Universities and Research Institutions of Kerala — Complete List with Key Facts
All universities in Kerala including state, central, deemed, and private universities along with major research institutions for Kerala PSC exams.
All universities in Kerala including state, central, deemed, and private universities along with major research institutions for Kerala PSC exams.
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Kerala has a well-developed higher education system with multiple state universities, one central university, several deemed universities, and numerous research institutions. This is a high-frequency topic in Kerala PSC exams.
State Universities
| University | Year | Location | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kerala | 1937 | Thiruvananthapuram | Oldest university in Kerala; originally Travancore University |
| University of Calicut | 1968 | Malappuram (Thenhipalam) | Largest university in Kerala by affiliated colleges |
| Mahatma Gandhi University | 1983 | Kottayam | Named after Mahatma Gandhi; covers central Kerala |
| Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) | 1971 | Kochi (Kalamassery) | Focus on science and technology; originally University of Cochin |
| Kannur University | 1996 | Kannur (Mangattuparamba) | Covers Kannur, Kasaragod, and parts of Wayanad |
| Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) | 1971 | Thrissur (Vellanikkara) | Agricultural education and research |
| Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) | 2010 | Kochi (Panangad) | India’s first fisheries university |
| Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) | 2010 | Wayanad (Pookode) | Veterinary education |
| Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) | 2010 | Thrissur | Medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy education |
| APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) | 2014 | Thiruvananthapuram | Technical education; affiliates all engineering colleges |
| Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) | 1993 | Ernakulam (Kalady) | Sanskrit and traditional knowledge |
| Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University | 2012 | Malappuram (Tirur) | Only university in India exclusively for Malayalam language |
| Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University) | 2020 | Thiruvananthapuram (Technocity) | India’s first digital university |
| University of Calicut (Farook College campus) | — | — | (Autonomous campus, part of Calicut University) |
Central University
| University | Year | Location | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central University of Kerala | 2009 | Kasaragod (Periye) | Established by Central Universities Act, 2009 |
Deemed Universities
| University | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) | Kochi | Legal education |
| Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) | Thiruvananthapuram (Valiamala) | Space science; under ISRO |
| Kerala Kalamandalam | Thrissur (Cheruthuruthy) | Traditional performing arts (Deemed university since 2006) |
Private/Self-Financing Universities
| University | Location | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Kollam (Amritapuri) | Deemed university; multiple campuses |
| SCMS School of Technology and Management | Kochi | Private deemed |
National Institutes in Kerala
| Institute | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Palakkad | Palakkad | Engineering and technology (est. 2015) |
| IIM Kozhikode (IIMK) | Kozhikode | Management education (est. 1996) |
| NIT Calicut (NITC) | Kozhikode | Engineering (est. 1961 as REC Calicut) |
| IISER Thiruvananthapuram | Thiruvananthapuram (Vithura) | Basic sciences research (est. 2008) |
| IISc Bengaluru — LEOS, Thiruvananthapuram | Thiruvananthapuram | Satellite systems (ISRO campus) |
| NIFTEM Kerala | Thanjavur campus link | Food technology |
Major Research Institutions
| Institution | Location | Field |
|---|---|---|
| Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) | Thiruvananthapuram | Rocket and space vehicle development (ISRO) |
| Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) | Thiruvananthapuram (Valiamala) | Liquid propulsion for ISRO |
| Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) | Thiruvananthapuram | India’s first rocket launch site (1963) |
| ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) | Thiruvananthapuram | Navigation and inertial systems |
| Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) | Thiruvananthapuram | Biotechnology research |
| Centre for Development Studies (CDS) | Thiruvananthapuram | Development economics research |
| Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) | Kozhikode | Water resources |
| Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) | Thrissur (Peechi) | Forestry research |
| Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) | Thiruvananthapuram (Sreekariyam) | Tapioca, sweet potato, yam research (ICAR) |
| Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) | Kasaragod | Coconut, arecanut, cocoa (ICAR) |
| Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) | Kochi | Marine fisheries (ICAR) |
| Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) | Kochi | Fish processing technology |
| National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) — Regional Centre | Kochi | Ocean research |
| Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences (SCTIMST) | Thiruvananthapuram | Medical devices and cardiac care |
| Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) | Thiruvananthapuram | Cancer treatment and research |
| National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) | Thiruvananthapuram | Transport planning |
| Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) | Thiruvananthapuram | Earth sciences, geology |
| Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) | Thiruvananthapuram | Umbrella body for state S and T institutions |
Important Facts for PSC
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Oldest university | University of Kerala (1937) |
| Largest university | University of Calicut (by number of affiliated colleges) |
| First digital university in India | Kerala University of Digital Sciences (2020) |
| Only Malayalam university | Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University (Tirur) |
| India’s first fisheries university | KUFOS (2010) |
| India’s first rocket launch site | TERLS, Thumba (1963) |
| First engineering college in Kerala | College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET, 1939) |
| First medical college in Kerala | Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram (1951) |
| Deemed university for arts | Kerala Kalamandalam (2006) |
| Central university in Kerala | Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod (2009) |
University Jurisdiction (District-wise)
| University | Districts Covered |
|---|---|
| University of Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha (part), Pathanamthitta (part) |
| Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam, Ernakulam (part), Idukki, Pathanamthitta (part), Alappuzha (part) |
| University of Calicut | Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad (part), Palakkad, Thrissur (part) |
| Kannur University | Kannur, Kasaragod, Wayanad (part) |
| CUSAT | Ernakulam (science and technology colleges) |
| KTU | All engineering colleges statewide |
| KUHS | All medical/health colleges statewide |
Frequently Asked PSC Questions
Q1. Which is the oldest university in Kerala? Ans: University of Kerala (1937, originally Travancore University)
Q2. Where is the Central University of Kerala located? Ans: Kasaragod (Periye)
Q3. Which is the largest university in Kerala? Ans: University of Calicut (by affiliated colleges)
Q4. Where is CUSAT located? Ans: Kalamassery, Kochi
Q5. What is Kerala Kalamandalam? Ans: A deemed university for traditional performing arts, located at Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur
Q6. Which was India’s first rocket launching station? Ans: Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), Thiruvananthapuram (1963)
Q7. What is KTU? Ans: APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (2014) — affiliates all engineering colleges in Kerala
Q8. Where is IIM Kozhikode located? Ans: Kozhikode (established 1996)
Q9. Which is India’s first digital university? Ans: Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (2020)
Q10. Where is CPCRI (Central Plantation Crops Research Institute) located? Ans: Kasaragod
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