NIRF Rankings: Pune University drops from rank 16 to 91 in seven years

The most staggering drop has been in TLR. In 2018, SPPU achieved a score of 70.70, which has dropped to 51.46 in 2025.

A fall from the stars

In a statement, the University blamed the fall in rankings on a decrease in faculty numbers due to retirement and increase in student numbers due to the Modi Government’s New Education Policy.

It said, “The university attributes the fall in its ranking primarily to a decrease in the number of faculty members. Over the past one to two years, a large number of senior faculty members have retired. This has significantly impacted the Faculty-Student Ratio (FSR), a key parameter in the NIRF ranking. Additionally, the launch of new degree programs under the National Education Policy has increased student enrollment, further straining the FSR. The retirement of experienced faculty, who were often prolific researchers, has also affected the university’s research output, another crucial ranking metric.”

In July, SPPU hired 86 assistant professors on a contractual basis, with another advertisement for 52 more such posts recently being put out. However, no permanent hiring has taken place.

An SPPU professor and HOD, who heads a department that has less than 25% permanent positions filled, told The Indian Express, “As a faculty from a state university, one is always sad about the fact that there is no recruitment since the last 10 years. Also, there is no funding for research given by the university whatsoever. Not a single rupee has been spent by the university for departmental research. A few crores are allotted in the budget, but these numbers are immaterial as they are not actually spent. There are no schemes announced through which researchers can access this money.”

“Whatever funding we get is from national bodies like ICSSR or UGC. But they are also reducing funds or just giving target funding. For example they might say that this year the research area is NEP, so funds are only given for that kind of research. This essentially kills your ability to do research on whatever you actually want to work on,” the professor said.

The professor also mentioned that this kind of variation in the ranking in a single year could also mean that the NIRF parameters need some stabilisation.

To make amends, SPPU’s statement said, “Despite these challenges, SPPU is taking proactive steps to enhance its standing. The faculty recruitment process is currently underway and, upon its completion, the university expects to see a significant improvement in its FSR and research output. Furthermore, SPPU is committed to increasing its focus on research outcomes and improving public perception. The university’s leadership is confident that these initiatives will contribute to a better ranking in the future.”

The NIRF rankings have not been without criticism. Earlier this year, the Madras High Court halted the release of the rankings after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) laid allegations that there was no transparency or accountability of the data submitted online by the institutions. However, this petition was later dismissed as the government argued that a scientific method prescribed by an expert body was being followed in coming up with the rankings.

Other than SPPU, other Pune institutes that have ranked in the top 100 are Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (40), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune (55) and Dr D Y Patil Vidyapeeth (71).

Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, pro chancellor of Pune’s top ranked Symbiosis International (Deemed University) — hich achieved a rank 40 ‘Overall’ and rank 24 in ‘Universities’ — said, “The NIRF 2025 Rankings are a proud moment for Symbiosis International University, with the University securing the 24th rank in the ‘Universities’ ranking, and 10th amongst Private Universities, Symbiosis Law School, Pune at 7th in Law, and Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune at 11th in Management and Engineering amongst top 50. These milestones reflect our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global engagement. At Symbiosis, we remain dedicated to nurturing leaders who will make a meaningful impact on society.”