NIRF rankings 2025: 3 Delhi varsities make top 5; JNU retains 2nd spot; Jamia 4th, DU follows

In its ninth edition last year, NIRF had introduced three categories — open universities, skill universities, and state-funded government universities. This year, the framework added a new “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” category and brought in major methodological changes. A negative marking system was introduced across select categories based on the number of retracted publications, while the elimination of self-citations at the institutional level, first applied in 2024, was continued this year.

The rankings in the 10th edition cover 16 categories: overall, engineering, management, pharmacy, architecture and planning, colleges, medical, law, research institutions, dental, agriculture and allied sectors, innovation, open universities, skill universities, and SDGs.

The ranking framework evaluates institutions on five broad parameters — Teaching Learning and Resources (TLR ); Research and Professional Practice (RP); Graduation Outcome (GO); Outreach and Inclusivity (OI); and Perception (PR).

Compared to 2024, Delhi University’s scores showed a mixed trajectory. In the TLR category, DU rose from a score of 56.75 last year to 60.65 this year, while in the RP category, it rose from 56.42 to 58.51. GO dipped slightly from 98.54 to 96.94, while OI rose from 67.57 to 70.15 even as PR declined from 54.75 to 52.38.

Celebrating the achievement, Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh said: “DU’s best-ever performance in NIRF is a landmark moment in the University’s history and a source of immense pride. It reflects the dedication and collective effort of our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and stakeholders, and will inspire us to reach even greater heights in teaching, research, and service to society.”

Jamia Millia Islamia recorded an increase in the TLR category from a score of 71.29 in 2024 to 73.81 in 2025 and 50.85 in perception category in 2024 to a slight change of 50.63 this year.

In its statement, Jamia Millia Islamia, also highlighted its showing in the new SDGs category. “It is a matter of great honour for us that JMI has retained its position among the top five institutions of the country and has been ranked 13th in the overall category in the NIRF Ranking 2025. We have done exceedingly well among the SDG institutions,” said Vice Chancellor Prof Mazhar Asif.

Registrar JMI, Prof Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, who along with the VC JMI, Prof. Asif, attended the special event for the release of the NIRF at the Bharat Mandapam in the national Capital extended his congratulations to the entire JMI fraternity, the teachers, staff, students, including the Internal Quality Assurance (IQAC) Cell, on this accomplishment. Prof. Rizvi said, “NIRF Ranking 2025 reflects that JMI continues on its trajectory of progress and growth in all teaching and learning parameters and in the area of research. To be ranked third among SDG institutions is a milestone that inspires us to work together in meaningful ways to contribute to the society, and to protect our environment and create a greener and sustainable campus”’

Meanwhile, JNU recorded a slight dip in Perception category from 70.39 to 67.89, showing a small dip after last year’s jump from 65.51 in 2023. On social media platform X, the varsity stated: “It is great pride for the JNU community that JNU has been adjudged the best multidisciplinary university where excellence with equity, entrepreneurship and innovation with integrity and inclusion. JNU V-C congratulates faculty, students and staff.”