Gujarat University per student annual spending 2023-24 revealed by NIRF

Gujarat University per student annual spending 2023-24 stands at ₹4.9 lakh, NIRF data shows. Compare with IIM Ahmedabad, JNU, Manipal, IITGN, and SVNIT.

Introduction

The annual expenditure of leading higher education institutions in India is often a mirror reflecting their academic infrastructure, research capacity, and resource allocation. According to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 data, Gujarat University per student annual spending 2023-24 reached an average of ₹4.9 lakh. This financial insight not only highlights the institution’s priorities but also positions it within a broader national comparison involving premier institutions like the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and private universities such as Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

While numbers alone don’t define quality, they certainly reveal the depth of investment being made toward academics, infrastructure, and salaries. This article dives into the comparative figures, institutional insights, and expert views to help readers understand how universities in Gujarat and beyond are spending on their students.

Expenditure Details of Gujarat University

NIRF’s official data shows that Gujarat University reported a total annual expenditure of ₹177.08 crore in 2023-24. This breaks down into:

• Capital expenditure: ₹41.89 crore, largely spent on infrastructure and modernization.
• Operational expenditure: ₹135.18 crore, covering recurring costs such as maintenance and utilities.
• Staff salaries: ₹81.64 crore, signifying the focus on human resources and teaching capacity.

With a student base of over 36,000, the per-student cost stands at ₹4.9 lakh, a figure that has sparked discussions in academic and policy-making circles about efficiency and educational value.

Comparative Spending: IIM Ahmedabad and Beyond

The figures become more interesting when juxtaposed with other institutions. At IIM Ahmedabad, the average expenditure per student is ₹41.14 lakh, nearly 8.4 times higher than Gujarat University. Despite serving a much smaller student population, IIM Ahmedabad invests heavily in faculty, research, and world-class facilities.

Meanwhile, JNU spends ₹13.33 lakh per student, about 172% more than Gujarat University. Manipal University, with a staggering ₹2,496 crore annual expenditure, spends around ₹9.9 lakh per student—over 100% higher than Gujarat University.

In engineering education, IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN) spends ₹13.90 lakh per student, while Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, spends ₹5.23 lakh per student. Law education also sees notable figures, with Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) reporting ₹4.41 lakh per student expenditure.

Agricultural Universities: A Different Story

Agricultural universities present another dimension. Navsari Agricultural University spends around ₹14.03 lakh per student, reflecting its specialized nature and resource-intensive agricultural education. Anand Agricultural University also shows high expenditure per student, though slightly lower than Navsari.

This highlights how domain-specific institutions require significantly different levels of investment compared to general universities like Gujarat University.

Expert Commentary on University Spending

Education economists often caution against equating higher spending with higher quality. Dr. Pankaj Chandra, former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmedabad University, has remarked in earlier discussions that “while expenditure figures provide a snapshot, the effectiveness lies in how institutions channelize those funds—towards research, student support, or infrastructure.”

Such perspectives are crucial. Gujarat University’s average of ₹4.9 lakh per student may appear modest against IIM Ahmedabad’s ₹41 lakh, but affordability, accessibility, and scale also play defining roles in shaping its mission.

Why University Spending Matters

1. Resource Allocation: Universities investing heavily in research labs and technology often rank higher internationally.
2. Faculty Development: Institutions with higher per-student expenditure can attract top teaching talent.
3. Student Support: Adequate funds ensure scholarships, mental health services, and extracurricular opportunities.
4. Global Rankings: Spending patterns are often linked to positions in NIRF and QS rankings.

This reinforces why comparison of university spending per student in Gujarat and across India is more than just financial—it’s about future-readiness.

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Comparative Insights: Public vs. Private Institutions

Public institutions like Gujarat University and JNU face the challenge of serving massive student populations with limited budgets. In contrast, private universities such as Manipal can afford higher per-student investment, enhancing global competitiveness.

A JNU versus Gujarat University per student cost analysis underlines how central universities benefit from direct government funding, while state universities balance between government grants and internal resource generation.

Spotlight on Engineering Institutions

In the engineering education space, engineering institutes spending per student IITGN vs SVNIT offers a telling picture. IITGN, with its cutting-edge labs and global collaborations, spends over ₹13 lakh per student, reflecting the cost of premium education. SVNIT, though a reputed NIT, manages with just above ₹5 lakh per student—an indicator of how resource management strategies vary across technical institutions.

Linking Strategy for Students and Aspirants

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Conclusion

The Gujarat University per student annual spending 2023-24 paints a clear picture of its financial commitments, but also raises broader questions: Should universities focus on increasing per-student expenditure, or should they aim for efficient utilization of limited funds? Comparisons with IIM Ahmedabad, JNU, Manipal, IITGN, and SVNIT show that higher investments often align with better facilities and outcomes, yet affordability and accessibility remain critical pillars of Indian higher education.

As higher education in India continues to evolve, expenditure patterns will likely play a pivotal role in determining how universities balance inclusivity with excellence.

FAQs

Q1. What is Gujarat University per student annual spending 2023-24?
A1. According to NIRF data, it stands at ₹4.9 lakh per student.

Q2. How much is the total annual expenditure of Gujarat University in 2023-24?
A2. The university spent ₹177.08 crore, including ₹41.89 crore on capital and ₹135.18 crore on operational expenses.

Q3. How does Gujarat University compare with IIM Ahmedabad average expenditure per student 41 lakh?
A3. IIM Ahmedabad spends almost 8.4 times more per student than Gujarat University.

Q4. What is the comparison of university spending per student in Gujarat?
A4. Gujarat University spends ₹4.9 lakh, IITGN spends ₹13.9 lakh, SVNIT spends ₹5.23 lakh, and GNLU spends ₹4.41 lakh per student.

Q5. What does JNU versus Gujarat University per student cost analysis reveal?
A5. JNU spends about 172% more per student than Gujarat University.

Q6. How does Manipal University’s spending compare with Gujarat University?
A6. Manipal spends ₹9.9 lakh per student, more than double that of Gujarat University.

Q7. Why is IIM Ahmedabad average expenditure per student 41 lakh so high?
A7. Because of smaller student numbers, world-class infrastructure, and top global faculty salaries.

Q8. What are engineering institutes spending per student IITGN vs SVNIT?
A8. IITGN spends ₹13.90 lakh per student, while SVNIT spends ₹5.23 lakh.

Q9. How much do agricultural universities in Gujarat spend per student?
A9. Navsari spends around ₹14.03 lakh per student, higher than Gujarat University.

Q10. Why does university expenditure matter for students?
A10. Higher expenditure often translates into better faculty, facilities, research, and student services.