NIRF Rankings: IIT Madras Best in Country, IISc Bengaluru Best University

Srinagar: The Ministry of Education announced the NIRF 2025 results, with IIT Madras topping the overall rankings for theseventh straight year. The institute also led in engineeringand innovation, reaffirming its dominance in research and technology. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, retained its status as the best university in the country, while also topping the category for research institutions. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, secured the second rank, followed by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education at third. In the State Public Universities category, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, was ranked first, followed by Anna University, Chennai, and Panjab University, Chandigarh, which secured the third spot. Panjab University also featured among the top-three in the pharmacy category through its University of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Notably, the university’s overall ranking has not yet been released, but last year it slipped to 60th place — its lowest since the NIRF was launched in 2016. Among colleges, Delhi University’s Hindu College bagged the top rank, followed by Miranda House and Hansraj College, both also part of the DU ecosystem. These institutions have consistently performed well in teaching, learning resources, and student outcomes, reinforcing DU’s dominance in undergraduate education. Management: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, maintained its top position as India’s best management institute, followed by IIM-Bangalore and IIM-Kozhikode. Law: The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, once again secured the title of best law college. Medical & Dental: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, was ranked as the best medical and dental institution.

Pharmacy: Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, stood first in the pharmacy category, followed by BITS Pilani and Panjab University. Agriculture: The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Delhi, was adjudged the best agricultural institution. Architecture & Planning: IIT-Roorkee emerged as the leader, followed by the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kozhikode, and IIT-Kharagpur. Emerging and Specialized Categories This year, NIRF introduced a new category on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting global benchmarks in higher education. IIT Madras topped this category, demonstrating its efforts toward sustainability and impactful research. In addition, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi, was named the best open university, while Symbiosis Skills and Professional University secured the top rank in the skill universities category.

Ranking Framework The NIRF 2025 evaluated institutions under 17 categories, with rankings determined by performance across five parameters: 1. Teaching, Learning, and Resources 2. Research and Professional Practice 3. Graduation Outcomes 4. Outreach and Inclusivity 5. Perception