Interested to know how India’s best colleges performed in 2025? The new nirf ranking list 2025 is out and it’s full of some interesting tales—from IIT-Madras retaining its crown to newcomers spoiling the party. Let’s take a look!
When was NIRF 2025 published?
The Union Ministry of Education released the NIRF 2025 rankings on September 4, 2025, as per the announcement on the official portal.
Top overall institutions in NIRF 2025
IIT Madras: A seven-year run
IIT Madras topped the NIRF general ranking—for the seventh year in a row! Its leadership without faltering is testimony to its consistent excellence.
IISc Bengaluru and IIT Bombay: Stable leaders
Placing second is IISc Bengaluru (its tenth year at second place), followed by third place for IIT Bombay.
University standouts
Manipal Academy of Higher Education’s new entrant
It is the first time that MAHE (Manipal Academy of Higher Education) has secured the Top 3 in the university ranking, a significant feat for private schools
Chandigarh University’s ascent
Chandigarh University reached 19th position among top-ranked universities in the 2025 rankings, according to official NIRF figures
Category-wise winners
Medical: AIIMS Delhi takes number one spot
AIIMS Delhi retains its supremacy on the number one spot of the medical category, due to its research activity, academic reputation, and outreach—albeit inclusiveness still has areas of improvement
Management: MDI Gurgaon rises to 9th
MDI Gurgaon moved up two places to position 9 in management. This is due to enhanced teaching practices, facilities, new research facilities and close industry connections
Engineering: NITK Surathkal’s fall
NITK Surathkal fell from 46 to 54 in overall rankings, although it remained at 17th rank in engineering. The fall ends a four-year spell in the top-50 overall
Colleges: Hindu and Miranda House excel
Hindu College and Miranda House remained the highest two colleges respectively in college rankings. Moreover, Delhi University became 5th among universities
Region-wise information
Tamil Nadu tops with 33 colleges
Tamil Nadu led the college rankings with a record 33 colleges in the top 100, followed by Delhi with 32 — reflecting their clout in higher education
Raipur institutions’ impressive rankings
Some Raipur-based institutes fared well:
IIM Raipur ranked 15th in management.
AIIMS Raipur placed 31st in medical.
NIT Raipur was at 35th in architecture and planning.
IGKV Raipur ranked 28th.
These rankings highlight Raipur’s increased academic influence
No north-west region institute in overall top-10
Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh did not find a spot in the overall top 10, although there was strength in specialized areas such as agriculture, innovation, and pharmacy. Chandigarh University was placed at 32, Thapar Institute at 44, and LPU at 49 overall
New categories added in 2025
The new edition features fresh rankings corresponding to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), indicating a focus on socially responsible education parameters
Why NIRF is important for students and stakeholders
NIRF rankings are not just figures—they assist students in choosing institutes, inform policymakers, and encourage institutions towards improved teaching, research, inclusivity, and innovation. They highlight various strengths, be it overall, by type, or geography.
Conclusion
The nirf ranking list 2025 discloses the ongoing supremacy of top-notch public institutions such as IIT Madras, IISc Bengaluru, and AIIMS Delhi, and puts the spotlight on the rising players such as MAHE and Raipur’s institutions. Regional trends indicate the upsurge of Tamil Nadu colleges and diversified performance of north-west universities. All in all, NIRF 2025 reemphasizes excellence while driving India’s higher education system toward inclusiveness, sustainability, and innovation.
Read also: UKPSC Principal Result 2025
