IIRF Ranking 2026: IISc Bangalore retains top spot in government research excellence category

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, has secured Rank 1 in the IIRF Ranking 2026 under the Government Research Excellence (Non-IT & Non-Engineering) category.

The institute continues to lead the category, reflecting its standing as one of India's foremost centers for scientific research, innovation, and higher education.

Recognized as an Institution of Eminence by the University Grants Commission and a Centre of Excellence by the Ministry of Mines, IISc offers programs in science, engineering, design, and management. The institute provides more than 738 academic programs through 45 departments and academic units.

Top 3 government research excellence institutions in IIRF Ranking 2026

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, secured Rank 2 in the IIRF Government Research Excellence (Non-IT & Non-Engineering) Ranking 2026, while Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, Maharashtra, retained Rank 3. The top five institutions in the category remain unchanged from the previous rankings.

IISc Bangalore

IISc offers undergraduate, postgraduate, integrated doctoral, and doctoral programs across a wide range of disciplines.

Its undergraduate portfolio includes BTech programs in Mathematics and Computing, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanics and Computing, along with a four-year interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science program.

At the postgraduate level, IISc offers M.Tech programs in fields such as Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Microelectronics and VLSI, Bioengineering, and Semiconductor Technology. Other programs include Master of Design and Master of Management.

The institute also offers Integrated Ph.D., Ph.D., and M.Tech (Research) programs across scientific and engineering disciplines. Admissions to undergraduate engineering programs are based on national entrance examinations including JEE Main and JEE Advanced.

IISc has produced notable alumni across science, technology, academia, public service, and industry, including former ISRO chairpersons S. Somanath and K. Sivan, scientist C.N.R. Rao, philanthropist Sudha Murty, and former DRDO chief V.K. Aatre.

AIIMS New Delhi retains second position

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, secured Rank 2 in the IIRF Ranking 2026. Established in 1956, AIIMS is widely regarded as India's premier medical education, healthcare, and biomedical research institution.

AIIMS offers more than 100 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. Its flagship undergraduate course is the MBBS program, alongside nursing and paramedical programs.

The institute also offers MD, MS, MDS, M.Ch., M.Sc., M.Biotech, and Ph.D. programs across medical and life science disciplines. Admissions are conducted through national-level examinations such as NEET-UG and INI-CET.

Homi Bhabha National Institute holds third rank

Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, secured Rank 3 in the IIRF Government Research Excellence Ranking 2026. Established in 2005 under Section 3 of the UGC Act, HBNI focuses on advanced research and education in nuclear science, engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, mathematics, and medical sciences.

The institute has been accredited by NAAC with an A+ grade and offers research-oriented master's and doctoral programs linked to institutions under the Department of Atomic Energy.

Its academic portfolio includes Ph.D., integrated research programs, M.Tech, M.Sc. (Engineering), MD, MS, DM, MCh, and fellowship programs. Research methodology and publication ethics training are mandatory components of doctoral education at the institute.

Top 10 government research excellence institutions 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 Parameter

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.