NIRF Ranking 2025

Introduction, the NIRF 2025 release means

Every September, tens of millions of students, academics, employers, and policy makers across India tune in for the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) release. NIRF, run by the Ministry of Education, provides an annual, parameter-driven ranking of Indian higher-education institutions across categories such as Overall, Engineering, Management, Medical, Research, and many more. The 2025 India Rankings continue this decade-long effort to apply transparent metrics to evaluate institutional performance and help students and stakeholders make informed decisions. The official India Rankings 2025 results and category pages were published on the NIRF portal when the 2025 lists went live.  This article unpacks the NIRF Ranking 2025 with a focus on engineering colleges (the category most students check first), highlights what changed this year, explains the methodology in plain language, profiles marquee institutions (especially IIT Madras and IIT Delhi), shows how to access the full NIRF 2025 PDF, and offers practical guidance on how students and colleges should interpret the list.

Quick headline takeaways (short summary)

• IIT Madras retained/secured the top spot in the 2025 India Rankings, performing strongly in Overall and Engineering categories. 

• IIT Delhi remains a top-tier contender and is one of the highest-ranked engineering institutions nationally (conventionally placed within the top few positions in Engineering).

• The NIRF 2025 results include full category pages (Overall, Engineering, Research, etc.) and downloadable publications/announcements; the NIRF website hosts the official PDF/press materials. 

(Each of those statements is supported by the official NIRF pages and contemporary reporting.) 

What NIRF measures — simplified

NIRF ranks institutions using five broad parameter groups (each with sub-parameters). They are designed to balance teaching capability, research output, graduate outcomes, inclusivity and public perception. In plain terms:

1. Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR) — faculty strength, faculty quality, infrastructure, labs and teaching resources.

2. Research & Professional Practice (RPC) — publications, patents, research income, consultancy.

3. Graduation Outcomes (GO) — placement records, higher studies, time-to-degree completion.

4. Outreach & Inclusivity (OI) — regional diversity, gender balance, outreach programs, representation of disadvantaged groups.

5. Perception — how peers, employers and the academic community view the institute.

Each category has a weight assigned (varies slightly across categories) and NIRF produces a composite score that orders institutions. Knowing which parameter matters most for your goals helps interpret the list: for high research aspirations, RPC weight matters a lot; for strong immediate placements, GO is critical.

NIRF 2025 — what’s new or notable this year

NIRF evolves. The 2025 edition continued to refine definitions and add/sub-categorize lists (including an increased emphasis on sustainability / SDG-related measurements in some sections and separate lists for specialized institutions). The government and the NIRF team also publish supporting documents and sometimes a consolidated PDF that explains methodological updates and provides the complete rank lists and scorecards — useful for researchers and institutional strategists. The NIRF portal hosts those official PDFs and the category-wise interactive pages for 2025.

List of Top 100 — NIRF India Rankings 2025 (Overall)

Below is the full Top 100 list from the NIRF India Rankings 2025 — Overall category (rank → institution). Source: NIRF (India Rankings 2025: Overall)

