J&K’s NIRF Rankings
The release of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 has brought encouraging news for J&K. For the first time, as many as seven premier institutions from the UT have marked their presence in different categories, with the University of Kashmir leading the charge by making significant gains. In a landscape where the competition among higher educational institutions across India is intense and unforgiving, even maintaining last year’s ranking is an achievement in itself. Against this backdrop, the improvement and consistency shown by J&K’s institutions deserve special recognition. The University of Kashmir has been the standout performer this year. It has not only climbed from 69th to 59th place in the Overall Category but also secured 34th rank in the University Category, up by 11 positions from last year. Perhaps even more noteworthy is KU’s achievement of 8th place among State Public Universities, making it one of the top-10 institutions in this critical category. This performance reflects the university’s commitment to teaching, research, and outreach, and it instils fresh confidence among students and faculty alike. For a university situated in a region facing unique challenges of geography and socio-political environment, such improvement speaks volumes of resilience and academic ambition.
The University of Jammu, too, deserves commendation for retaining its 89th rank in the Overall Category. While it slipped marginally in the University Category from 50th to 51st place, its rise in the State Public Universities Category-from 23rd to 21st-indicates steady progress. Consistency in rankings amidst cut-throat competition is no small feat, particularly when the parameters for evaluation include not just teaching but also research output, inclusivity, and perception. The university now has the opportunity to build on this stability by focusing more on research and introducing new-age courses aligned with market demands. Another remarkable entry is that of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, which for the first time secured a place in the Overall Top 100, ranked at 94th. It also emerged 7th in Agriculture and Allied Sectors-a commendable achievement that showcases its growing national presence. On the other hand, SKUAST-Jammu, which could only secure 23rd rank in the Agriculture Category, needs to introspect. The gap in performance between the two agricultural universities highlights the necessity of an academic and administrative audit to address shortcomings.
Institutions established in the last decade-such as IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu-are proving their worth within a short span. IIT Jammu has climbed from 62nd to 56th in the Engineering Category, while NIT Srinagar improved from 79th to 73rd. IIM Jammu has shown a remarkable leap from 42nd to 35th in Management. These gains are significant because new IITs and IIMs often struggle to compete with older, well-established counterparts. Similarly, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University’s jump in the Architecture & Planning Category-from 31st to 23rd-reflects its efforts to enhance academic quality and visibility.
It is evident that J&K is steadily emerging as an education hub. Within just a decade, the region has witnessed the establishment of globally recognised institutions like IIT, IIM, and AIIMS, in addition to strengthening its existing universities. Improvement in NIRF rankings will draw more meritorious students, boosting competitiveness, and eventually uplifting the academic ecosystem of the region.
However, challenges remain. While many institutions have improved their rankings, others are stagnating or underperforming. Rankings are not merely about prestige; they are indicators of systemic strengths and weaknesses. Institutions consistently failing to perform must undergo thorough audits-covering teaching quality, research output, infrastructure, and outreach. Past laurels cannot guarantee future success in a fast-evolving education sector.
It is also important to recognise that rankings, while crucial, are not the sole measure of an institution’s worth. Topography, accessibility, and the overall academic preparedness of students in the region also influence performance. For J&K, where geographical constraints and socio-economic challenges persist, sustained government support and focused institutional strategies are essential to maintain this positive trajectory. The latest NIRF rankings are not just numbers-they are morale boosters, confidence builders, and signals of a brighter academic future.
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