South Asian University (SAU) is an international university established in 2010 by the eight member countries of SAARC—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The idea of SAU was approved at the 13th SAARC Summit held in Dhaka in 2005, with the aim of bringing together the academic strengths of South Asia under one institution. Located in New Delhi, SAU focuses on providing high-quality education while promoting regional understanding, cooperation, and cultural exchange among South Asian nations. The university offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Research programmes in a wide range of disciplines under Applied Sciences and Social Sciences. SAU has faculties and centres in areas such as Economics, Legal Studies, Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Engineering and Technology, International Relations, Climate Change and Sustainability Centre for South Asian studies, and Arts and Design. With students and faculty from different South Asian countries, SAU provides a diverse and inclusive learning environment that encourages intellectual growth, innovation, and leadership. Through its academic programmes, research initiatives, and multicultural campus life, SAU aims to nurture future leaders and scholars who can contribute meaningfully to the development and integration of the South Asian region.

South Asian University is located at Gaushala Road, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, India.

Yes, SAU is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India, and its degrees are mutually recognized across all SAARC member states as equivalent to those of their national universities.

SAU is jointly established by the eight SAARC nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The medium of instruction for all academic programmes at SAU is English.

SAU offers Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Doctoral and Executive programmes in disciplines such as Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Biotechnology, Law, International Relations, Sociology, and Management, Interdisciplinary Studies.

SAU offers admission to a wide range of courses at Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Doctoral and Executive levels in the fields of Engineering, Arts, Science, Social Sciences etc. The university offers 40+ programmes with specilizations.

Yes, subject to seat availability and meeting eligibility requirements.

All information related to admission is available on the official website.

It depends on the programme/s you wish to apply for at the SAU. Please check the programme specific eligibility for various undergraduate programmes on the university website.

No. The candidate must take relevant National Level Test in 2026 related to the program in which he/she is appearing or has passed Class XII in order to be admitted to SAU through the Direct Mode.

Applications must be submitted online through the university’s official admissions portal. No offline forms are accepted.

Candidates can apply online through the official SAU website on the admission portal for detailed instructions. Please refer to specific programme link.

Eligibility criteria vary from programme to programme. Candidates must meet the minimum academic qualifications as specified for the respective programme general guidelines.

SAU offers admission through two modes: SAU Entrance Test, Direct Admission Mode and Executive Mode. Kindly refer to admission mode.

Under this mode, candidates are required to appear in the SAU Entrance Test conducted at variou test centers across all SAARC countries. Admission is granted based on the candidate’s performance in the entrance test and fulfilment of eligibility criteria.

Under the Direct Admission mode, eligible candidates are considered for admission based on their merit in a recognised National Level Test, as notified by SAU for the respective programmes.

Candidates can apply for both modes of admission—the SAU Entrance Test and the Direct Admission mode—by submitting separate registration forms and paying the prescribed fees separately for each mode.

Yes. Candidates may apply for more than one programme, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and submitting the prescribed fees for each programme.

If a candidate is selected through both the SAU Entrance Test and the Direct Admission mode, the candidate may accept admission through any one mode only. No preference or special consideration is given to either mode.

The registration fee is USD 20 per application. It is non-refundable and must be paid online while submitting the admission application form.

You will receive a confirmation email and can check the status on the admission portal using your login ID.

A separate application form must be submitted for each programme, along with the prescribed application fee.

Yes. Candidates applying through both the SAU Entrance Test mode and the Direct Admission mode must submit separate applications and pay the application fee separately for each mode.

Editing of the application form after submission is permitted only within the correction window, subject to the options provided on the admission portal.

Applicants are required to upload academic certificates/ marksheets and other documents as specified in the registration form.

Yes. An application is considered complete only after successful payment of the prescribed application fee.

No. Incomplete applications or applications without fee payment will not be considered for admission.

After successful submission, candidates will receive a confirmation on the application portal and/or by email.

“The best way to contact the Admissions Division is to email us your query, and we will reply as soon as possible. We respond to the vast majority of queries within three working days. The Admission Office can also be contacted by telephone between 10:00 AM and 05:00 PM (IST), Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, at:

Landline: +91(11)35656600
Mobile: +91-9818180096/9818185222
WhatsApp: +91-9818185222
Email: admission@sau.int”

No. The SAU Entrance Test is mandatory only for candidates applying through the Entrance Test mode. Candidates applying through the Direct Admission mode are not required to appear for the entrance test.

Please refer to the link

The syllabus for the SAU Entrance Test is programme-specific and is based on the relevant subjects at the qualifying (Class XII / equivalent or undergraduate) level, as applicable. Detailed syllabus information, where prescribed, is notified on the official admissions portal.

No, there is no negative marking in the SAU Entrance Test unless specifically mentioned for a particular programme. Candidates are advised to refer to the programme-specific admission notification for any exceptions or updates

Selection is based on the candidate’s performance in the SAU Entrance Test, subject to fulfilment of eligibility criteria and availability of seats.

No. The SAU Entrance Test score is valid only for the admission cycle for which the test is conducted.

All updates related to the entrance test, including admit card, schedule, and results, are communicated through the official SAU website and candidates registered email.

The University conducts entrance test for admission to various Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes. For candidates in India, the entrance tests are held at designated test centres across the country. For candidates from other SAARC countries, the entrance test is conducted in a proctored online mode on the stipulated dates. Kindly refer to the test centres.

The Direct Admission mode allows eligible candidates to apply for admission without appearing in the SAU Entrance Test, based on their qualification in a recognised National Level Test, as specified by the University.

The list of accepted National Level Tests is programme-specific and notified on the website.

SAU offers the following programs under CSE: BTech CSE, BTech CSE with specializations: AI & ML, Data Science AI, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Quantum, Business Systems & Intelligence.

This academic programme is expanded by the Dual Degree (B.Tech.–M.Tech. in CSE), which adds a specialized one-year (5th Year) Thesis/Project component. This component includes both industry-level and research-focused project work, giving students the chance to work on real-world industry challenges and complex research problems under the careful guidance of faculty members. It prepares students for successful contributions in global R&D facilities, leading industries, or for further study and research at prestigious academic institutions.

Yes. Students in both BTech and Dual Degree programs may graduate without a specialization. Specialization preferences must be submitted after completing the third semester.

Candidates must have passed the class 12 or higher secondary or any equivalent qualifying examination in Science stream (having mathematics and Physics as mandatory subjects) with a minimum of 65% marks in aggregate.

No. Only Science stream candidates with the required subjects are eligible.

Yes. Students can exit after completing four years and receive a BTech degree in Computer Science or specialization (if selected), provided they notify the university after the second year.

No. Only the scores obtained in CUET (UG) – 2026 will be considered for admissions to SAU in the academic year 2026-27.

There is no weightage to Class XII marks for merit list but minimun eligiblity criteria needs to be fulfilled by candidate.

After selection, candidates is required to accept the admission offer, pay the prescribed fees, and upload the required documents within the stipulated deadline. Admission is confirmed after verification of original documents and completion of all enrolment and registration formalities. Failure to complete these steps within due time may lead to cancellation of the offer.

The University offers scholarships to PhD candidates. Refer to Scholarship page.