The Hindu Editorial on 09/09/2025 discuss India Rankings 2025, based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), largely reaffirmed the dominance of older public institutions, but also highlighted several shortcomings in the ranking process. While participation has increased significantly since 2016 and the scope has broadened, the methodology still relies heavily on subjective factors like peer perception, which can unfairly benefit well-known institutions over lesser-known or state-run ones. The Outreach and Inclusivity (OI) parameter is particularly flawed, as it overlooks critical data on students from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as those with disabilities, despite claiming to include these aspects. Few top institutions score well on OI, pointing to ongoing issues with access and equity in higher education. Additionally, concerns remain about over-reliance on self-reported data, lack of research output in many management institutions, unfilled reserved faculty positions, and the absence of penalties for submitting false data. Unless these issues are addressed, the NIRF risks becoming a branding tool for institutions rather than a meaningful driver of quality and equity in India's higher education system.
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