The tenth edition of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), released on September 4, 2025, marked a decade of continuous evolution. Launched by the Ministry of Education in 2015, NIRF has emerged as India’s premier system for assessing higher education institutions. It evaluates performance across five core parameters: Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR); Research and Professional Practice (RP); Graduation Outcomes (GO); Outreach and Inclusivity (OI); and Perception (PR). Built as a robust, data-driven framework aligned with global standards, NIRF has played a pivotal role in enhancing faculty quality, research output, innovation, student-centric practices, graduate success, and institutional inclusivity.
Over time, the NIRF framework has progressively adapted to reflect India’s evolving higher education landscape. In 2024, with the broader rollout of the National Education Policy (NEP) across states and an increasing focus on digital learning, cultural integration, and flexible academic structures, NIRF enhanced its Teaching and Learning Resources (TLR) parameter. New sub-parameters were introduced to assess institutions on the availability of online education, inclusion of Indian knowledge systems in curricula, provision for multiple entry and exit options, and accessibility of curricula in regional languages. Additionally, the incorporation of publication metrics aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the Research Productivity parameter highlights India’s dedication to global sustainability efforts.
NIRF 2025 introduced key methodological updates, including the addition of a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) category and the implementation of negative marking for retracted publications-reinforcing its commitment to academic integrity.
These refinements illustrate NIRF’s ongoing commitment to staying relevant and responsive, aligning its evaluation criteria with national policy priorities in a timely and strategic manner.
Over the past decade, NIRF has witnessed a substantial increase in institutional participation-from 2,426 institutions in its inaugural edition to 7,692 in 2025. This growth reflects the expanding influence of NIRF and its role in driving outcome-oriented reforms across Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). By introducing a structured, data-driven approach to institutional evaluation, it has fostered greater transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across the sector. Institutions have responded by enhancing performance in key areas such as teaching standards, research productivity, student outcomes, and inclusivity. NIRF’s expansion into diverse categories has democratised recognition, allowing regional and emerging institutions to gain visibility. Its emphasis on research and innovation has helped institutions attract funding and forge strategic partnerships. Furthermore, NIRF’s growing alignment with international benchmarks and its influence on policy and funding decisions have positioned it as a vital tool for driving competitiveness and equity in Indian higher education.
