The NIRF parameters and weighted means employed for determining the rankings vary across categories. Teaching, learning and resources; research and professional practice; graduation outcomes; outreach and inclusivity and peer perception are some of the broad characteristics used to evaluate schools, universities and institutes.

In 2023, the NIRF India ranking was released on June 5; last year, it was released on August 12 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Dharmendra Pradhan, the education minister made the rankings public.

This year, the ministry also announced the addition of a new category: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In simple terms, the SDGs are 17 world goals aimed at building a more sustainable future and present. Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education is one of those objectives.

NIRF Ranking 2025: List of Categories

The categories that are part of the NIRF Ranking 2025 are as follows:

• Overall

• Universities

• Colleges

• Research and knowledge Provider

• Architecture and Planning

• Agriculture and allied fields

• Innovation

• Skill university

• Engineering

• Management

• Pharmacy

• Medical 

• Dental 

• Law

• Open University

• State Public University