Main internal road of Chitkara University's Punjab campus lined with academic blocks

Private University · Rajpura, Punjab · Est. 2010

Chitkara University: Courses, Fees & Admission 2026 for International Students

Chitkara University sits on a 70-acre campus at Rajpura on the Chandigarh-Patiala highway, about half an hour from Chandigarh airport. It grew out of the Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology (2002) and received university status under a 2008 Punjab Act. Fifteen schools and colleges cover engineering, business, pharmacy, health sciences, nursing, design, architecture, hospitality, mass communication, psychology, law and education, with roughly 16,700 students and 700-plus faculty on the Punjab campus.

NAAC A+UGC recognisedNIRF 2025 University #78QS World University Rankings 2026: 1201-1400Students from 28 countries (university-reported via Cintana Alliance profile)
Official website

Photo: Sahil Dhiman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

2010

Established

70 acres

Campus

112+

Programmes

July/August

Intakes

$1,500–$5,100

Tuition per year

Chandigarh (IXC), ~35 km

Nearest airport

The university is NAAC A+ accredited (CGPA 3.26) and placed 78th among Indian universities in NIRF 2025, with its pharmacy college ranked 16th nationally. QS lists it in the 1201-1400 band of the 2026 World University Rankings. Industry-embedded degrees are a signature: B.E. CSE tracks are co-designed with Microsoft, business programmes with Deloitte, and health-science degrees run with Fortis Healthcare.

A dedicated Office of International Affairs handles foreign, PIO, OCI and NRI applicants, runs an English conversation programme and cross-cultural counselling, and helps with FRRO registration. Published foreign-national fees currently cover SAARC nationals; applicants from other countries receive a quote from the OIA. Campus life is structured, with a prescribed uniform on working days and a 75 percent attendance requirement for exams.

  • NAAC A+ accreditation (CGPA 3.26/4) and NIRF 2025 University rank 78
  • Chitkara College of Pharmacy ranked 16th in India in NIRF 2025
  • Co-branded degrees with Microsoft (CSE AI), Deloitte (BBA Fintech), ARAI (automobile) and Fortis Healthcare (nursing and allied health)
  • Centre for Global Education with 2+2 pathways and 300+ partner institutions, including Arizona State University via the Cintana Alliance
  • MBA 2025: highest offer INR 44 LPA, 350+ recruiters, 50+ international offers
  • B.Tech 2025 median package INR 9.85 LPA with Microsoft, Google, HP, Accenture and Oracle among recruiters
  • On-campus hostel for foreign students at INR 2,30,000 per year (SAARC schedule 2026-27)
  • Second campus at Baddi, Himachal Pradesh with lower fee points for B.E., B.Pharm and nursing

Popular courses and fees for international students

Annual tuition in INR with an indicative USD conversion at ₹85 = $1. Figures are the published foreign-national fee. Confirm the current fee sheet before paying.

ProgrammeLevelDurationTuition / yearEligibilityIntake
B.E. Computer Science & EngineeringUG4 years₹3.6 lakh≈ $4,30012th with Physics, Chemistry & Maths, 60% aggregate or 60% in PCM; JEE Main 2026 required for Indian-system applicants, foreign applicants assessed on Class XII equivalentJuly/August
B.E. CSE (AI & ML) with MicrosoftUG4 years₹4.3 lakh≈ $5,10012th with PCM, 60% aggregateJuly/August
BCAUG3 years₹1.3 lakh≈ $1,50012th any stream, 50% aggregate; personal interviewJuly/August
BBA (General)UG3 years (+1 year Hons option)₹1.4 lakh≈ $1,65012th any stream, 50% aggregate; personal interviewJuly/August
MBAPG2 yearsOn requestBachelor's degree with 50%; entrance test or interviewJuly/August
B.PharmUG4 years₹2.2 lakh≈ $2,65012th with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Maths, 50% aggregate; personal interviewJuly/August
Pharm.DUG6 years₹2.8 lakh≈ $3,30012th with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Maths, 50% aggregateJuly/August
B.Sc Nursing (with Fortis Healthcare)UG4 years₹1.4 lakh≈ $1,70012th with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, 50% aggregate; interview; age 17+ by 31 Dec of admission yearJuly/August
B.Des Communication Design (UX / Animation / Graphic Design)UG4 years₹3.6 lakh≈ $4,30012th any stream, 50% aggregate; CUDAT or UCEED score and interviewJuly/August
B.ArchUG5 years₹2.2 lakh≈ $2,65012th with Physics and Maths plus one more science/technical subject, 45%; NATA requiredJuly/August

Need the complete list of 112+ programmes with seat counts? .

Admission process for international students

  1. 1

    Contact the Office of International Affairs

    Email admissions@chitkara.edu.in or the OIA coordinator with your target programme, passport copy and transcripts; the OIA is the single point of contact for all foreign, PIO and OCI applicants.

  2. 2

    Submit the online application

    Complete the form at admissions.chitkara.edu.in; if final results are pending, enter predicted grades and the admission stays provisional until actual results match.

  3. 3

    Receive the conditional offer

    Eligible candidates get a conditional admission letter; engineering, health-science and architecture programmes may add a short test or interview.

  4. 4

    Pay fees and obtain the AIU equivalence certificate

    Pay the first-semester fee plus one-time ETS and admission charges, and apply to the Association of Indian Universities for an equivalence certificate for your school-leaving qualification.

  5. 5

    Apply for the student visa

    Use the admission letter and fee receipt to apply for an Indian Student Visa endorsed to Chitkara University at your nearest Indian mission.

  6. 6

    Report and register

    Arrive two to three days before classes, present original documents and 15 photographs at the OIA, then complete FRRO registration within 14 days of arrival (OCI holders exempt).

