Globally Enhanced Competitiveness of Institutions via NIRF

In the realm of Indian higher education, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) has been a significant player since its launch by the Ministry of Education in 2015. Over the past decade, the NIRF has expanded its coverage to various disciplines, including engineering, medicine, management, pharmacy, dental, architecture, law, agriculture, research institutions, open universities, and skills universities.

The NIRF ranks institutions based on five parameters: Teaching, Learning & Resources, Research and Professional Practice, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach and Inclusivity, and Perception. However, as Mia Müller, a national leader in Education & Skill Development at KPMG in India, suggests, the NIRF could benefit from refining its methodology. Placing greater weight on research quality, employability, and global collaborations could make the rankings more reflective of the institutions' true standing.

Patent filings by universities have tripled from about 7,400 in FY22 to over 23,000 in FY24, indicating a growing emphasis on research and innovation. This trend is further underscored by India's rise as the fourth-largest contributor to global research publications, with its share increasing from 3.5% in 2017 to 5.2% in 2024.

However, resource disparities persist in Indian HEIs, with well-funded IITs and central universities often dominating the rankings. State universities, colleges, and rural institutions often face constraints in faculty strength, infrastructure, and reporting capacity. To address this imbalance, Müller advocates for credibility, comprehensiveness, and consistency as essential parameters for the NIRF in the next decade.

Participation in the NIRF has surged from 2,426 institutions in 2016 to 7,692 in 2025, reflecting a growing commitment to quality education across the board. The top-25 NIRF ranked institutions have nearly doubled the average ticket size of their consultancy engagements, suggesting a growing commercialisation of higher education.

In the NIRF rankings 2025, IIT Madras secured the top spot in the overall category. DU Colleges and AIIMS dominated the rankings, underscoring the importance of these institutions in India's higher education landscape.

Looking ahead, Müller suggests that integrating long-term measures of student success, industry partnerships, and internationalisation will make rankings more forward-looking. As the NIRF prepares for its next edition, these recommendations could help shape a more equitable and dynamic higher education system in India.

In a study of NIRF 2025 and how Indian HEIs have performed over the years, these trends and recommendations will undoubtedly provide valuable insights. With the increasing participation of institutions and the growing emphasis on quality education, the future of Indian higher education looks promising.