NIRF 2025 rankings are out, and they again highlight the way Punjab universities and colleges are making their place in India's higher education landscape.
The latest list by the Ministry of Education indicates the country's pecking order of institutes. Not surprisingly, Tamil Nadu leads the way, pushing in the highest number of institutions to the Top 100. Next is Karnataka, followed by Maharashtra with 11, Delhi with 8, Uttar Pradesh with 9, Telangana with 5, while West Bengal, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Assam have a few in each. Punjab, being a smaller state, was still able to include six colleges in the Top 100. Chandigarh, which is the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, included two more names. For the region, it's a decent score.
1. Chandigarh University, Mohali – 32nd rank
2. Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala – 44th rank
3. Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara – 49th rank
4. IIT Ropar – 56th rank
5. IISER Mohali – 70th rank
6. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana – 81st rank
Chandigarh Institutions in the Top 100:
1. PGIMER, Chandigarh – 33rd rank
2. Panjab University, Chandigarh – 57th rank
From engineering giants like Thapar and IIT Ropar to research-driven centres like IISER and PAU, Punjab’s colleges have shown depth across different streams. Chandigarh too continues to shine, with PGIMER and Panjab Universities keep their reputation intact.
Academicians aver that this is not merely about prestige. Improved rankings translate to improved visibility, and this translates to greater students from all over India and even abroad. "The fact that several Punjab institutes make it to the Top 100 indicates consistent improvement in research, infrastructure and international exposure," explained a senior academician.
Nationally, however, it's crystal clear: Tamil Nadu dominates the list with 17 institutions, while Maharashtra, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh stand firm.
For students who are going into the admission phase, the NIRF list functions as a guidebook. Not only does it point towards where good academics exist, but also where good research opportunities are located.
