National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

National Institutional Ranking Framework is an initiative by the Indian government to assess and rank higher education institutions in the country. Read more about National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), Highlights, Latest News

National Institutional Ranking

National Institutional Ranking Framework Latest News

In a first, starting this year, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) will award negative scores to higher educational institutions for papers that have been retracted from journals in the last three calendar years and their corresponding citations.

About National Institutional Ranking Framework

  • The NIRF is an initiative by the Indian government to assess and rank higher education institutions in the country.
  • It was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Education.
  • It outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country on the basis of defined parameters including:
    • Teaching, Learning,  and Resources
    • Research and Professional Practices
    • Graduation Outcomes
    • Outreach and Inclusivity
    • Perception
  • Every year the Ministry releases NIRF rankings in different categories, including- Overall Ranking, University Ranking, Engineering Ranking, College Ranking, Management Ranking, Pharmacy Ranking, Law Ranking, Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Architecture Ranking, Medical Ranking, Dental and Research Institutions. 
  • Furthermore, for a simplified approach, the institutions are grouped as Category A (Institutions of National Importance, State Universities, Deemed-To-Be-Universities, Private Universities, and Autonomous institutions), and Category B (Institutions affiliated with a university).
  • It aims to facilitate students to make informed decisions about their education and encourages institutions to improve their standards and quality.  
  • Each institute and university is evaluated and assessed every year, and the NIRF rank is updated annually.

Key highlights of NIRF 2024 Rankings

  • MoE released the ninth edition of NIRF in August 2024. 
  • The NIRF 2024 rankings have seen an increased participation of institutions over the years. 
  • From 3,500 institutions in its inaugural year to over 6,500 unique institutions participating across 16 categories in 2024, there has been an impressive 86 percent increase in participation.
  • IIT Madras retains its 1st position in the Overall Category for the sixth consecutive year, i.e.,  2019 to 2024,  and in Engineering for the 9th consecutive year, , i.e. from 2016 to 2024.
  • Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru tops the Universities Category for the ninth consecutive year, i.e., from 2016 to 2024. It stood first in the Research Institutions Category for the fourth consecutive year, i.e., from 2021 to 2024.
  • IIM Ahmedabad tops in the Management subject retaining its first position for the fifth consecutive year, i.e., from 2020 to 2024.
  • AIIMS, New Delhi, occupies the top slot in Medical for the seventh consecutive year, i.e., from 2018 to 2024. 
  • Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, tops the ranking in Pharmacy this year.
  • National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, retains its first position in Law.
  • The Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, takes the top slot in Dental subject for the third consecutive year.
  • Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, takes the top slot in Agriculture and Allied Sectors for the second consecutive year.
  • IIT Roorkee retained its 1st position in Architecture and Planning for the fourth consecutive year.
  • IIT Kanpur tops in the Innovation category.

Source: TH

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National Institutional Ranking Framework FAQs

Q1. When was the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) launched?+

Q2. Which institute secured the 1st rank in the Overall category of NIRF 2024?+

Q3. Which institute topped the University category in the NIRF 2024 rankings?+

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