178 verified colleges

Best PhD Colleges accepting CAT 2026

Looking for PhD colleges that accept CAT for 2026? We have curated 178 verified PhD colleges accepting CAT, ranked using NIRF, EduNext and other trusted rankings so the strongest institutes show up first. For each one you can compare total fees, eligibility, CAT cutoffs, placement records and real student reviews — and apply for 2026-27 admissions with zero spam calls.

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  1. 1

    IARI

    NIRF Overall #2
  2. 2

    IISc Bangalore

    Karnataka, Bangalore

    NIRF Overall #2Fees: ~1.19LPlacement: INR 28 LPA
  3. 3

    Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences Indore

    NIRF Overall #2Fees: ~2L
  4. 4

    NIT Rourkela

    Odisha, Rourkela

    NIRF Overall #9Placement: INR 13.21 LPA
  5. 5

    Bharathidasan University Tiruchirappalli

    Tamil Nadu, Tiruchirappalli

    NIRF Overall #11Fees: ~1.2L
  6. 6

    Kalasalingam University

    Tamil Nadu, Virudhunagar

    NIRF Overall #11Placement: INR 5.7 LPA
  7. 7

    NIT Surathkal

    Karnataka, Surathkal

    NIRF Overall #11Placement: INR 17.48 LPA
  8. 8

    SOA University

    NIRF Overall #11Fees: ~1.65L
  9. 9

    University of Hyderabad

    Telangana, Hyderabad

    NIRF Overall #11Fees: ~1.17LPlacement: INR 6 – 8 LPA
  10. 10

    GITAM University Vizag

    Andhra Pradesh, Vizag

    Ranking Overall #32 4 (909)Fees: ~2.26LPlacement: 8.8
  11. 11

    DMS,IISC Bangalore

    Karnataka, Bangalore

    Ranking Overall #34Fees: ~5.18LPlacement: ₹29.62 Lakhs
  12. 12

    NIT Surathkal (NITK)

    Karnataka, Surathkal

    Ranking Overall #38 4.2 (514)Fees: ~1.37LPlacement: INR 23.24 LPA
  13. 13

    SRM Institute of Science & Technology

    Tamil Nadu, Kattankulathur

    Ranking Overall #46 4 (3117)Fees: ~1LPlacement: INR 6.60 LPA
  14. 14

    NIT Warangal

    Telangana, Warangal

    NIRF Overall #63Placement: INR 14.35 LPA
  15. 15

    ICT Mumbai

    Maharashtra, Mumbai

    NIRF Overall #64Fees: ~1L
  16. 16

    Avinashilingam University

    Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore

    Ranking Overall #68 4 (74)Fees: ~1.07L
  17. 17

    Karunya University

    Madhya Pradesh, Agar

    Ranking Overall #101 4.1 (269)Fees: ~1.21LPlacement: 6-7 LPA
  18. 18

    CU Tamil Nadu

    NIRF Overall #101Fees: ~1.16L
  19. 19

    Kurukshetra University

    Haryana, Thanesar

    NIRF Overall #101Fees: ~1.65L
  20. 20

    National Sanskrit University

    NIRF Overall #101Fees: ~1.01L
  21. 21

    Amity School of Engineering & Technology Noida

    Uttar Pradesh, Noida

    Ranking Overall #107 4 (46)Fees: ~2.76L
  22. 22

    Amity University Gurgaon

    Haryana, Gurgaon

    NIRF Overall #151Fees: ~1.32L
  23. 23

    Ashoka University

    NIRF Overall #151Fees: ~1LPlacement: INR 11.6 LPA
  24. 24

    Avinashilingam university

    Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore

    NIRF Overall #151Fees: ~1.52L
  25. 25

    CU Gujarat

    Gujarat, Gandhinagar

    NIRF Overall #151Fees: ~17L

About PhD Colleges (2026)

India has 178 PhD colleges that accept CAT for the 2026 academic session, spanning government institutes, deemed universities and private colleges. The list above is ordered using NIRF, EduNext and other recognised rankings, so the strongest options appear first and you can compare them at a glance.

Admission to most of these colleges is through CAT. Your CAT score and category rank decide which colleges and seats you are eligible for, so it is wise to shortlist a mix of ambitious, realistic and safe choices. Every college page lists its accepted entrance exams along with the latest cutoff trends.

Before you apply, compare each college on the factors that matter most — total course fees, eligibility, entrance cutoffs, placement records and verified student reviews. Popular choices here include IARI, IISc Bangalore, Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences Indore. Open any college above for its full profile, or share your details in the enquiry form to get free, unbiased admission guidance with zero spam calls.

Frequently asked questions

There are 178 PhD colleges accepting CAT listed on EduNext for 2026 admissions, ranked using NIRF and EduNext rankings.

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