--- title: Top NIRF Ranked Universities 2026 in India description: Check the latest NIRF Ranking 2025 university list, top 10 universities in India, ranking methodology, scores, placements, and admission insights. --- # **NIRF Rankings 2025 University - Overview of Top Universities** Updated: 13 August 2026, 4:38 pm IST * * * This blog lists India’s top universities according to the latest NIRF rankings. It provides an overview of premier institutions across streams, highlights key metrics such as scores, placements, and courses offered, and helps students compare and select the best universities for their higher-education goals in 2025.   * * * ## Introduction Every year, students across India use the NIRF rankings to shortlist colleges, compare universities, and make one of the most important decisions of their academic life. The 2025 edition, released by the Ministry of Education on September 4, 2025, received 14,163 applications from 7,692 unique institutions across 17 categories, the highest participation in the framework's history. In the University category, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru leads with a score of 83.29, followed by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at 69.80 and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) at 68.11. Amity University, Noida, holds the 32nd position with a score of 56.14. This post covers the complete **NIRF ranking of universities** **in India** for 2025, the parameters used to calculate scores, and how to read the data when shortlisting your options.   * * * * * * ## What is NIRF Ranking? NIRF stands for National Institutional Ranking Framework. The **NIRF ranking full form** itself tells you what it does: it is a structured framework for ranking institutions of higher learning across India. In the context of education, NIRF's full form reflects the government's commitment to providing students with a reliable, data-driven system for comparing colleges and universities, rather than relying on reputation or word of mouth alone. The NIRF ranking's meaning goes beyond a simple list. It is a methodology approved by the Ministry of Education in 2015 that evaluates institutions on five measurable parameters and converts that data into scores and ranks. The first rankings were published in April 2016, and the system has run every year since. Though the **NIRF ranking 2026** has not been released yet, by 2025, the 10th edition of the NIRF ranking covered 14,163 institutions across 17 categories.   **Also Read:** [What Is Deemed To Be University in India](https://amityonline.com/blog/what-Is-deemed-to-be-university-in-india)   * * * ## Top 10 Universities based on NIRF Ranking 2025 The Ministry of Education released the NIRF ranking of universities in India on September 4, 2025. This was the 10th edition. Looking at the top universities in India as per NIRF ranking 2025, the University category sees IISc Bengaluru at the top, followed by JNU and Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The **NIRF university ranking** list below reflects the updated standings: University / College  State  Score  Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, Karnataka 83.97 Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) New Delhi 70.54 Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Manipal, Karnataka 68.41 Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) New Delhi 67.89 University of Delhi New Delhi 66.72 Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 65.90 BITS Pilani Pilani, Rajasthan 65.44 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 65.38 Jadavpur University Kolkata, West Bengal 65.20 Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 64.91 > **Note**: _Among the top universities in India ranked by NIRF, Amity University Noida moved to 22nd in the University category in 2025, up from 32nd the year before, with a score of 59.68. In the Overall NIRF ranking of universities in India, Amity ranked 37th._ * * * ## NIRF Ranking Parameters and Weightage NIRF presents rankings to Indian universities and colleges based on scores obtained by them across five parameters. Each institution is scored out of 100 on each parameter, and the final score is a weighted aggregate. ### How Is NIRF Ranking Calculated The NIRF ranking is based on five core parameters. Every institution submits data against these parameters, NIRF verifies it, and then calculates a weighted score out of 100. That score determines the rank within each category. Here is how the weightage breaks down for the University category: Core Parameters  Weightage  Max Marks  Teaching, Learning and Resources (TLR) 30% 30 Research and Professional Practice (RP) 30% 30 Graduation Outcomes (GO) 20% 20  Outreach and Inclusivity (OI) 10% 10  Perception (PR) 10% 10  Total  100% 100 Teaching and Research both carry 30% weight, making them the two factors that most directly determine where a university lands in the NIRF ranking. Graduation outcomes, which include placement rates and PhD output, add another 20%. Inclusivity and perception, while important signals, together account for only 20%.   * * * ## Category-wise NIRF Ranking List 2025 The complete **NIRF ranking list** covers 17 categories in 2025. Beyond the University category, **NIRF ranking universities** **in India** are also evaluated across Engineering, Management, Law, Medical, Pharmacy, Colleges, and several other streams. Below are the top institutions from the most searched NIRF ranking categories: Category  Rank 1 Institution ( NIRF 2025 )  Rank 2 Institution Overall IIT Madras IISc Bengaluru University IISc Bengaluru JNU Engineering IIT Madras IIT Delhi Management IIM Ahmedabad IIM Bangalore Medical AIIMS New Delhi PGIMER Chandigarh Law NLSIU Bengaluru NLU Delhi Colleges Hindu College, Delhi Miranda House, Delhi NIRF 2025 added a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) category for the first time. This section ranks institutions based on their contributions to green practices, social responsibility, and sustainability, going beyond the traditional academic metrics measured by the other categories. ### 1\. NIRF Engineering Rankings 2025 IIT Madras holds the top position in the Engineering category for the tenth consecutive year, with a score of 88.72. The top 10 is dominated by IITs, with NIT Tiruchirappalli being the only NIT to break into that group at rank 9. Rank  Institution  City, State  Sector  1 Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai, Tamil Nadu 88.72 2 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi New Delhi, Delhi 85.74 3 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Mumbai, Maharashtra 83.65 4 Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 81.82 5 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Kharagpur, West Bengal 78.69 6 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Roorkee, Uttarakhand 75.44 7 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Hyderabad, Telangana 72.31 8 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati, Assam 72.24 9 National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 68.14 10 IIT (BHU) Varanasi Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 70.63 Amity University, Noida, ranks 37th in the Engineering category with a score of 58.53, making it among the higher-ranked private universities in this stream. This performance highlights the university's focus on industry-oriented engineering education, modern infrastructure, and research-driven learning opportunities.  ### 2\. NIRF Management Rankings 2025 IIM Ahmedabad retains the top spot in Management with a score of 83.29, a position it has held since the category was introduced in 2018. The top 10 includes six IIMs, IIT Delhi's Department of Management Studies, IIM Mumbai, and MDI Gurugram. Rank  Institution  City, State  Score  1 IIM Ahmedabad Ahmedabad, Gujarat 83.29 2 IIM Bangalore Bengaluru, Karnataka 81.56 3 IIM Kozhikode Kozhikode, Kerala 79.85 4 IIT Delhi (DMS) New Delhi, Delhi 78.94 5 IIM Lucknow Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 77.97 6 IIM Mumbai Mumbai, Maharashtra 77.58 7 IIM Calcutta Kolkata, West Bengal 77.34 8 IIM Indore Indore, Madhya Pradesh 75.68 9 Management Development Institute Gurugram, Haryana 71.96 10 XLRI – Xavier School of Management Jamshedpur, Jharkhand 70.63 Amity University, Noida, is ranked 49th in the Management category with a score of 54.15. Among private universities in this category, Amity’s MBA and PGDM programmes remain among the few that combine flexible online options. Students targeting management careers can explore [Amity Online's MBA programmes](https://amityonline.com/master-of-business-administration-online) as a strong starting point. ### 3\. NIRF Medical Rankings 2025 AIIMS New Delhi leads the Medical category for the seventh consecutive year with a score of 91.80. PGIMER Chandigarh holds the second position, followed by Christian Medical College, Vellore, at rank 3. Rank  Institution  City, State  Score  1 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi New Delhi, Delhi 91.80 2 Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh 82.58 3 Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, Tamil Nadu 76.48 4 Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) Puducherry 73.30 5 Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 70.09 6 Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 70.05 7 National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) Bengaluru, Karnataka 69.77 8 King George's Medical University Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 68.77 9 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 68.52 10 Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Manipal, Karnataka 68.05 These rankings can be considered as a valuable benchmark for students evaluating medical colleges based on academic excellence, research output, clinical exposure, faculty quality, and overall institutional reputation. ### 4\. NIRF Law Rankings 2025 National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, leads the Law category with a score of 82.97. NLU Delhi and NALSAR Hyderabad follow closely at ranks 2 and 3. A notable entry in this year's list is IIT Kharagpur, whose School of Law ranked 6th nationally. Rank  Institution  City, State  Sector  1 National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bengaluru, Karnataka 82.97 2 National Law University (NLU Delhi) New Delhi, Delhi 80.00 3 NALSAR University of Law Hyderabad, Telangana 79.50 4 The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) Kolkata, West Bengal 79.39 5 Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) Gandhinagar, Gujarat 76.23 6 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Kharagpur, West Bengal 74.09 7 Symbiosis Law School Pune, Maharashtra 74.07 8 Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi, Delhi 66.39 9 Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh 65.82 10 Siksha 'O' Anusandhan Bhubaneswar, Odisha 65.36 Amity University Haryana, Gurgaon, is ranked 39th in the Law category with a score of 53.22. This ranking reflects the university’s growing academic reputation, quality legal education, and commitment to strengthening research, faculty excellence, and student outcomes in the field of law.   * * * ## Top Private Universities in NIRF Rankings 2025 Private universities have gained considerable ground in the NIRF 2025 rankings, with MAHE Manipal, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and BITS Pilani now firmly positioned among the top 10 in the University category. The table below lists the leading private universities in India as per NIRF University Rankings 2025. ### NIRF vs QS Rankings: Key Differences Students come across both NIRF and QS rankings while researching colleges. The two are built differently and serve different purposes, so knowing which one to use for what decision matters. Key Factors  NIRF Rankings  QS World Rankings  Scope India only Global Issued by Ministry of Education, India Quacquarelli Symonds, UK Focus Teaching, research, outcomes, and inclusivity Academic reputation, citations, and employer surveys Data source Self-reported by institutions, verified Surveys and bibliometric databases Best for Domestic admissions, India-specific comparisons International comparisons, global research standing Frequency Annual, typically August to September Annual, typically June For students planning to study in India, the NIRF ranking of universities in India is a more directly useful reference because it measures outcomes within the Indian higher education system. QS is more relevant when the goal is to compare institutions across countries or evaluate global research standing.   * * * ## How to Use NIRF Rankings for Admissions A **university NIRF ranking** is a starting point, not a final answer. A university ranked 45th nationally might rank 18th in Pharmacy. A rank-10 institution might not suit your budget or location. Here is how to use NIRF data practically when shortlisting colleges: - Check category rankings before looking at the overall. The NIRF ranking list has separate streams for Engineering, Management, Law, Medical, and others. The stream-specific rank matters far more than the overall position when you are choosing a programme. - Compare parameter scores, not just the final number. Two universities at ranks 25 and 28 can have very different teaching scores or research output. If strong faculty matters to you, look at the TLR score directly. - Look at rank trends across three to four years. A university NIRF ranking that has moved up consistently is a more reliable signal than a one-year jump or a static position. - Use NIRF alongside other information. Placement records, fee structure, campus facilities, and location are factors NIRF does not measure but matter significantly for most students.   **Also Read:** [Best Criteria for Selecting the Right College for Higher Studies](https://amityonline.com/blog/best-criteria-for-selecting-the-right-college)   * * * ## Limitations of NIRF Rankings NIRF is the most structured tool available for comparing Indian institutions, but it has real limitations worth knowing.  - **Not all institutions participate**: Participation in NIRF is voluntary, so some colleges and universities do not feature in the rankings, despite offering quality education. - **Reliance on self-reported data:** Much of the data used for evaluation is self-reported by institutions. NIRF tries to cross-check information from public records and other sources. However, there may be occasional inaccuracies/inconsistencies. - **Research and Professional Practice** (RP): It places a high weight on research output, with a total score of 30%. This may be more advantageous for research-intensive institutions, particularly established government-funded universities, over teaching-focused or newer colleges. - **Advantage for established institutions:** Older institutions often have better research infrastructure, larger faculty teams, stronger industry networks, and higher publication output, which can positively impact their rankings. - **Absence of student experience representation:** Campus culture, student satisfaction, extracurricular opportunities, affordability, and the quality of campus life are not adequately reflected in NIRF scores. - **Rankings are not a perfect measure of quality:** a higher ranking does not always mean a college is the best fit for all students. Search for career goals, course curriculum, placements, location and budget.   There is still scope for further improvement. NIRF’s methodology is updated regularly to enhance transparency and accuracy. For example, in 2025, it introduced negative marking for retracted publications and tightened data-quality requirements to improve the reliability of rankings.   * * * ## Why NIRF Rankings Matter for Placements and Career Growth While NIRF rankings should not be the sole factor in choosing a college, the **top universities in India's NIRF ranking** provide valuable insights into an institution’s academic quality, industry reputation, and career outcomes. Since several NIRF parameters are directly linked to student success, rankings can help applicants assess the long-term value of a degree. - **Reflects Placement Performance:** NIRF's Graduation Outcomes (GO) parameter evaluates placements, higher studies, and graduation rates. Institutions that perform well in this category often have stronger placement records and better career opportunities for students. - **Indicates Employer Perception:** Highly ranked institutions typically enjoy stronger recognition among recruiters, which can improve students' visibility during campus placements and job applications. - **Highlights Academic Quality:** Rankings consider factors such as faculty qualifications, student-faculty ratio, and learning resources. These elements contribute to a stronger academic foundation and better career preparedness. - **Measures Research and Innovation Strength:** Institutions with robust research ecosystems often provide students with opportunities for projects, publications, internships, and industry collaborations that enhance employability. - **Provides Transparency for Decision-Making:** NIRF offers standardised data on placements, faculty, infrastructure, and outcomes, enabling students to compare institutions using objective metrics rather than marketing claims alone. - **Supports Long-Term Career Growth:** Colleges that consistently perform well in NIRF rankings generally have stronger alumni networks, industry partnerships, and academic credibility, all of which can positively influence career progression over time.   * * * * * * ## Conclusion NIRF is a ranking methodology used by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to rank higher educational institutions in the country every year. The NIRF ranking is pivotal for students and their parents in choosing the best institution for [higher education](https://amityonline.com/). To check the top 100 universities in India, students can visit the NIRF portal. This year, the Ministry of Education released the NIRF Ranking for several other categories of institutions, such as Open Universities, Skill Universities, and State Public Universities. Students can also check the NIRF ranking 2025 for medical colleges, engineering, management, and several other categories.   * * * ## Check Out Our Top Online Degree Programs UG Programs PG Programs [BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-business-administration-online) [MBA (Master of Business Administration)](https://amityonline.com/master-of-business-administration-online) [BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application)](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-computer-applications-online) [MCA (Master of Computer Application)](https://amityonline.com/master-of-computer-applications-online) [B.com (Bachelor of Commerce)](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-commerce-online) [MA (Master of Arts Public, Policy and Governance)](https://amityonline.com/ma-public-policy) [BA (Bachelor Of Arts)](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-arts-online) [M.com with Financial Management](https://amityonline.com/master-of-commerce-financial-management-online) [BAJMC Bachelor Of Arts (Journalism and Mass Communication)](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-arts-journalism-and-mass-communication-online) [MAJMC Master Of Arts (Journalism and Mass Communication)](https://amityonline.com/master-of-arts-journalism-and-mass-communication-online) [Bachelor of Arts In Hindi](https://amityonline.com/bachelor-of-arts-hindi-medium-online) [MBA in Hospital and Healthcare Management](https://amityonline.com/mba-hospital-healthcare-management) * * * ## ABOUT AUTHOR [Neetika Singh]() ### Senior Manager – Content & Website Experience [Neetika Singh](https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetika-singh-493a6621b/) is a digital experience and content strategist with over 13 years of experience in higher education. She writes about online learning, admissions, scholarships, student success, and learner experience, creating content that empowers students to make informed academic and career decisions.  * * * ## frequently asked questions * * * ### What Is NIRF Ranking? + India's official ranking system for higher education institutions is published annually by the Ministry of Education across 17 categories, including universities, engineering, and management. * * * ### What Is the NIRF Full Form? + NIRF stands for National Institutional Ranking Framework, the government's annual system to rank Indian colleges and universities using verified, data-driven parameters. * * * ### How Is NIRF Ranking Calculated and What Is It Based On? + NIRF ranking is based on five parameters: Teaching (30%), Research (30%), Graduation Outcomes (20%), Inclusivity (10%), and Perception (10%), totalling 100 points. * * * ### Which Are the Top Universities in India as per NIRF Ranking? + IISc Bengaluru, JNU, and MAHE Manipal lead NIRF 2025 university rankings. IIT Madras tops the Overall category for the seventh consecutive year. * * * ### When Will the NIRF University Ranking 2026 Be Released? + NIRF university ranking 2026 is expected around August to September 2026, after institutions submit their data between November and December 2025. * * * ### Where Can I Find the Complete NIRF Ranking University List? + The full NIRF ranking university list for all categories is available at nirfindia.org, where you can also compare rankings from previous years. * * * ### What Is the No. 1 NIRF-Ranked University in India? + IISc Bengaluru ranks first in the University category. IIT Madras holds the Overall Rank 1 for the seventh consecutive year in NIRF 2025. * * * ### Which Private University Has the Highest NIRF Ranking? + MAHE Manipal ranks 3rd among universities in the NIRF 2025 rankings. BITS Pilani jumped to 7th. Amity University Noida improved from 32nd to 22nd in 2025. * * * ### Does NIRF Ranking Affect Placements and Career Opportunities? + Yes. Recruiters prioritise higher-ranked campuses for placement drives. NIRF also scores graduation outcomes directly, linking placement performance to university rank. * * * ### What Is Considered a Good NIRF Ranking? + A top 100 rank is generally strong. For professional programmes, a top 50 category rank in Engineering, Management, or Law carries more weight. * * * ### What Is the Difference Between NIRF University Rankings and College Rankings? + University rankings cover autonomous multidisciplinary institutions. College rankings cover affiliated standalone colleges, with slightly adjusted sub-parameter weightages for each type. * * * ### How Often Are NIRF Rankings Updated? + NIRF rankings are released once a year, typically between August and September. The most recent edition, NIRF 2025, was released on September 4, 2025. * * *