support such as pre-placement training, campus drives, and mock interviews , the BCA program at DSB Campus lacks dedicated placement opportunities. Students pursuing BCA may need to seek internships and job placements independently.