 Historically , Varanasi has been a centre for education in India , attracting students and scholars from across the country . Varanasi has an overall literacy rate of 80 % ( male literacy : 85 % , female literacy : 75 % ) . It is home to a number of colleges and universities . Most notably , it is the site of Banaras Hindu University ( BHU ) , which is one of the largest residential universities in Asia with over 20 @,@ 000 students . The Indian Institute of Technology , BHU is designated an Institute of National Importance and is one of 16 Indian Institutes of Technology . Other colleges and universities in Varanasi include <unk> Arabic College , the Institute of Integrated Management and Technology ( <unk> ) , Mahatma Gandhi Kashi <unk> , <unk> <unk> Kala <unk> , <unk> Sanskrit University , Sri <unk> <unk> <unk> College , and <unk> <unk> <unk> College . Various engineering colleges have been established in the outskirts of the city . 
