Top Institutions List: What's NIRF? Where Does Your University Rank?

Where do universities and colleges stand? Why did the Centre decide to rank them? Image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo Courtesy: Miranda House)

The IIT-Madras, IISc-Bangalore, and IIT-Bombay have emerged as the country’s top three higher education institutions, as per the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF), released on Thursday, 9 September.

Where do universities and colleges stand? Why did the Centre decide to rank them?

Here's all you need to know.

What is NIRF?

The National Institute Ranking Framework, first launched in 2016 by the Centre, is an effort to rank higher education instituitons in the country.

Until 2016, the ranking of colleges and universities were done usually by private entities like media organisations.

Around 6,000 institutions participated in the NIRF this year. While it was voluntary initially, it was made mandatory for government-run institutions in 2018.

What are the parameters for ranking?

• Teaching

• Learning and resources

• Research

• Graduation outcomes

• Outreach and inclusivity

• Perception

Are there separate rankings for various streams?

Yes. There are 11 categories in which institutions are ranked.

• Overall national ranking

• Universities

• Colleges

• Engineering

• Medical

• Management

• Pharmacy

• Law

• Architecture

• Dental

• Research

Which are the top 10 colleges?

• Miranda House, Delhi

• Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi

• Loyala College, Chennai

• St Xaviers College, Kolkata

• Ramkrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Howrah

• PSGR Krishanammal College for Women, Coimbatore

• Presidency College, Chennai

• St Stephen College, Delhi

• Hindu College, Delhi

• Shri Ram College for Commerce, Delhi

Which are the top 15 universities?

• IIT-Madras

• IIS, Bengaluru

• IIT-Bombay

• IIT-Delhi

• IIT-Kanpur

• IIT-Kharagpur

• IIT-Roorkee

• IIT-Guwahati

• Jawaharlal Nehru University

• Banaras Hindu University

• Calcutta University

• Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

• Jamia Millia Islamia

• Jadavpur University

• Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Are only Indian institutions included?

Yes, only Indian institutions are included as of now. However, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said that the NIRF coud be a ranking benchmark globally, especially for developing countries.