14-August-2024-Editorial

NATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL RANKING FRAMEWORK (NIRF) 2024

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), introduced by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in 2015, is a significant initiative aimed at assessing and ranking higher education institutions in India.

The NIRF rankings are highly anticipated each year, as they provide a transparent and objective evaluation of institutions based on a variety of parameters.

The NIRF 2024 rankings have once again spotlighted the leading institutions in India’s educational landscape, along with some notable new additions and categories.

Key Highlights of NIRF 2024

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras

• Maintained its top position in the ‘Overall’ and ‘Engineering’ categories for six and nine consecutive years, respectively.
• Secured the second position in both the ‘Research Institutions’ and ‘Innovations’ categories.

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru

• Dominated the ‘Universities’ category, securing the top spot for the ninth consecutive year.
• Retained the first position in the ‘Research Institutions’ category for the fourth consecutive year.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad

• Topped the ‘Management’ category for the fifth year in a row.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

• Continued to lead the ‘Medical’ category for the seventh consecutive year.
• Ranked 7th in the ‘Overall’ category, showcasing its consistent performance.

Delhi University (DU)

• Made a significant leap in the ‘Overall’ rankings, moving from 11th to 6th place, and re-entered the top 10 universities in India.
• DU’s Hindu College claimed the top position among colleges for the first time, surpassing Miranda House, which had held the top spot for seven consecutive years.
• Stephen’s College secured the third position, completing the top three in the college rankings.

New Additions to the NIRF 2024

Introduction of New Categories

• The 2024 edition of the NIRF introduced three new categories: State Public Universities, Open Universities, and Skill Universities.
• Anna University led the State Public Universities category, while Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) topped the Open Universities category.
• Symbiosis Skill and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, ranked first in the newly introduced Skill Universities category.
• The NIRF 2024 rankings also integrated an “Innovation” ranking, expanding the framework to cover 16 categories and subject domains.

Looking Forward: Sustainability Rankings

• The Ministry of Education announced plans to introduce a new category for Sustainability Rankings in the NIRF 2025 edition.
• This category will assess institutions on their commitment to environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and green campus initiatives.

Increased Participation

• The number of unique institutions participating in the NIRF rankings increased from 2,426 in 2016 to 6,517 in 2024.
• The rise in the number of applications underscores the growing recognition and importance of the NIRF rankings within the Indian education system.

About the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

The NIRF was launched by the Ministry of Education in 2015 as a tool to evaluate and rank higher education institutions in India.

Parameters for Ranking

• The framework assesses institutions based on five broad parameters: Teaching, Learning, and Resources; Research and Professional Practices; Graduation Outcomes; Outreach and Inclusivity; and Perception.

Conclusion

The NIRF 2024 rankings have once again highlighted the excellence of Indian institutions across various categories. With the introduction of new categories and a growing number of participating institutions, the NIRF continues to play a crucial role in shaping the higher education landscape in India.

As the framework evolves, it promises to offer even more comprehensive insights into the performance and quality of Indian educational institutions, further aiding students, educators, and policymakers in making informed decisions.