National Institutional Ranking Framework

National Institutional Ranking Framework is a methodology adopted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India, to rank all institutions of higher education in India. The Framework was approved by the MHRD and launched by Minister of Human Resource Development on 29 September 2015. There are separate rankings for different types of institutions depending on their areas of operation like universities and colleges, engineering institutions, management institutions, pharmacy institutions and architecture institutions.

The Framework uses several parameters for ranking purposes like resources, research, and stakeholder perception. These parameters have been grouped into five clusters and these clusters were assigned certain weightages. The weightages depend on the type of institution. About 3500 institutions voluntarily participated in the first round of rankings. The ranked lists were released by MHRD on 4 April 2016.

This framework outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country. The methodology draws from the overall recommendations broad understanding arrived at by a Core Committee set up by MHRD, to identify the broad parameters for ranking various universities and institutions. The parameters broadly cover “Teaching, Learning and Resources,” “Research and Professional Practices,” “Graduation Outcomes,” “Outreach and Inclusivity,” and “Perception.”

India Rankings – 2016 based on this framework were released on 4th April 2016. For India Rankings – 2017, the main ranking parameters remain the same. However, there are a few significant changes in a few sub-parameters. Also, this year every large institution will be considered for a common overall rank as well as a discipline specific rank as applicable.

Since there were major inconsistencies in data relating to Category B institutions in all domains, no rankings were announced for Category B institutions in 2016. Also, since there were not enough participation in the domains of Architecture and General Degree Colleges, no rankings were announced for these. The ‘India Rankings 2016’ were put together with the participation of 3,500 private and public institutions, which were ranked by National Bureau of Accreditation (NBA) based on five criteria — teaching and learning resources, graduation outcome, perception, outreach and inclusivity and research productivity.

All institutions were judged based on self-disclosure of information. IIT Madras emerged on the top as the topmost engineering college, followed by IIT Mumbai and IIT Kharagpur. The top management institution is IIM Bangalore, while Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore is the best university in India.