NIRF 2025 Rankings

Overall Ranking

• IIT Madras retained the top overall position for the 7th consecutive year.

• Also ranked best engineering college for the 10th straight year.

Minister’s Criticism

• Union Education Minister questioned the ‘peer perception’ parameter (10% weight).

• Concerns:

  • Possible regional bias – metro institutions score higher.

  • Government-funded/state-run institutions may fall behind.

• Suggested reforms:

  • Include entrepreneurship outcomes.

  • Adopt data-driven approaches.

  • Ensure “one nation, one data” ranking mechanism.

NIRF Parameters (Current)

1. Teaching, Learning & Resources.

2. Research & Professional Practice.

3. Graduation Outcomes.

4. Outreach & Inclusivity.

5. Peer Perception.

Category-Wise Leaders

• Universities: IISc Bengaluru (10th year in a row).

• Research Institutions: IISc Bengaluru (5th year).

• Management: IIM Ahmedabad (6th year).

• Medical: AIIMS New Delhi (8th year).

• Pharmacy: Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi.

• Architecture & Planning: IIT Roorkee.

• Colleges: Hindu College, Delhi (2nd year; replaced Miranda House).

• Law: NLSIU Bengaluru (8th year).

• Open Universities: IGNOU, New Delhi.

Top State Public Universities

1. Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

2. Anna University, Chennai.

3. Panjab University, Chandigarh.

4. Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.

5. Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram.

Significance

• Marks the 10th edition of NIRF rankings.

• Growth seen with more institutions participating.

• Reflects stable progress of India’s higher education sector, but challenges remain in quality and access.