IIRF Ranking 2026: ICAR-IARI retains top spot among India's government agriculture and horticulture universities

ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, has secured Rank 1 in the IIRF Ranking 2026 under the Government Agriculture & Horticulture University category.

The institute has retained its top position from IIRF Ranking 2025, continuing its leadership among India's premier agricultural universities and research institutions.

Established in 1905, ICAR-IARI is one of India's leading agricultural education and research institutions. Based in New Delhi, the institute offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in agricultural sciences and related disciplines.

Top 3 government agriculture and horticulture universities in IIRF Ranking 2026

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, retained Rank 2 in the IIRF Government Agriculture & Horticulture University Ranking 2026, while Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, continued at Rank 3. The top three positions remain unchanged from the 2025 rankings.

ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute

ICAR-IARI offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs focused on agricultural sciences, biotechnology, agricultural engineering, and related fields.

Undergraduate programs include B.Sc. (Agriculture), B.Sc. (Community Science), B.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering, and B.Tech. in Biotechnology. Admissions to undergraduate programs are based on NTA-CUET scores followed by ICAR counseling.

At the postgraduate level, the institute offers M.Sc. and M.Tech. degrees across 28 specialized disciplines, including Genetics and Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Statistics, Entomology, Post-Harvest Technology, Water Science and Technology, and Agricultural Chemicals.

The institute also offers Ph.D. programs in 26 disciplines covering agricultural sciences, natural resource management, biotechnology, and basic sciences.

Admissions to postgraduate and doctoral programs are conducted through examinations managed by the Education Division of ICAR and the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Punjab Agricultural University retains second position

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, secured Rank 2 in the IIRF Ranking 2026. Established in 1962, PAU is widely recognized for its contribution to India's Green Revolution and agricultural development.

The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs through its constituent colleges, including the College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, and College of Basic Sciences & Humanities.

PAU has received an A+ grade from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and is known for its research in crop breeding, renewable energy-based farming technologies, and agricultural mechanization.

Admissions to major programs such as B.Sc. Agriculture and B.Tech courses are based on state-level entrance examinations and academic performance.

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University holds third rank

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, secured Rank 3 in the IIRF Government Agriculture & Horticulture University Ranking 2026. The university retained the same position it held in the 2025 rankings, maintaining its place among India's leading agricultural institutions.

Top 10 government agriculture and horticulture universities in IIRF Ranking 2026

About IIRF Ranking

The Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) is a ranking system that evaluates more than 5,000 academic institutions across India.

It ranks universities, colleges, and business schools based on research performance, placements, faculty quality, industry collaboration, and other institutional indicators. IIRF is registered under India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) through the Companies Act, 2013.

The IIRF India Ranking conducts a comprehensive assessment of more than 2,500 institutions, including over 500 universities, 300 engineering colleges, 300 business schools, 300 undergraduate colleges, and more than 100 institutions each in law, design, architecture, medicine, dental sciences, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and public health.

IIRF Ranking Parameters

• The rankings are based on nine key parameters:
• Academic Reputation: The Pedagogy of Practice (25%)
• Graduate Outcome & Employability: The Return on Investment (23%)
• Research Outcome: Volume, Income & Reputation (22%)
• Demand Ratio & Student Profile (6%)
• Employer Reputation & International Outlook (6%)
• Wellbeing & Institutional Development (5%)
• Peer Perception and Alumni Feedback (4%)
• Public Perception & Data Verification (4%)
• Impact and Value Addition (5%)

The ranking framework provides insights to students, parents, educators, and policymakers seeking information on higher education institutions in India. More details are available at www.iirfranking.com.