NIRF India Rankings 2024: IGNOU Tops Open Universities, SSPU Pune Leads Skill Universities, Anna University Tops STFUs

The NIRF Rankings now include Open Universities Ranking, Skill University Ranking, and State Funded Government Universities (STFUs), bringing the total number of categories to 16, up from 13 in 2023.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has unveiled the NIRF India Rankings 2024, marking a significant expansion with the introduction of three new categories. The NIRF Rankings now include Open Universities Ranking, Skill University Ranking, and State Funded Government Universities (STFUs), bringing the total number of categories to 16, up from 13 in 2023. This year saw a notable increase in participation, with 10,885 institutions entering the rankings, compared to 8,600 in the previous year.

Expanded Focus in Education

The introduction of these new categories underscores a broader focus on diverse types of higher education institutions in India. The State Funded Government Universities (STFUs) category highlights the significant contributions of state-supported institutions in providing quality education across various regions. Leading the STFUs is Anna University in Chennai, followed closely by Jadavpur University and Savitribai Phule Pune University.

In the Open Universities Ranking, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) continues to set the standard for distance and open education, with Netaji Subhash Open University and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University rounding out the top three.

The Skill University Ranking reflects the growing emphasis on skill-based education, with Symbiosis Skills and Professional University emerging as the top institution, followed by Shri Vishwakarma Skill University and Bhartiya Skill Development University.

This year’s expanded rankings provide a more comprehensive view of India’s higher education landscape, highlighting excellence in specialized and skill-oriented education alongside traditional university metrics.

Top Institutions in the New Categories

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has secured the No. 1 rank in the newly introduced category of "Open Universities" in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024. For the first time, NIRF 2024 included a separate category for Open Universities, acknowledging the unique contributions these institutions make to the landscape of higher education. The Minister of Education praised the critical role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) like IGNOU in expanding access to education for marginalized communities, particularly women from rural and semi-urban areas, thus promoting gender parity.

In his address, Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar emphasized that the recognition of Open Universities will significantly enhance the quality of higher education, benefiting the entire sector. He underscored the importance of these institutions in providing accessible, flexible, and high-quality education to a diverse learner population.

Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU, expressed her gratitude for the honor, stating, "This recognition is a testament to the dedicated efforts of our faculty, staff, and employees across the country. IGNOU has been a pioneer in Open and Distance Learning, and we are now evolving into a leader in Open and Digital Learning. Our mission to replace 'Distance' with 'Digital' has enabled us to deliver knowledge to millions of learners across India and worldwide."