National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

Ministry of Human Resource Development had launched National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) on 29^th September 2015.

• Under this system, institutions of higher education would be annually ranked based on objective and verifiable criteria.
• The first ever ‘India Rankings 2016’ have been announced on 4^th April 2016.
• In the very first year of its operation, more than 3,500 institutions have participated in the ranking exercise. 

The ranking framework evaluates each institution on 5 broad parameters, namely:

1. ·         Teaching/learning resources,
2. ·         Research,
3. ·         Graduation outcomes,
4. ·         Outreach/Inclusive nature and
5. ·         Public perception.

The NIRF has been made available separately for Engineering, Management Pharmaceutical, Architecture, Humanities, Law and for universities as a whole.

• The NIRF would allow ranking based on credible and verified data while capturing the major performance parameters. 
• Participation in the NIRF would help the Indian educational institutions participate in the world rankings with greater confidence.
• The ranks were released in the four categories of institutions mainly, universities, engineering, management and pharmacy.
• The India Rankings 2016, released on 4^th April 2016, is one of the biggest efforts for bringing in accountability and transparency in the higher educational institutions.
• The effort has continued into the second edition with improvised metrics and the India Rankings-2017 would be declared on 3^rd April 2017.