NIRF Rankings 2024 Announced: IISc Bengaluru Tops Research Institutions category, followed by 4 IITs

Top Research Institutions in India 2024: The Ministry of Education has unveiled the much-anticipated National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024, marking the ninth edition of this prestigious ranking system. In a significant achievement, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Ben galuru, has once again secured the top spot in the Research Institutions category, reaffirming its position as the premier research institute in the country.

This year's NIRF rankings have seen a record participation of 10,885 higher education institutions across India, nearly double the number from the previous year, reflecting the growing competitiveness and importance of these rankings. The framework evaluates institutions across five comprehensive parameters: teaching, learning and resources, research and professional practice, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and perception.

Also Read: NIRF University Rankings 2024: IISc Bangalore maintains Top Spot, Manipal University rises.

Top 20 Research Institutions in India

IISc Bengaluru’s continued dominance in the research category is a testament to its world-class faculty, cutting-edge research, and significant contributions to various scientific fields. It has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation in India, and this year's ranking further solidifies its position as a leader in academia.

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have also performed exceptionally well in the research category, with IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIT Kharagpur rounding out the top five positions. These institutes have been recognized for their advanced research facilities, strong industry connections, and impactful research output.

New Categories and Upcoming Initiatives

This year’s edition introduced three new categories — Open Universities, Skill Universities, and State-Funded Government Universities — reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to inclusivity and comprehensive evaluation of the diverse higher education landscape in India.

AICTE Chairperson, Anil Sahasrabudhe, announced that the Ministry of Education plans to introduce a new ‘Sustainability Rankings’ category in the 2025 edition of the NIRF, aligning with global trends and the increasing emphasis on sustainability in education.

Also Read: NIRF Ranking 2024: Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai ranks #1 in dental institution category.

Revised Evaluation Criteria

The NIRF 2024 rankings also featured revised evaluation criteria, particularly in the faculty-to-student ratios. For medical institutions, the ratio has been adjusted from 1:15 to 1:10, while state-funded government universities have seen an increase in the ratio from 1:15 to 1:20. These changes are aimed at ensuring that institutions are evaluated based on their ability to provide quality education and maintain adequate faculty resources.

Conclusion

The NIRF rankings have become an essential tool for students, educators, and policymakers, offering insights into the performance and quality of higher education institutions across the country. As IISc Bengaluru and the IITs continue to lead in the research domain, the focus on emerging categories and sustainability underscores the evolving priorities in Indian higher education.