Rank	Institution
1	Indian Institute of Technology Madras
2	Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
3	Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
4	Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
5	Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
6	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
7	Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
8	All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi
9	Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
10	Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
11	Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
12	Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
13	Jamia Millia Islamia
14	Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal
15	University of Delhi
16	Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani
17	Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
18	Jadavpur University
19	Aligarh Muslim University
20	Homi Bhabha National Institute
21	Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
22	S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology
23	Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
24	Indian Agricultural Research Institute
25	Siksha O Anusandhan
26	University of Hyderabad
27	Indian Institute of Technology Indore
27	Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar (tied at 27)
29	Anna University
30	National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli
31	Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi
32	Chandigarh University
33	Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
34	National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
35	Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad
36	Indian Institute of Technology Patna
37	Amity University (Gautam Buddha Nagar)
38	JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research
39	Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar
40	Symbiosis International (Deemed University)
41	Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
42	Kerala University (University of Kerala)
43	Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Puducherry
44	Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (Deemed-to-be University)
45	National Institute of Technology, Calicut
46	Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (K L University)
47	Calcutta University
48	Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education
49	Lovely Professional University (LPU)
50	Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)
51	Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA)
52	Gauhati University
53	Osmania University
54	National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal
55	Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Pune
56	Indian Institute of Technology Ropar
57	Panjab University
58	Indian Institute of Technology Mandi
59	University of Kashmir
60	National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru
61	Bharathidasan University
62	Delhi Technological University (DTU)
63	National Institute of Technology, Warangal
64	UPES, Dehradun
64	Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai (tied at 64)
66	Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur
67	Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Kolkata
68	University of Madras
69	Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
70	Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Mohali
71	Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune
72	Graphic Era University
73	Alagappa University
74	Jamia Hamdard
75	Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Bhopal
76	Bharathiar University
77	Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur
78	All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh
79	Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
80	Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar
81	Punjab Agricultural University
82	Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering (SSN)
83	King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow
84	Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research (DMIMS), Wardha
85	Shiv Nadar University
86	Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur
87	University of Jammu
88	Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
89	International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad
90	Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research (BIHER)
91	Savitribai Phule Pune University
92	University of Mumbai
93	Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology
94	Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K)
95	SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai
96	Christ University, Bengaluru
97	National Institute of Technology, Silchar
98	Manipal University Jaipur
99	Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMUT), Gorakhpur
100	All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar

NIRF 2025 — Engineering category: trends & the top tier

The Engineering category is among the most-watched because it is highly relevant for undergraduate aspirants aiming for B.Tech/B.E.

Key observations from the NIRF 2025 engineering ranking:

• The top positions continue to be dominated by IITs — reflecting sustained strengths in faculty, research, placement networks and national reputation. IIT Madras sits at the summit in 2025, reaffirming its leadership. 

• IIT Delhi remains firmly within the top ranks (historically and in 2025), known for strong research output, industry engagement and excellent placement statistics. 

• Beyond the IITs, several NITs, IIITs and a handful of private engineering colleges feature in the top 50–100 — this underlines that investment in research and targeted, outcome-focused programs can move institutions up the list. 

If you’re specifically searching for “nirf ranking 2025 engineering colleges” or “nirf ranking 2025 list”, the official NIRF engineering page lists the ranked institutions along with their composite scores and sub-parameter values. The interactive engineering ranking page is the authoritative source to consult for exact ranks and scorecards. 

Short profiles: IIT Madras and IIT Delhi — why they matter in 2025

IIT Madras (short profile)

• 2025 positioning: Top-ranked in Overall and a consistent leader in Engineering and allied categories. IIT Madras’s strengths include a strong research portfolio, high TLR and GO scores, robust industry partnerships and growing international collaborations. These elements together keep its composite score at the top of the charts. 

• What students see: excellent faculty-student ratios, vibrant research labs, strong placement numbers and entrepreneurship support (technology incubation and startups).

• Why it stays on top: Continued investment in research infrastructure, high-impact publications, patents, and an ecosystem that links education to employability and innovation.

IIT Delhi (short profile)

• 2025 positioning: Among the highest-ranked engineering institutes, traditionally in the very top cluster (usually ranks 2–4 depending on year), and widely recognized for strong academic programs, research output and placement outcomes. 

• What students see: diverse research opportunities, leading faculty in core and interdisciplinary areas, close ties with industry in Delhi NCR and competitive placement offers across sectors.

• Why it remains a top pick: Strategic location, active alumni network, and consistent performance on NIRF parameters (especially RPC and GO).

(For precise numeric ranks and scores for any specific institution — including IIT Madras and IIT Delhi — refer to the NIRF category pages and the official downloadable PDFs where each institute’s composite score and parameter-wise breakdown appear.) 

How to read the NIRF 2025 engineering list (practical tips)

1. Composite rank vs. parameter strengths: Don’t treat rank alone as the only metric. If your priority is research degrees or a PhD, look at the RPC sub-score; for campus placements and immediate ROI, study the GO number. The NIRF pages show parameter-wise scores for each institute. 

