The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), India’s premier ranking system for higher education institutions, has come under scrutiny for its opaque and often questionable methodologies and continues to remain controversial for a decade now.
One of the most contentious issues is NIRF’s emphasis on peer reputation, as pointed out by Achal Agrawal, an assistant professor at Sitare University. This holds a 10% weightage in the overall ranking. The parameter is determined through a survey, the details of which are not disclosed, leading to concerns around its transparency and reliability.
Amit Sheth, the founding director of the Artificial Intelligence Institute at the University of Southern Carolina (AIISC), expressed his disbelief in the comments, saying, “Had never heard of 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, …. and they get ranked above BITS-Pilani? What cr*p!”
His sentiments highlight a broader scepticism about the accuracy of these rankings, particularly when well-established institutions like BITS Pilani, IIT ISM Dhanbad, and IIT Mandi are ranked lower than relatively newer private universities.
What is the Issue?
Ravi Adgulwar, the co-founder and CEO at Avisa Myko, acknowledged that “at least NIRF has some objective criteria for arriving at the ranking”, but argues that the criteria should produce sensible results. Agrawal added, “We have no idea about the survey this criteria is based on.”
Another critical parameter, representing 12% of the NIRF rankings, is the University Exams. This too has come under fire for inconsistencies, as detailed in further examinations. Similarly, the Faculty Quality parameter has been criticised for discrepancies, calling into question the overall reliability of the rankings.
Jayanta Sinha, the head of operations at Elcomponics Aerob Technologies, noted that private universities often focus more on paperwork than actual education. “In the name of research, faculties are forced to submit papers in all conferences that are being organised by multiple departments of the same university over the year. The only agenda is to get an IEEE, Scopus or Web of Science stamp,” he pointed out.
This practice artificially inflates rankings without reflecting true academic quality.
Faculty Quality parameter continues to remain one of the most glaring issues with the NIRF rankings. Surprisingly, Saveetha Institute has received the highest points for Faculty Quality, surpassing premier institutions like IISc and IIT Kanpur. Even IIT Bombay, renowned for its academic excellence, is ranked 48th in this category.
The citation per faculty should be supplemented by the papers published by scholars and the average time taken to publish them. Right now, a paper developed over five years is treated on par with the one published within a year, masking the effort involved.
Alok Jain, former VP at IIM Ahmedabad, criticises the lack of standardisation among different ranking agencies and the reliance on ‘tricks’ by private universities. He stated, “Many Universities are buying research and patents! Publication business has become a paid channel! But who will monitor or question?!!”
‘NIRF Ranking is Weird’
One of the most significant oversights in the NIRF ranking system is the lack of consideration for students’ quality of life. While the Perception Factor accounts for the opinions of employees, academicians, and industry personnel, it neglects the critical perspective of the students themselves.
This is particularly concerning for institutions like IIT Madras, where 80% of students are residential.
Ripudaman Singh, an IIT Guwahati alumnus, humorously notes, “NIRF ranking is weird. World ranking seems better to me. VIT is above BITS, BHU, and IIT G. Everyone knows why.”
Despite the criticisms, some argue that the impact of NIRF rankings may be limited. Rajkumar Pundir, the founder of FAWDA, asserts, “No decision, admission or recruitment, is affected by these rankings. Every single student and employer knows which are the top 20-30 IITs/NITs/IIMs.”
However, this view is not universally accepted, as the rankings do influence perceptions and decisions to some extent.
Ultimately, the call for reform is clear. The NIRF rankings wield significant influence, and it is crucial to ensure their accuracy and fairness. As one commentator aptly put it, “[This is] the reason I never trust rankings. In most cases, rankings depend on the paperwork institutions have submitted rather than the actual impact they are having on society.”
The flawed NIRF rankings have significant repercussions for students and the broader higher education system in India. Prospective students and their families often rely heavily on these rankings when making decisions about which colleges to attend.
When the parameters used to rank institutions are fundamentally flawed and susceptible to manipulation, it misleads students and undermines their educational choices.
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