Eligibility & English requirement

  • Open to citizens of all countries other than India plus PIO/OCI cardholders under the Foreign/NRI category
  • School-leaving qualification recognised by AIU as equivalent to Indian Class XII: A-levels, IB Diploma, WASSCE, HSC, Tawjihi, KCSE, SLC/NEB (Nepal) and similar; AIU equivalence certificate needed at registration
  • Programme minimums: 60% in PCM for engineering, 50% aggregate for business, computing, pharmacy, nursing, design and hospitality
  • English proficiency where applicable: IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 60-78 or PTE/Cambridge English equivalent; students may also join the on-campus English Conversation Programme
  • Candidates born on or after 1 October 2004 for B.E. programmes; nursing and allied-health applicants must be 17 by 31 December of the admission year

Important dates

  • Applications open: October 2025 for the 2026 session (rolling)
  • Engineering counselling schedule: announced after JEE Main April 2026 results (June)
  • Last date for application: notified on chitkara.edu.in each cycle, typically late June or July
  • Classes begin: late July / August 2026
  • FRRO registration: within 14 days of arrival in India

Scholarships for international students

ScholarshipBenefitWho qualifies
ICCR Scholarship Schemes (Government of India)Full tuition plus monthly stipend and hostel support under schemes such as the General Scholarship Scheme and Africa Scholarship SchemeNationals of partner countries; apply through the Indian mission on the A2A portal and name Chitkara University among preferred institutions
Study in India (SII) Fee WaiversPartial to full tuition waivers for top-ranked applicants admitted through the Study in India portalForeign nationals applying via studyinindia.gov.in with strong academic records
Chitkara merit-based tuition supportPartial to full tuition fee reimbursement; NIRF data show 1,508 of 10,641 four-year UG students received full tuition reimbursementDecided on academic merit at admission; international applicants should request terms from the Office of International Affairs
Central Sector Scholarship / Government of India schemesTuition and maintenance support via the National Scholarship PortalIndian nationals and, for some schemes, OCI/PIO cardholders; not open to other foreign nationals
Sports and co-curricular awardsFee concessions for national and international-level sportspersonsDocumented representation at national or international level; assessed by the University Sports Board

Placements

₹9.8 lakh

Median package

₹44 lakh

Highest package

No PSW visa

India has no post-study work visa; graduates need a sponsored Employment Visa

Top recruiters: Microsoft, Google, HP, Accenture, Oracle, Cognizant, KPMG, Dell, Toshiba, Panasonic.

B.Tech 2025 median INR 9.85 LPA and MBA 2025 highest INR 44 LPA (NIRF/careers360 data); roughly 80% of B.Tech and 99% of MBA graduates were placed in 2025.

Campus, hostel and cost of living

Main internal road of Chitkara University's Punjab campus lined with academic blocks
Sahil Dhiman, CC BY-SA 4.0
Academic building at Chitkara University, Rajpura
ChitkaraU, CC BY-SA 3.0
Entrance gate of Chitkara University, Punjab
Chitkara University, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hostel (on campus)

  • Standard shared hostel room (SAARC schedule 2026-27): ₹2.3 lakh / year (≈ $2,700)
  • Hostel rent includes mess; vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian meals are served in campus dining halls
  • One-time caution money INR 10,000 (includes hostel), uniform INR 10,000 per year and medical insurance/orientation fee INR 1,000 per year are charged separately. AC accommodation is reserved for Nautical Science students.

Monthly living cost in Rajpura (estimate)

  • Food outside mess $60-100
  • Local transport and trips to Chandigarh $20-40
  • Mobile data and internet $5-10
  • Personal expenses and laundry $40-80
  • Books and supplies $10-20
  • Total with hostel: $200–350 / month

Indian student visa for Chitkara admits

Foreign nationals need a Student (S) Visa from the Indian mission in their country. It is issued for the duration of the course on the university's bona fide admission letter, fee receipt and proof of funds, and holders must register with the FRRO within 14 days of arrival. Krosz prepares the visa file for every student it places, at no extra cost.

Largest international cohorts at Chitkara: Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Kenya, Afghanistan.

Frequently asked questions

Are the published international fees the same for all foreign nationals?

No. The fee schedule Chitkara publishes for the 2026 session is specifically for SAARC nationals and mirrors the domestic tariff (for example INR 1,82,000 per semester in the first year of B.E. CSE). Applicants from outside SAARC should ask the Office of International Affairs for their fee quote before paying any deposit.

Do I need JEE Main or NEET as a foreign applicant?

JEE Main is mandatory for Indian-system applicants to B.E. programmes, but foreign nationals with recognised international qualifications are assessed on Class XII-equivalent marks (60% in PCM) and may face a university test or interview instead. Physiotherapy requires NEET for Indian applicants; confirm your category with the OIA.

Can I bring a laptop and is there a dress code?

Every B.E. student must own a laptop meeting the configuration published on the university website. Students wear the prescribed university uniform on all working days, and 75% attendance is compulsory to sit exams.

How far is the campus from an airport and from Chandigarh?

The Rajpura campus is on the Chandigarh-Patiala highway, roughly 35 km from Chandigarh International Airport and about 33 km from Chandigarh city; the university also runs an information centre at Elante Mall, Chandigarh.

What happens if my final results do not match my predicted grades?

Admission granted on predicted results is provisional. If actual results meet the cut-off the seat is confirmed; if you fail to qualify the application is cancelled and the fee is refunded under the university's refund policy.

Similar private universities

Sources: official university website and international prospectus, NIRF, NAAC, UGC, MEA student visa guidelines, ICCR. Last verified 2026-10. Fees are indicative and may change; Krosz is an independent admissions and visa service and is not affiliated with Chitkara University.

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