National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF)

The Education Ministry launched the sixth edition of the NIRF in which IIT-Madras, IISc-Bangalore, and IIT-Bombay have emerged as the country's top three higher education institutions.

National Institute Ranking Framework or NIRF is the first-ever effort by the government to rank higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country.

It was launched in 2016 with voluntary participation, but the participation was made compulsory for all government-run educational institutions in 2018.

This year, roughly 6,000 institutions have participated in NIRF - about twice the number in 2016.

Institutions are assessed on five parameters: teaching, learning and resources, research and professional practices, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and perception.

The NIRF only ranks Indian HEIs - but the long-term plan is to make it an international league table.

Top 5 Institutes in NIRF 2021:

1) IIT Madras
2) IISc Bangalore
3) IIT Bombay
4) IIT Delhi
5) IIT Kanpur