IIRF Ranking 2026: NSU Manipur retains top spot among India's government sports universities

The National Sports University (NSU), Imphal, Manipur, has secured Rank 1 in the IIRF Ranking 2026 under the Government Sports University category.

The university continues to lead the category, reinforcing its position as India's first central university dedicated exclusively to sports education, sports sciences, physical education, coaching, and sports management.

Established in 2018, NSU offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and certificate programs in sports-related disciplines.

The university provides programs in physical education, sports coaching, sports management, sports science, and sports psychology, with a student intake of 150 across its academic offerings.

Top 3 government sports universities in IIRF Ranking 2026

Swarnim Gujarat Sports University (SGSU), Desar, Gujarat, secured Rank 2 in the IIRF Government Sports University Ranking 2026, while Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, retained Rank 3. There has been no change in the top 10 institutions compared with the previous rankings.

National Sports University

NSU offers specialized undergraduate and postgraduate programs designed for careers in sports education, coaching, sports administration, and athlete development.

Its undergraduate programs include Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports (B.P.E.S.), B.Sc. in Sports Coaching, and B.Sc. in Sports Management. At the postgraduate level, the university offers Master of Physical Education and Sports (M.P.E.S.), M.Sc. in Sports Coaching, M.Sc. in Sports Science, and M.A. in Sports Psychology.

The university also provides certificate programs and training opportunities focused on sports performance, coaching, and sports sciences.

Swarnim Gujarat Sports University retains second position

Swarnim Gujarat Sports University, established in 2011, secured Rank 2 in the IIRF Ranking 2026. The public university offers 41 undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs focused on sports, physical education, sports management, sports science, and allied disciplines.

Popular undergraduate programs include B.P.Ed., B.P.E.S., B.Sc. in Sports Coaching, B.Sc. in Sports Science, B.B.A. in Sports Management, and B.A. programs. The university also offers M.P.Ed., M.A. programs, Ph.D. degrees, M.Phil. programs, and postgraduate diplomas in Sports Journalism, Sports Nutrition, Disability Sports, and Adventure Sports Administration.

Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education holds third rank

Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, secured Rank 3 in the IIRF Government Sports University Ranking 2026.

The institute, which received Deemed-to-be University status in 1995, is dedicated to physical education, sports sciences, sports management, and sports research.

Originally established in 1957 as Lakshmibai College of Physical Education, the institution offers undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, doctoral, and certificate programs.

Academic offerings include B.P.Ed., M.P.Ed., Master of Sports Sciences, Master of Sports Management, M.A. in Yoga, M.A. in Sports Journalism, postgraduate diplomas in sports coaching and fitness management, and Ph.D. programs in Physical Education, Yoga, and interdisciplinary studies.

The institute has a student intake of 960 and remains one of India's leading institutions focused on physical education and sports studies.

Top 10 government sports 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.