NIRF Rankings 2025 Released: IIT Madras Leads in Overall and Engineering Categories

New Delhi: The Ministry of Education has officially unveiled the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings on September 4. Continuing its dominant performance, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has secured the first position in both the 'Overall' and 'Engineering' categories. Meanwhile, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has once again been adjudged the best university in the country.

This year, the rankings have been released for a wide array of categories, providing a comprehensive assessment of institutions across different specializations. The domains covered include Overall, Universities, Colleges, Engineering, Management, Pharmacy, Medical, Law, Dental, Architecture & Planning, Research Institutions, Innovation, SDG Institutions, and Agriculture & Allied Sectors. Started in 2015, NIRF has become a credible and transparent system for assessing higher educational institutions based on key parameters like Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR), Research and Professional Practice (RP), and Graduation Outcomes (GO).

Top Institutions Across Key Categories

This year's rankings highlight the consistent excellence of India's premier institutions across various domains. Here's a look at the top performers in the major categories.

Overall Rankings

The overall category was once again dominated by the IITs. IIT Madras stood first, followed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru at second, and IIT Bombay at third. This underscores their comprehensive strength in teaching, research, and graduate outcomes.

Universities

In the university-specific rankings, IISc Bengaluru maintained its premier position. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, secured the second rank, with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, coming in third.

Engineering

The engineering domain continues to be a stronghold for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). IIT Madras has secured the top position, making it the best engineering institution in the country. It is followed by IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay in second and third place, respectively. The top 10 also features IIT Kanpur (4), IIT Kharagpur (5), IIT Roorkee (6), IIT Hyderabad (7), IIT Guwahati (8), National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (9), and IIT (BHU) Varanasi (10).

Colleges

Delhi University colleges continued to feature prominently at the top. Hindu College, Delhi, has been ranked as the best college in India. It is followed by Miranda House, Delhi, and Hans Raj College, Delhi, in the second and third positions, respectively.

Management

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) asserted their leadership in business education. IIM Ahmedabad has been ranked as the top management institute, followed closely by IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode.

Medical

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has reaffirmed its status as the top medical college in the country. The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, and Christian Medical College, Vellore, secured the second and third spots.

Pharmacy

In the field of pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, has clinched the top rank. Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, and Panjab University, Chandigarh, followed in the rankings.

Law

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has retained its position as the premier institution in the field of legal education in India. It is followed by the National Law University (NLU), Delhi, and NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, which have secured the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.

Architecture and Planning

IIT Roorkee has been recognized as the leading institution for architecture and planning. It is followed by the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut, and IIT Kharagpur.

Dental

AIIMS, Delhi, also topped the dental category, showcasing its multidisciplinary excellence. Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, and Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Delhi, were ranked second and third.

Agriculture and Allied Sectors

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, has been ranked as the number one institution in agriculture and allied sectors, highlighting its pivotal role in agricultural education and research in the nation.

SDG Institutions

A notable category in the rankings evaluates institutions based on their contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Indian Institute of Technology Madras has emerged as the leader in this category. It is followed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, at second and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, at third.