Reform at core: NIRF 2025 ushers in change with retraction penalties and focus on ethics, SDGs

The approaching release of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 marks a new phase in how Indian colleges and universities are evaluated, with fresh methodologies and a sharper focus on transparency and research quality.

This year’s rankings will be announced in early September, following a brief delay caused by a Madras High Court order that temporarily paused the process over concerns about data manipulation.

The plea has since been dismissed, clearing the way for publication but keeping attention firmly on issues of credibility.

Key changes in NIRF 2025

For the first time, NIRF will feature a dedicated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) category.

Institutions will now be ranked not only on academic strength but also on contributions to broader social and environmental responsibility, aligning the framework more closely with global standards.

Another major reform is the introduction of negative marking for retracted research papers under the “Research and Professional Practices” parameter.

Publications withdrawn because of plagiarism, data fabrication, or fake peer review will result in penalties for the institution. The formula for calculating the penalty considers both the number and percentage of retracted papers.

Although the penalties are limited in this cycle, officials have confirmed that stricter enforcement will follow in future editions.

“Even if a paper counted in earlier years gets retracted later, the penalty will apply in the current cycle. This is to send a strong message against unethical practices,” said Anil Sahasrabudhe, chairperson of the National Board of Accreditation.

He noted that institutions with repeated violations could eventually be barred from the rankings altogether.

Research retractions and accountability

India is second only to China in the global tally of retracted research papers. Data from the Retraction Watch Database shows more than 5,400 retractions between 1996 and 2024, with an average rate of 1.8 per 1,000 publications.

Nearly half involved plagiarism or falsified data, 32% stemmed from compromised peer review or misconduct, and 12% were linked to flawed or unreliable findings.

The pace of retractions has accelerated in recent years: 1,212 in 2022, followed by 866 in 2023 and 860 in 2024.

In just the first seven months of 2025, 571 papers have already been withdrawn. Experts say the new penalties are overdue.

“Retractions are a symptom of a bigger malaise in the research ecosystem. Rankings reward quantity over quality, and retractions are a consequence of that,” said Achal Agrawal, founder of India Research Watch.

He stressed that reliable databases must be used to distinguish between genuine errors and serious misconduct.

Omission of medical college rankings

The 2025 rankings are expected to exclude the medical category after persistent irregularities were found in submitted data.

The absence of this segment is likely to affect medical aspirants who depend on NIRF for guidance, but officials said the decision was necessary to safeguard the framework’s credibility.

Methodology and assessment

Institutions are assessed across five broad parameters: Teaching, Learning and Resources (30%); Research and Professional Practices (30%); Graduation Outcomes (20%); Outreach and Inclusivity (10%); and Perception (10%).

Data are submitted through the centralized Data Capturing System and must also be made public on institutional websites.

After validation and feedback, a peer perception survey contributes to the final scores before the Ministry of Education announces the results.

Historical and recent context

Introduced in 2015, NIRF was created to provide India with a transparent, government-supervised ranking system, offering an alternative to private lists.

It currently covers 16 categories, including engineering, management, law, pharmacy, agriculture, architecture, and research institutions.

The 2024 edition saw IIT Madras retain the top overall position, followed by IISc Bengaluru and IIT Bombay. In the university category, IISc Bengaluru led the list, while Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia ranked second and third.

AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and CMC Vellore topped the medical category, which now faces exclusion in 2025.

Recent reforms have expanded the scope of the framework. Last year, state public universities and open universities were added as separate categories, self-citations were removed from research scoring, and sustainability-linked indicators were introduced.

These moves paved the way for this year’s sharper focus on ethical practices and sustainability.

Implications for students and institutions

With the inclusion of SDG-based scoring and penalties for retracted research, the 2025 rankings are set to reshape how institutions prioritize teaching and research.

While the list remains a key guide for students and families, experts advise viewing it as one of several factors when choosing colleges. Infrastructure, faculty quality, and student support continue to be equally important.

As the ninth edition of NIRF prepares for release, it signals a new era in institutional accountability.

By placing sustainability and integrity alongside traditional academic measures, the rankings are moving toward a model that reflects both national priorities and global benchmarks.