Are entrance exams required for private universities in Haryana?

Haryana is home to a significant and growing number of private universities; as of early 2026, there are around 26 private universities recognised in the state alongside central and state universities. These institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and doctoral programmes across fields such as engineering, management, law, sciences, humanities, allied health and medicine.

One of the key questions for students and parents is: Are entrance exams required for admission to private universities in Haryana? The answer is “it depends on the programme and the university”. Broadly, admissions are governed by eligibility criteria set by the University Grants Commission (UGC), professional councils (AICTE, NMC, BCI, etc.) and individual universities themselves, and often fall into one of the following categories:

1. National/State Level Entrance Exams – Many private universities either mandate or accept scores from national or state-level entrance tests for programme-specific admissions, especially in professional streams. These include:

• Engineering: Popular exams such as JEE Main continue to be widely accepted for B.Tech admissions by private universities, including those in Haryana. Students with valid JEE Main scores are often given preference for B.Tech seats over merit-only admissions.
• Medical & Allied Health: Professional medical courses (MBBS, BDS, B.Sc Nursing, etc.) typically require NEET-UG/NEET PG qualification, as mandated nationally, and private institutions follow the same requirement.
• Management: MBA admissions often consider scores from common management tests such as MAT, CMAT, CAT,or other equivalent tests.

In addition to these, some universities accept the CUET UG/PG (Common University Entrance Test) scores for general degree programmes; this exam is increasingly being used by Indian universities to streamline undergraduate and postgraduate admissions.

2. Entrance + Merit + Counselling – Several private universities follow a mixed model, where candidates may be:

• Evaluated on the basis of an entrance exam score (national/state or university level),
• Academic merit in the qualifying examination (Class 12 or graduation marks),
• And sometimes a personal interview/ group discussion/ counselling round.

This blended approach allows universities flexibility in admissions while still maintaining standards for competitive programmes.

3. Merit-Only Admissions – For many non-professional programmes, especially in arts, commerce, humanities, and basic sciences, some private universities offer merit-based admissions, where qualified applicants are selected primarily based on their previous academic performance (e.g., Class 12 marks) without requiring an additional entrance test.

However, even in such cases, universities often conduct internal aptitude tests or group assessments to shortlist candidates.

Leading Private Universities in Haryana

Here are five noteworthy private universities that represent the diversity of admission practices in the state:

• Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana (MM(DU)); Ambala: One of the most established private universities in Haryana with a large portfolio of courses and a mix of entrance-based and merit-based admissions.
• Amity University, Gurugram: Part of the Amity Education Group, this university offers professional and general programmes and typically utilises a combination of entrance exams (national or group-specific/Amity tests) and academic performance.
• Ashoka University, Sonipat: Known for its strong liberal arts focus, Ashoka University uses its own admission process, which includes application reviews, essays, and aptitude evaluations; national exams may be optional depending on the programme.
• ManavRachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS), Faridabad:A reputed institute offering engineering, management, and allied courses where admissions often consider entrance test scores alongside merit.
• SGT University, Gurugram: Offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes; professional courses generally require relevant entrance scores while some others may depend on merit or university-level tests.

Admission Structure at MM(DU)

The admissions framework at MM(DU) is programme-specific and typically includes the following components:

1. Entrance Exam Requirements

Medical & Dental Courses (MBBS, BDS):Admission to MBBS and BDS programmes is based on NEET-UG scores, following national mandate for medical admissions. Candidates must qualify NEET-UG and participate in state/central counselling for seat allocation.

Engineering (B.Tech): Aspirants seeking B.Tech admission are usually evaluated on the basis of JEE Main scores. In some cases, programme seats may also consider Class 12 performance or other university tests but JEE Main is the primary gateway for technical seats.

Management (MBA):For MBA admissions, MM(DU) accepts scores from national management entrance tests such as MAT or CMAT. Students with valid scores are shortlisted for counselling and final selection.

Postgraduate Engineering (M.Tech): Admissions are based on GATE or equivalent scores followed by internal counselling, aligning with common technical education standards.

Medical PG (MD/MS, MDS):Candidates must qualify NEET-PG/NEET-MDS for admission to postgraduate medical and dental specialisations.

2. Merit & Counselling

For several undergraduate programmes in fields like commerce, arts, basic sciences, and some professional streams, admission may also involve merit-based shortlisting followed by counselling sessions. Applicants with strong academic records (e.g., Class 12 marks) may be directly eligible for seat allocation.

Additionally, some programmes incorporate group discussions, personal interviews, or internal aptitude tests, especially where competition is high or where the university aims to assess broader competencies.

3. Application Process

Prospective students can apply online or, in some cases, offline. Candidates must:

• Visit the official MM(DU) admission portal,
• Register and fill out the application with requisite personal, academic, and exam score details,
• Upload certificates and pay the application fee,
• Attend counselling/selection rounds if applicable.

Certain programmes may also require additional steps, including document verification during counselling and fee payment to confirm admission. Prospective students should closely review the programme-wise requirements, deadlines, and counselling procedures on the official MM(DU) website to plan their applications effectively.