Reactions to India Rankings 2023 released on June 5 are continuing to pour in and the trend suggests these rankings under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) are coming of age and public institutions in particular getting a knack of it.
Continuing its remarkable strides in global and national rankings, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has made an excellent mark in these rankings. In a groundbreaking feat, IITK has topped the “India Rankings 2023: Innovation” category, and is almost tied up for the third spot with IIT Bombay in the Engineering category, with a mere difference of 0.09 points. These remarkable achievements mark a momentous leap for the institute echoing its relentless efforts to promote research and development across sectors.
IIT Kanpur’s performance in the Innovation category, earlier referred as the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA), has been phenomenal, catapulting it to the top position from its previous rank of 4th. This significant advancement to the top spot bears testimony to the sprawling R&D ecosystem at IIT Kanpur with its unwavering focus on innovation and its ability to foster an ecosystem conducive to cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial endeavors. With record-breaking 109 IPRs filed in 2022 and 950 overall IPRs filed till date, along with 130 technologies being licensed to Industry partners, the Institute has a remarkable translational rate of 13.68%.
Expressing his delight on IIT Kanpur topping in the innovation category, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director IIT Kanpur, said, “This accomplishment is a testament to the remarkable growth of IIT Kanpur’s innovation ecosystem in recent years. Our Incubation Centre (Startup Incubation & Innovation Centre) has experienced rapid expansion, nurturing startups in some of the most cutting-edge technologies such as Cyber Security, Blockchain, Defence, AI/ML, CleanTech, GreenTech, AgriTech, and Fintech.”
In the same manner, IIM Kozhikode has attained Rank #3 in the coveted NIRF India Rankings 2023: Management. By climbing up two slots from the previous year, IIMK has displaced IIM Calcutta from the Top 3 spot and is now placed at 3rd rank overall, among Management Schools in the country. The significant showing has come as a result of IIM Kozhikode gaining points in Research and Professional Practice (RP) and Perception (PR).
Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director IIMK reacted by saying, “It is a matter of great pride and prestige for IIM Kozhikode to attain Rank 3 in NIRF 2023 Rankings. The career best ranking is a testimony to the selfless contribution of our proficient faculty members, efficient administration, our magnificent students, alumni and recruiters and the ever supportive governments. We will continue on the path of embracing dynamic reforms, encouraging research and propagating our Institute mission of Globalizing Indian Thought.”
IIM Kashipur has secured 19th rank among the top 50 Management colleges and has also become the only IIM to get into the Top 50 in NIRF- ARIIA (Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements) quotient, leaving behind other IIMs. Prof. Mala Srivastava, Dean of Academics, IIM Kashipur, said, “We are striving to improve the quality of teaching, learning and research at the institute. We rose from 33rd place in the NIRF rating in 2021 to 19th place in 2023. I have faith that the institute will continue to perform better across all the parameters in the years to come as it strives to rank among India’s top 10 Management Institutes. We credit this success to the institute’s improved perception in terms of research, placement opportunities, and learning environment.”
Key Highlights of India Rankings 2023
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras retains its 1stposition in Overall Category for fifth consecutive year, i.e. 2019 to 2023 and in Engineering for eighth consecutive year, , i.e. from 2016 to 2023..
- Top 100 in Overall category consists of 44 CFTIs/ CFUs INI, 24 state universities, 13 deemed universities, 18 private universities, 4 agriculture and allied sector institutions, and 3 management institutions.
- Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru tops the Universities Category for eighth consecutive years, i.e. from 2016 to 2023. It stood first in Research Institutions Category for the third consecutive year, i.e. from 2021 to 2023.
- IIM Ahmedabad tops in Management subject retaining its first position for fourth consecutive year, i.e. from 2020 to 2023. It was ranked amongst top two in Management subject of the India Rankings from 2016 to 2019.
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi occupies the top slot in Medical for the sixth consecutive year, i.e. from 2018 to 2023. Moreover, AIIMS is ranked at 6thposition in Overall category thereby improving from its 9th position in 2022.
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad tops the ranking in Pharmacy for first time pushing Jamia Hamdard to the second slot. Jamia Hamdard was ranked at 1stposition for four consecutive years, i.e., from 2019 to 2022.
- Miranda House retains the 1stposition amongst Colleges for the seventh consecutive year, i.e. from 2017 to 2023.
- IIT Roorkee stands at 1stposition in Architecture subject for third consecutive year, i.e. from 2021 to 2023.
- National Law School of India University, Bengaluru retains its first position in Law for the sixth consecutive year, i.e. from 2018 to 2023
- Colleges in Delhi maintained their dominance in ranking of Colleges with five colleges out of first 10 colleges from Delhi.
- The Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences takes the top slot for the second consecutive year.
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi takes the top slot in Agriculture and Allied Sectors.
- Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur tops in Innovation category.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has expressed its delight that the NIRF ranking system has recognized it as a leading institution in India. The university is ranked in the top 10 universities list and overall (ranked 15) is among the only three private universities to find a place in the list of Top 20 universities. Expressing joy at being ranked among India’s top ten universities, Dr. P Venkat Rangan, Vice Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, said: “Our pedagogical methods, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, promote inclusive and interactive learning. We have invested significantly in faculty recruitment, attracting brilliant academics to our classrooms. Two new Amrita campuses in Faridabad NCR and Amaravati Andhra Pradesh have expanded our reach. To drive interdisciplinary research and innovation, we have established futuristic networked research centers focused on generative AI, sustainable development, and biomedical sciences. These centers have played a crucial role in fostering collaboration and pushing boundaries. In order to foster industry engagement, we have various MoUs with industry players and even collaborate with foreign universities too. These efforts all result in outstanding placements as well to the students. Under the guidance of our Chancellor Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, we are fully dedicated to advancing higher education in India and making meaningful contributions to society. Our research approach, faculty, and facilities are world-class and driven by compassion.”
