The latest NIRF Rankins 2023 have just been revealed, showcasing the top universities in India. These rankings take into account factors like student enrollment, placements, research facilities, financial resources, and NAAC certification. Securing the top spot is the Indian Institute of Science, with Jawaharlal Nehru University following closely at second place.
Jamia Milia Islamia and Jadavpur University maintain their third and fourth positions from the previous year. The top universities in India represent a diverse mix of public, private, state, deemed, and other institutions.
This inclusive list features exceptional government and private universities that create an optimal learning environment for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, attracting the brightest minds in the country.
What is NIRF?
The Ministry of Human Resource Development introduced the National Institutional Rankings Framework (NIRF) in September 2015 to assess and rank institutions in India. The rankings, first unveiled in 2016 by NIRF, evaluate institutions on criteria like Teaching, Learning, Research, Graduation Outcomes, and Perception.
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Top 10 Universities in India (as of November 2023)
In November 2023, the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore secured the top spot among top 10 universities in India, as per the latest NIRF rankings. Following closely behind are Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Jadavpur University.
Check the list of top 10 universities in India as of November 2023 in the table below:
| Top 10 Universities in India | ||
| Rank | Name of the University | State |
| 1. | Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore |
| 2. | Jawaharlal Nehru University | Delhi |
| 3. | Jamia Milia Islamia | New Delhi |
| 4. | Jadavpur University | West Bengal |
| 5. | Banaras Hindu University | Uttar Pradesh |
| 6. | Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal | Karnataka |
| 7. | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Tamil Nadu |
| 8. | Vellore Institute of Technology | Tamil Nadu |
| 9. | Aligarh Muslim University | Uttar Pradesh |
| 10. | University of Hyderabad | Telangana |
IISc, Bangalore
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore secured the top spot in the NIRF 2023 rankings of top universities in India. It provides a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including aerospace engineering, materials science, and product design.
For admission to B.Sc. (Research), candidates can apply through KVPY, JEE, or NEET-UG. On the other hand, GATE scores play a crucial role in determining admission to 56 postgraduate programs, covering areas like electrical engineering and computer science.
Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has achieved the second spot in the NIRF 2023 rankings of universities in India. Located in New Delhi, it is well-known for its bachelor’s degrees in foreign languages and integrated B.Sc. to M.Sc. programs through CUET-UG. If you’re looking to enroll in M.A., M.Sc., postgraduate diploma, advanced diploma, MCA, or M.Tech. programs, having a CUET-PG qualification is essential.
Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi
Jamia Milia Islamia, located in Delhi, is a central university established in 1920. It is recognized by the UGC and is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The university has earned an “A” Grade accreditation from NAAC and is ranked third in the University category, achieving a score of 67.73.
Jadavpur University, West Bengal
Established in 1955, Jadavpur University is widely recognized for its excellence in Technology, Science, and Arts. With campuses covering 58 acres in Jadavpur and 26 acres in Salt Lake, this semi-residential institution stands out.
It provides a diverse range of courses in Humanities, Science, Engineering, and Technology. Notably, Jadavpur University achieved the fourth position in the University category of the NIRF Ranking 2023.
Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh
Banaras Hindu University, a globally recognized institution, is celebrated for its research-oriented courses in Humanities and Science. With six advanced study centers, 10 Special Assistance Programme departments, and various specialized research centers, BHU proudly stands as the largest residential university in Asia. The main campus of this central university covers a vast area of 1,300 acres.
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
Formerly known as Manipal University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education is a recognized university located in Karnataka, with additional campuses in Mangalore and Bangalore. The offshore campus is dedicated to the field of Regenerative Medicine. The Mangalore campus is renowned for its medical, dental, and nursing programs, while the Bangalore campus emphasizes Regenerative Medicine.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Tamil Nadu
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a leading research institution in India with multiple campuses across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, is renowned for its excellence in various fields.
The university provides a wide array of courses through different schools and departments, such as Allied Health Sciences, Arts & Science, Ayurveda, Biotechnology, Business, Communication, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Medicine, Nanosciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Social Work.
Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu
Founded in 1984 as Vellore Engineering College, Vellore Institute of Technology achieved university status in 2001 through the UGC Act, 1956. Notably known for its self-financing approach, VIT proudly secures the eighth spot in the 2023 NIRF Rankings.
Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh
Established in 1920, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is a government-owned central university with accreditation from NAAC. Boasting a vast 1155-acre campus, AMU provides a diverse range of 193 courses, spanning diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
Currently, the university accommodates 26,151 students and employs 1197 faculty members. In the latest NIRF Ranking 2023, AMU stands proudly at the 9th position overall and the 11th position in the university category.
University of Hyderabad, Telangana
The University of Hyderabad (UoH) stands out as a premier postgraduate education hub in India. With a wide range of schools, it provides diverse undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
These include Integrated Studies, Computer and Informative Sciences, Arts & Communication, Humanities, Social Sciences, Economics, Life Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Medical Sciences, Management Studies, Engineering Sciences and Technology, as well as Social Studies.
Top 10 Universities in India FAQs
Q.1. What is NIRF?
Ans. The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is an initiative by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in India, introduced in 2015. It assesses and ranks educational institutions based on criteria such as Teaching, Learning, Research, Graduation Outcomes, and Perception.
Q.2. How are the NIRF rankings determined?
Ans. The rankings consider factors like student enrollment, placements, research facilities, financial resources, and NAAC certification. Institutions are evaluated on various parameters to provide a comprehensive assessment of their overall performance.
Q.3. When were the latest NIRF rankings released?
Ans. As of November 2023, the latest NIRF rankings have been revealed, showcasing the top universities in India.
Q.4. Who secured the top spot in the NIRF 2023 rankings?
Ans. The Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore secured the top spot among the top 10 universities in India, as per the latest NIRF rankings.
Q.5. What universities are featured in the top 10 rankings?
Ans. The top 10 universities in India as of November 2023 include Indian Institute of Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Milia Islamia, Jadavpur University, Banaras Hindu University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Vellore Institute of Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, and University of Hyderabad.
