70% agriculture universities score higher in NIRF, 30% rise in ranks: Analysis

RC Agrawal

The ministry of education launched the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) to create a standardised, transparent, and credible ranking system embracing multiple higher education domains. The Indian agricultural education and research landscape, strongly supported by institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), was incorporated as a distinct category, emphasising quality, research, inclusivity, and societal impact.

However, before NIRF’s agriculture category, ICAR had its own ranking system, begun in the 1990s and primarily focused on agriculture universities under its umbrella. While the ICAR rankings were pioneering in setting quality benchmarks for agricultural education, their methodology remained limited in scope – centered largely on research productivity, extension outreach, and education infrastructure. With the advent of NIRF, reflecting a broader, multi-dimensional assessment matrix, ICAR’s ranking initiative was discontinued around 2020, transitioning institutions toward the newer NIRF system. This transition allowed agricultural education assessments to gain national harmonisation, better visibility, and international comparability.

NEP 2020 and NIRF rankings

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 represents a transformative blueprint for the country’s education system. Its comprehensive reforms aim to overhaul curricula, pedagogy, assessment, equity, and institutional governance to create a future-ready education ecosystem.

In the context of agricultural education, NEP 2020 underscores the need for multidisciplinary learning, integration of traditional knowledge systems, hands-on experiential learning, and promoting research and innovation. It calls for flexible curricula, multiple entry and exit options, and increased emphasis on digital learning, all crucial components in preparing students to address complex agricultural challenges like climate change, sustainable farming, and food security.

Reflecting this paradigm shift, the NIRF rankings have adapted their framework to align with NEP 2020’s vision. Several new parameters and sub-criteria introduced in recent years capture NEP’s priorities, including:

• Incorporation of experiential and research-led learning metrics

• Assessment of digital infrastructure and online teaching initiatives

• Evaluation of curriculum integration with Indian knowledge systems and sustainability goals

• Recognition of inclusivity, diversity, and student well-being matching NEP’s equity focus

This alignment enhances the relevance of the rankings, incentivising agricultural universities to undertake reforms aligned with national educational objectives. As such, NEP 2020 not only influences how institutions are assessed but also acts as a catalyst prompting them to innovate and revamp their offerings holistically.

By embedding NEP 2020 priorities within the NIRF evaluation process, India’s agricultural higher education sector is being guided toward a more dynamic, inclusive, and future-focused trajectory, essential for achieving global competitiveness and societal impact.

Trends in NIRF agriculture rankings

Examining the top agricultural universities over the past three years reveals both consistency and dynamism in their performance. The following analysis synthesizes ranking data supported by graphical insights:

Institutions such as the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, and the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal have secured the top spots consistently from 2023 to 2025. IARI New Delhi maintains the pinnacle position, underscoring its pioneering research and educational leadership, with a healthy score improvement from 83.16 in 2023 to 89.23 in 2025. NDRI Karnal follows suit closely, showing incremental advancements in research and outreach, reflecting sustained commitment to excellence.

Others like Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi sustained third and fourth ranks, backed by score improvements of nearly 10 points in PAU’s case—highlighting growing emphasis on innovation and student outcomes.

Agriculture University Ranking: Gains and challenges

A remarkable narrative from this period is the rise of institutions like Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Bihar, which climbed from rank 33 in 2023 to 14 in 2025, improving their composite score by almost 15 points. This surge reflects impactful institutional investments in research infrastructure, international collaborations, and inclusive educational programmes.

Similarly, institutions like Kerala Agricultural University and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology displayed steady upward trajectories, showcasing the growing decentralization and democratization of agricultural education quality.

Conversely, some universities like the Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) noted a decline in rank and score, signaling the need for policy interventions, resource infusion, and a strategic realignment focused on contemporary agriculture needs.

Agriculture College: 3-year ranking trends

The NIRF data analysis categorizes agricultural universities into four performance trends over the three years:

• Strong Growth: 30% institutions improving substantively in both rank and score

• Stable: 40% have consistent ranks with incremental score growth

• Score Up, Rank Down: 25% institutions are improving scores yet facing minor rank drops due to competition

• Declining: 5% agriculture universities struggling in both parameters

NIRF agriculture performance (2023-25)

The bar chart below compares 2023 and 2025 scores of the top five agriculture universities and reflects their advancements, with IARI’s impressive increase of over six points standing out.

Top 5 agricultural universities: NIRF score changes

In the 2025 NIRF rankings for the ‘Agriculture and Allied Sectors’, 100 universities or colleges and institutions participated by submitting their data for evaluation. Of these, the NIRF officially ranked 42 universities based on their performance across teaching, research, graduation outcomes, inclusivity, and perception parameters. This reflects growing interest and competition among both public and private agricultural institutions nationwide.

Why ranks matter for agricultural education

These rankings help stakeholders — students, faculty, government bodies, and industry — identify centers of excellence and areas needing focus. The transparent, data-driven nature encourages institutions to enhance curriculum design, research innovation, knowledge dissemination, and inclusive education.

For policymakers, NIRF data informs funding prioritization and institutional reforms aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing agricultural sustainability, rural development, and food security.

Moving forward with NIRF

NIRF rankings in agriculture and allied sectors symbolise India’s commitment to elevating its agricultural education system for global competitiveness. The blend of consistency at the top with dynamic improvements across the board invigorates the sector.

Building on NIRF’s meticulous framework and lessons from ICAR’s prior efforts, agricultural universities and research institutes are better positioned to nurture innovation, empower farmers, and contribute to resilient food systems crucial for India’s socio-economic future.

RC Agarwal is the former deputy director general of agricultural education at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).