45+ universities in India accept the SAT. Here is the full list.
From Ashoka University to IIIT Hyderabad, Indian universities are opening their doors to students with a strong SAT score, often without needing JEE, CUET, or any other entrance exam. Whether you are just starting to explore the SAT or already have a target score in mind, here is exactly which universities accept it, for which programmes, and who is eligible.
📰 As featured in Khaleej TimesOne SAT score, dozens of ways into India
A single Digital SAT sitting can support your GCC curriculum application, your US applications, and your Indian university options, all at once.
Skip a second entrance exam
Most SAT-accepting Indian universities let you apply without sitting CUET or a separate institute exam, saving months of parallel prep during Grade 12.
Real scholarship money on the table
The College Board India Scholars Program offers full tuition scholarships to eligible students scoring 1300 or above, alongside university-specific SAT scholarships at places like Ashoka and BML Munjal.
Keeps every option open
The same prep that gets you a competitive SAT score also supports US applications and, for eligible NRI and OCI students, direct routes into IIIT Hyderabad and BITS Pilani.
A SATisfactory student used this exact path
Before the full list, here is what this actually looks like for one student who took it.
How Athul scored 1570 and got into IIIT Hyderabad
Athul prepared for the Digital SAT with SATisfactory while studying at Faips DPS Kuwait, and secured a CSE admit at IIIT Hyderabad through the DASA quota, well above the 1550 minimum the programme requires. Watch him walk through his prep timeline and score strategy below, then see the full list of SAT-accepting universities and the exact DASA requirements further down this page.
Watch the full story on YouTube →Universities in India accepting SAT scores
Grouped by how broadly each university accepts the SAT, from every programme to select programmes only.
| University | Location | Free Score Sends | SAT Scholarship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashoka University | Sonipat, Haryana | Yes | Yes |
| Azim Premji University | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Yes | Need-based |
| FLAME University | Pune, Maharashtra | Yes | Verify |
| Jagdish Sheth School of Management | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Verify | Verify |
| KREA University | Sricity, Andhra Pradesh | Yes | Verify |
| Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies | Faridabad, Haryana | Yes | Verify |
| OP Jindal Global UniversityLaw, business, global affairs | Sonipat, Haryana | Yes | Verify |
| University | Location | Programmes accepting SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad University | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | All programmes except B.Tech |
| Bennett UniversityTimes Group | Greater Noida, UP | B.Tech, B.B.A. |
| BML Munjal UniversityHero Group | Gurugram, Haryana | B.Tech, B.B.A., B.Sc. (Economics) |
| GITAM (Deemed University) | Visakhapatnam, AP | B.Sc./B.C.A./B.E.M., B.Pharma, B.B.A., B.Com. (Hons), all BA |
| M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences | Bengaluru, Karnataka | B.Tech, B.B.A., B.Pharma & several allied health programmes |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) | Manipal, Karnataka | Select B.Sc. programmes |
| University | Notes |
|---|---|
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | SAT accepted for B.Tech admission |
| Atria University | Test-optional, SAT score given weight where submitted |
| Jain University | SAT accepted for B.Tech admission |
| Manipal University, Jaipur | SAT accepted for B.Tech admission |
| Plaksha University | SAT accepted for B.Tech admission |
| SASTRA University | SAT accepted for B.Tech admission |
| Shiv Nadar University | SAT accepted for B.Tech admission |
| SRM Institute of Science and TechnologyIncludes SRM AP and SRM Delhi-NCR, Sonepat | SAT accepted for B.Tech admission |
| SVKM's NMIMS | SAT accepted, scholarship track available |
| VIT | SAT accepted under NRI quota |
| Symbiosis Skills and Professional University | SAT accepted for B.Tech admission |
Two routes that work differently for GCC students
These two are separate from the general list above. Both are SAT-based, but eligibility depends on residency and passport, not just your score.
| Institute | Route | Min. SAT Score | Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIIT HyderabadDASA scheme | Direct SAT-based admission, no JEE | 1550 / 1600 for ECE & CSE | NRI, OCI, PIO students who studied Grade 11 & 12 outside India |
| BITS PilaniInternational Student Admission (ISA) | SAT replaces the BITSAT exam | 1160 / 1600 | Foreign passport holders only, not Indian passport NRIs |
Worth knowing: IITs, including IIT Hyderabad, do not accept SAT scores under any scheme. Only IIIT Hyderabad, a separate institute, runs the SAT-based DASA process above. If a parent works in a GCC country, the CIWG quota within DASA can also reduce IIIT Hyderabad's tuition to domestic-level fees.
Not sure where your SAT score fits yet? That is exactly where we start.
SATisfactory students train on the full Digital SAT with SmartMocks, PlanPilot scheduling, and FlexiTutor support, built for GCC-based students juggling board exams and SAT prep together. A free demo shows you where your score stands today and which of these universities are realistically in reach.
Book a Free DemoFrequently asked questions
Common questions about SAT accepting universities in India, answered directly.
Do Indian universities really accept SAT scores instead of CUET or JEE? +
Yes, at the 45+ universities listed above. Most let you apply through your SAT score alone, without sitting CUET, JEE, or another entrance exam. A few, like Bennett and BML Munjal, accept SAT only for specific programmes such as B.Tech and B.B.A.
What SAT score do I need for a competitive Indian university? +
Most competitive SAT accepting universities in India look for 1300 and above, with 1450 and above typically qualifying for merit scholarships at universities like Ashoka and Bennett.
Can I get into an IIT using my SAT score? +
No. IITs, including IIT Hyderabad, only admit through JEE Advanced, with no SAT or DASA route available. IIIT Hyderabad is a separate institute and is the one that accepts SAT directly.
Can GCC based students studying IGCSE or IB apply with SAT scores? +
Yes. SAT accepting Indian universities evaluate applicants from any curriculum background, including IGCSE, IB, and American curriculum, which is common among GCC based Indian students.
Are there scholarships available for a strong SAT score in India? +
Yes. The College Board India Scholars Program offers 100% tuition scholarships to eligible students scoring 1300 or above, subject to family income criteria. Several universities, including Ashoka and BML Munjal, run their own additional SAT linked scholarships.
How do I send my SAT score to an Indian university? +
Score sending to Indian universities through College Board is free for your first four sends. You select the university's code when registering or after receiving your results.
Your SAT score can open doors in India and abroad
Book a free demo and see how a SATisfactory study plan fits your target universities.
