Jamia Millia Islamia’s notable alumni include actor Shah Rukh Khan, cricketer Virender Sehwag, filmmakers Kiran Rao and Kabir Khan, and journalists Barkha Dutt and Anjana Om Kashyap. Founded in 1920, the New Delhi central university is especially known for its mass communication school, which has trained many of India’s best-known names in film and media.
Jamia has also kept a strong academic standing. In the NIRF 2025 rankings released by the Ministry of Education in September 2025, it was placed 4th among universities and 13th overall, according to the university. Here is a look at its history and the alumni who made their mark.
A short history of Jamia
Jamia Millia Islamia was founded on 29 October 1920 in Aligarh during the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat movements, as a nationalist institution independent of British control. Leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi supported it during its difficult early years, when it struggled for funds.
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It moved to Delhi in 1925 and later to its present campus in Okhla. It became a central university in 1988 and marked its centenary in 2020. Its AJK Mass Communication Research Centre (AJK MCRC) is one of the most respected media schools in India.
Jamia at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 29 October 1920, Aligarh |
| Present campus | Okhla, New Delhi |
| Status | Central university since 1988 |
| NIRF 2025 | 4th among universities, 13th overall |
| Best known for | Mass communication, law, architecture, engineering |
Actors
1. Shah Rukh Khan
After graduating from Hansraj College, Delhi University, Shah Rukh Khan enrolled for a master’s in mass communication at Jamia’s AJK MCRC. He left before completing the course to pursue acting, and went on to become one of the biggest stars in Hindi cinema.
2. Mouni Roy
Mouni Roy studied at Jamia before moving to Mumbai. She became known for television shows such as Devon Ke Dev… Mahadev and Naagin, and later appeared in films including Gold and Brahmastra Part One: Shiva.
3. Harsh Chhaya
Harsh Chhaya is a television and film actor who became a familiar face through the 1990s serial Hasratein. He has since worked across films and web series.
4. Naved Aslam
Naved Aslam is a film and television actor and writer who studied mass communication at Jamia. He has played supporting roles in several Hindi films and shows.
5. Nidhi Bisht
Nidhi Bisht is an actor and writer known for her work in web series and comedy, and is listed among Jamia’s notable alumni.
Sportspersons
6. Virender Sehwag
The former India opener studied at Jamia Millia Islamia in his early cricketing years. He was part of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team and remains one of the most attacking batters India has produced.
7. Gagan Ajit Singh
The hockey forward studied at Jamia and was part of the Indian team that won the 2001 Junior World Cup in Hobart. He played at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics and received the Arjuna Award in 2002.
Filmmakers
8. Kiran Rao
Kiran Rao completed her master’s at AJK MCRC. She directed Dhobi Ghat (2011) and Laapataa Ladies (2024), which was India’s official entry for the Academy Awards that year.
9. Kabir Khan
Kabir Khan, also from AJK MCRC, began as a documentary filmmaker before directing Ek Tha Tiger, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, 83 and Chandu Champion.
10. Loveleen Tandan
Loveleen Tandan, a Jamia alumna, was the casting director and India co-director of Slumdog Millionaire (2008).
11. Shaunak Sen and Rintu Thomas
Two recent Jamia alumni earned Oscar nominations for documentaries. Shaunak Sen’s All That Breathes and Writing With Fire, co-directed by Rintu Thomas, were both nominated for Best Documentary Feature.
Journalists
12. Barkha Dutt
Barkha Dutt holds a master’s in mass communication from Jamia. She became known for her reporting during the Kargil war, received the Padma Shri in 2008, and now runs the digital news platform Mojo Story.
13. Anjana Om Kashyap
Anjana Om Kashyap studied journalism at Jamia and is one of Aaj Tak’s best-known anchors, hosting prime-time debate shows.
14. Arfa Khanum Sherwani
Arfa Khanum Sherwani studied at Jamia and has worked as a senior editor at The Wire, where she hosts interviews and discussion shows.
Scholars
15. Muzaffar Alam
Historian Muzaffar Alam, a specialist in Mughal India, studied at Jamia and is a professor at the University of Chicago.
16. Yasin Mazhar Siddiqi
The Islamic scholar and historian studied at Jamia and later served as director of the Institute of Islamic Studies at Aligarh Muslim University. He died in 2020.
17. Mohammad Najeeb Qasmi
Mohammad Najeeb Qasmi is an Islamic scholar and author who is listed among Jamia’s alumni.
Why Jamia produces so many media names
AJK MCRC, set up in 1982, combines film production, television and journalism training with hands-on work. Its alumni network in Mumbai and Delhi media is strong, which helps graduates find their first breaks. For more on Indian universities and admissions, see our education section, and read more profiles in people.
Further reading: Telegram.
Frequently asked questions
Did Shah Rukh Khan study at Jamia Millia Islamia?
Yes. He enrolled for a master’s in mass communication at Jamia’s AJK MCRC after Hansraj College but left before completing it.
What is Jamia Millia Islamia’s NIRF 2025 rank?
Jamia was ranked 4th in the university category and 13th overall in NIRF 2025, according to the university.
Which cricketer studied at Jamia?
Virender Sehwag, part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team, studied at Jamia Millia Islamia.
When was Jamia Millia Islamia founded?
It was founded on 29 October 1920 in Aligarh and later moved to Delhi.
Sources: Jamia Millia Islamia: NIRF 2025 press release, Wikipedia: List of Jamia Millia Islamia people, Bharatiya Hockey: Gagan Ajit Singh.