2. Use the PDF for offline comparison: NIRF’s downloadable PDF (published alongside the online lists) contains detailed tables useful for spreadsheets and deeper comparisons. Look for the “published” PDF section on the NIRF site. 

3. Pay attention to rank bands and ties: NIRF sometimes publishes rank bands (e.g., 151–200) for certain ranges. If you see a rank band, treat it as a signal of comparable performance rather than a strict numeric ordering. 

4. Consider program-level variations: Some institutions perform better in specific branches or specialized programs. If you’re targeting Computer Science or Electrical Engineering, cross-check departmental reputation and placement snapshots beyond the institution-level NIRF score.

5. Check recent trends: Year-on-year movement matters. A college climbing the table often signals active improvements (new faculty hires, research funding, placement tie-ups), whereas a sudden drop needs deeper investigation.

Where to download the NIRF 2025 PDF (official source)

The NIRF portal hosts category pages and supporting PDFs. If you want to download the official NIRF 2025 PDF (methodology, full list, and scorecards), visit the NIRF website’s rankings section and look for the 2025 publication/“published” PDF. The site also provides interactive category pages where you can view parameter-level scores online. 

(If you need the direct PDF file for citation or spreadsheet use, the NIRF portal’s published documents area is the authoritative place to download it.) 

City & state trends: where the strong clusters are

• Tamil Nadu and Karnataka continue to host a large number of high-performing engineering colleges including some of the leading IITs and private institutions.

• Delhi-NCR remains strong because of IIT Delhi, IIITs, and other high-performing technical institutes.

• Eastern and central India have pockets of excellence — top NITs and centrally funded institutions increasingly show up in the top 50 and top 100 lists.
  These geographic clusters matter for students who prefer proximity to home, internships, industry connections or regional job markets. The NIRF engineering page lists institutions with their location details, allowing state- or city-level filtering.

Common criticisms and cautions about using NIRF as the sole decision tool

NIRF is transparent and useful, but not a one-size-fits-all answer. Common critiques include:

• Methodology weightings may favor larger research institutions over teaching-centric colleges, so smaller excellent teaching colleges might rank lower despite strong undergraduate education.

• Data self-reporting: Much of the data is provided by the institutions themselves and then audited; variations in reporting can affect scores.

• Perception score volatility: Perception can be slow to change and sometimes lags real improvement — an institute that has rapidly improved facilities might still carry a low perception score for a few years.

• Not program-specific: NIRF rank is at institutional level (except where department-level data is available); program quality can vary within a college.

Use NIRF as a major input — but complement it with campus visits, alumni feedback, placement records, faculty profiles, and course curriculum.

What the NIRF 2025 results mean for applicants

• Applicants from 12th grade (engineering aspirants): use the engineering ranking to shortlist institutions for JEE advanced/counselling strategies, but cross-check departmental placement data and course specializations.

• Graduate & research aspirants: look closer at RPC scores and research funding; institutions that rank high overall might also have strong research groups in specific labs.

• Parents & counsellors: treat NIRF as a benchmarking tool to compare institutions on objective metrics — it helps separate perception from performance.

• Colleges & administrators: use the parameter breakdown to identify strategic weaknesses (e.g., improve outreach and inclusivity programs, hire research-active faculty, increase industry collaborations).

How colleges improve their NIRF scores — actionable levers

For institutional leaders aiming to move up the NIRF list, the usual levers are:

1. Invest in research capacity: hire active researchers, secure sponsored projects and patents, and incentivize publications.

2. Strengthen TLR: improve faculty-student ratios, upgrade labs, modernize pedagogy and introduce continuous assessment systems.

3. Enhance graduation outcomes: strengthen placement services, internships, industry tie-ups, and career guidance.

4. Improve inclusivity and outreach: scholarships, outreach camps, gender balance initiatives and representation from disadvantaged groups.

5. Build perception: alumni engagement, marketing, international collaborations and visible achievements (awards, placements) raise perceptions over time.

These actions usually take time; NIRF movement tends to be gradual unless a large and fast investment is made.