Colleges in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla 

Dharamsala  

Government College
Estd: 1926
Star stream: Arts
USP: One of the oldest colleges in the Kangra district.
Dharamsala Government College, established in 1926 is one of the oldest institutes of higher education in Kangra district. The foundation stone of the college was laid in 1912. Students from all over the lower regions of Himachal come to the institute for higher education. Tribal students from Pangi, Bharmour and Spiti areas of Himachal come here for higher studies and state government has provided them tribal hostels at Dharamsala.  The strength of college is more than 4000 students. It was the only college in the region that was offering bachelors degree in Geology. The college has also started various self financing professional courses including PGDCA, BCA, MBA, MCA and BBA.

The principal of the Dharamsala Government College, RP Chopra said that the institute had applied for starting master’s programme in geology. THe also said that the college has the distinction of attaining merit positions in examinations conducted by the Himachal Pradesh University. He said Brig Sherjung Thapa, the hero of Skardu in 1948 and recipient of Mahavir Chakra was the student of the college.

Mandi

Vallabh Government College
Estd: 1948
Courses offered: BA, BSc, BCom and professional courses like BBA, BCA and BEd, under self-financing scheme. Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Application under self-financing scheme was started in 2012-13.
Cut off: 55 per cent
USP: Only college to Himachal to get 'A' Grade from NAAC. The strength of the college increased over the years, and at present is has the highest enrolment of students in the state at 5,600. It also provides options to students to join NCC, NSS and Rovers & Rangers.

Solan 

Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat
Estd: 2002
Website: www.juit.ac.in
Star stream: Civil engineering as there is immense scope for the pass outs to be absorbed in the JP's Group's own hydel power and other infrastructure projects across the country. 
Cut off: 60,000 AIEEE for all India students; 87,000 for students from Himachal
Seats: ECE 120, CS-120, ICT-60, Civil-90,Bioinformatics-30, Biotech-30, B.Pharma-30
USP: Projects worth Rs 10 crore are underway in the university which are funded by various national level agencies like Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology and ISRO, CSIR and DRDO. The university has filed 10 patents out of which three have been published and one granted.

Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni
Estd: 1986
Website: www.yspuniversity.ac.in
Courses offered: Undergraduate, post graduate, doctorate courses in forestry, horticulture
Star stream:  Forestry
Cut off: Admissions is on the basis of an entrance test for under graduate course and on merit basis for higher courses. 
USP:  It is the only university in Asia promoting education, research and  extension education in horticulture and forestry. Several students from the university clear the prestigious Indian Forest Services and various state forest services examinations every year.