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) Faridabad, sets a new milestone in the Ministry of Education’s NIRF India Rankings 2023. It has been ranked among the top four private universities of Haryana (University Category). Ecstatic on receiving these rankings, Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, ManavRachna Educational Institutions congratulated all the people of Haryana and the team at Manav Rachna. “These rankings strengthen our belief in the quality and consistence. This ranking is a testimony to the empowering vision of ManavRachna to create a holistic environment where students grow as an individual and prepare themselves for the greater world”, he said. Expressing his delighted over the glorious rankings, Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, VC, MRIIRS said, “MRIIRS has been securing top places among the top institute of India across engineering, management, dental sciences, research and many others. NIRF rankings 2023 re-affirm our stance on quality education, best infrastructure, industry support and excellent placements across all our courses.”
NMIMS University too has expressed happiness at the recognition it has received in the NIRF rankings 2023. Dr Ramesh Bhat, Vice Chancellor of NMIMS University, expressed his pride, stating, “The recent NIRF ranking, where NMIMS appears in the top 50 institutes in the country, highlights the exceptional performance of the University. Our relentless pursuit of academic excellence, industry collaborations, and holistic student development has contributed to our improved overall ranking.”
He added, “The remarkable climb of our School of Business Management (SBM) by four notches to reach the 21st position showcases our commitment to delivering a world-class management education. The consistent rank of 11 for our Pharmacy School for two consecutive years reflects the dedication of our faculty and the quality of education imparted. The rankings validate our unwavering dedication to excellence and inspire us to continue raising the bar in education and research. We remain steadfast in our mission to nurture future leaders and make a significant impact on society.”
NMIMS Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School Of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM) which has retained the 11th rank in NIRF Ranking this year as well, also bags the first rank in the private schools in Maharashtra amongst other pharmacy colleges besides becoming the youngest deemed-to-be universities and pharmacy schools to achieve this milestone.
Dr. Jagannath Sahoo, the Dean of SPPSPTM, expressing his satisfaction with the NIRF ranking commented, “We owe our success to the unwavering support of our progressive management, led by Honourable Chancellor Shri Amrishbhai Patel and Dr. Ramesh Bhat, Vice Chancellor of SVKM’s NMIMS.”
He highlighted the Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School Of Pharmacy & Technology Management’s focus on student-centric, outcome-based learning and research to produce employable and socially responsible graduates who meet the healthcare sector’s demands.
Background Information
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), introduced by the Ministry of Education since 2015, outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country, is considered to be the most authoritative in India. The parameters for ranking include Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR, 30%), Research and Professional Practice (RP, 30%), Graduation Outcomes (GO, 20%), Outreach and Inclusivity (OI, 10%) and Perception (PR, 10).
The 2023 edition India Rankings was released by Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, MoS, Ministry of Education in presence of K Sanjay Murthy, Secretary (HE), Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, Prof. Anil Sahasrabuddhe, Chairman, NETF and NBA, Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman, AICTE and Dr. Anil Kumar Nassa, Member Secretary, NBA.
A total number of 5,543 unique institutions offered themselves for ranking under “Overall”, category-specific and / or domain-specific rankings for India Rankings 2023. In all, 8,686 applications for ranking were made by these 5,543 unique institutions under various categories / domains including 2,478 in Overall Category, 1,314 in Engineering, and 2,746 in General Degree Colleges. A noticeable increase in institutional participation in the rankings exercise this year indicates its recognition amongst institutions of higher education in India as a fair and transparent ranking exercise. Number of unique applicants to India Rankings have increased from 2,426 in 2016 to 5,543 in 2023 whereas total number of applications for ranking in various categories have increased from 3,565 in 2016, to 8,686 in 2023 i.e. total increase of 3,117 (128.48% increase) in number of unique institutions and 5,121 (143.65% increase) in total number of applicants.
This is the eighth consecutive edition of India Rankings of HEIs in India. Three distinct additions of 2023 edition of India Rankings are as follows:
- Introduction of a new subject namely Agriculture & Allied Sectors
- Integration of “Innovation” ranking previously executed by the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) into the India Rankings with an aim to reduce the burden on institutions of providing similar data to two different agencies.
- Expansion of scope of “Architecture” to “Architecture and Planning” to include institutions imparting courses in Urban and Town Planning.
With the addition of new category (Innovation) subject domain (Agriculture & Allied Sectors) and expansion of “Architecture” to “Architecture and Planning”, the existing portfolio of India Rankings has increased to 13 categories and subject domains that have been ranked in India Rankings 2023.
Increase in Number of Institutions Ranked in India Rankings from 2016 to 2023
100 institutions are being ranked in Overall, Universities, Colleges and Engineering since inception of India Rankings in 2016. Moreover, number of institutions ranked in Management and Pharmacy have been increased from 75 to100 each from 2022 onwards. However, number of institutions ranked are restricted between 30 and 50 in subject domains namely Architecture, Law, Medical, Dental as well as in Research Institutions. Additional rankings are suitably bunched in Rank Bands of 101-150 and 151-200 in case of Overall, Universities, Colleges and Engineering and 101-125 in case of Pharmacy and Management.
