India Rankings (IR) 2025 Overview
The India Rankings (IR) 2025, based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), highlighted the dominance of older public institutions renowned for academic excellence. Since 2016, participation has surged from 3,565 to 14,163 institutions, with categories expanding from 4 to 17.
Evaluation Parameters
- Teaching, Learning, and Resources: 30%
- Research and Professional Practice: 30%
- Graduation Outcomes: 20%
- Outreach and Inclusivity (OI): 10%
- Peer Perception: 10%
Criticisms and Concerns
- Peer Perception: Criticized by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for being subjective and based on reputation rather than actual merit.
- Outreach and Inclusivity (OI): The NIRF booklet focuses on regional and gender diversity but neglects economically and socially disadvantaged and disabled students, despite their significant weightage.
Recommendations for Improvement
- Expand the OI parameter to include adherence to communal reservation policies in faculty recruitment.
- Address inequalities such as faculty shortages in top institutions and lack of research publications in management schools.
- Ensure action against institutions submitting false data.
In summary, the NIRF rankings need refinement to avoid being merely a branding exercise for private institutions and should strive to enhance overall quality and equity in higher education.
