The Ministry of Education has officially released the NIRF Ranking 2025, marking the 10th edition of this comprehensive assessment of India’s higher education institutions. The rankings—spanning 17 categories, including a newly introduced Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) segment—offer a clear snapshot of academic excellence across engineering, universities, colleges, and specialized fields.
Let’s unpack the details and highlights of the NIRF 2025 standings.
Quick Highlights – NIRF Ranking 2025
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Released On | September 4, 2025 |
| Top Overall Institution | IIT Madras (retains 7th consecutive top position) |
| University Leader | IISc Bengaluru |
| Top College | Hindu College, Delhi |
| New Category Added | Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) |
| Evaluation Parameters | Teaching, Research, Outcomes, Inclusivity, Perception + SDGs, NEP, IKS |
| Number of Categories | 17 |
| Participating Institutions | Over 14,000 institutions |
| Source | Ministry of Education / nirfindia.org |
Why NIRF 2025 Matters
This year’s NIRF rankings reaffirm the credibility and transparency of India’s institutional evaluations. With enhanced evaluation frameworks, including negative marking for retracted research and third-party data verification, NIRF ensures integrity and high standards. A major addition this year—the SDG category—aligns higher education with environmental and social responsibility.
Category-Wise Top Performers
Overall Rankings
IIT Madras – 7th straight year on top
IISc Bengaluru
IIT Bombay
IIT Delhi
IIT Kanpur
IIT Kharagpur
IIT Roorkee
AIIMS Delhi
JNU
BHU
University Rankings
IISc Bengaluru
JNU
MAHE, Manipal
Jamia Millia Islamia
University of Delhi
BHU
BITS Pilani
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Jadavpur University
AMU
Colleges
Hindu College
Miranda House
Hans Raj College
Kirori Mal College
St. Stephen’s College
RKM Vivekananda Centenary College
Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College
St. Xavier’s, Kolkata
PSGR Krishnammal College for Women
PSG College of Arts and Science
Engineering Institutes
IIT Madras
IIT Delhi
IIT Bombay
IIT Kanpur
IIT Kharagpur
IIT Roorkee
IIT Guwahati
IIT Hyderabad
NIT Trichy
IIT (BHU) Varanasi
Noteworthy Category Highlights
SDG Category: Top-ranked institutions include IIT Madras, followed by IARI (New Delhi) and Jamia Millia Islamia.
Agriculture & Allied Sector: Indian Agricultural Research Institute claims the top spot.
Open Universities: IGNOU leads this category.
Skill Universities: Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, Pune holds the top rank.
Medical & Dental: AIIMS Delhi remains number one in Medical and is crowned first in Dental this year.
FAQs – NIRF Ranking 2025
Q1. When were NIRF Rankings 2025 released?
A: On September 4, 2025, by the Ministry of Education via nirfindia.org.
Q2. Which institution topped overall?
A: IIT Madras for the 7th consecutive year.
Q3. Who leads in universities category?
A: IISc Bengaluru holds the top position.
Q4. Which college ranks first?
A: Hindu College, Delhi claims the top spot among colleges.
Q5. What is the new SDG category?
A: A new section evaluating institutions on sustainability and societal impact, introduced in 2025.
Q6. What weighting parameters does NIRF use?
A: Teaching & Learning, Research, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach & Inclusivity, Perception, plus new metrics like SDGs, NEP adoption, IKS inclusion.
Final Words: Navigating NIRF 2025
NIRF 2025 has solidified itself as the most trusted barometer of academic excellence in India. With sustained leaders like IIT Madras and IISc, and noteworthy new entries and categories, the framework offers greater clarity for students, educators, and policymakers alike.
This year’s enhancements—especially the SDG index and more stringent evaluation—reflect India’s forward-looking education policy and its alignment with global goals. Whether you’re a student mapping college choices or a strategist tracking institutional growth, these rankings are your reliable benchmark.
Read more articles like this — Click here to explore now
