Lok Sabha Question No. 93 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: NIRF Rankings for Higher Education
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 93 ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## NIRF Rankings for Higher Education

## 93.   SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the detailed description of the parameters considered under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings, including the weightage assigned to each parameter;

(b) whether  NIRF  relies  on  bibliometrics  from  commercial  databases,  and  if  so,  the details thereof;

(c) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  expand  the  NIRF  rankings  beyond traditional  research  contributions  and  incorporate  qualitative  factors  such  as  relevance  to industry, innovation, and social impact in the rankings process;

(d) whether the Government ensures credibility and reliability in self-reported data from participating institutions, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether  any  studies  or  reports  have  been  undertaken  to  explore  more  qualitative approach to rankings instead of a quantitative one and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a):  The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) outlines a methodology to rank unvirsities and institutions across the country. The methodology identifies broad parameters for  ranking  various  universities  and  institutions  which  cover  'Teaching,  Learning  and Resources,' 'Research and Professional Practices,' 'Graduation Outcomes,' 'Outreach and Inclusivity,'  and  'Perception'.  Details  of  weightage  assigned  to  each  parameter  are  at Annexure.

(b): NIRF relies on bibliometrics from commercial databases. Data on publications, citations, and highly cited publications are provided by Scopus (Elsevier Science) and Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics), whereas Derwent Innovation provides data on patents.

(c)  to (e): The existing framework of Rankings not only considers the quantitative factors but also focuses on qualitative factors like outreach and  inclusivity, multiple entry-exit, publications  on  SDG  etc.  Moreover,  in  India  Rankings  2024,  NIRF  has  introduced  a  new category of innovation ranking focusing on innovation, establishing start-ups and entrepreneurship.

The responsibility of data authenticity and appropriate entry lies with the participating institutions.  However,  NIRF  uses  triangulation  method  to  detect  and  correct  data  issues  in consultation  with  the  concerned  institutions.  Stakeholders  (that  include  the  public  or  other individuals or entities having an interest in one or more institutions) are invited to give their feedback through the 'Online Feedback System' on the data submitted by the institutions, through a public advertisement in the newspapers and other media.

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## Annexure as referred to in reply to Part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 93 to be answered on 25.11.2024 asked by Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli

The parameter-wise details for ranking various Universities and Institutions in respect of the 'Overall Category' are as below:

## 1. Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR) 100 Marks (Ranking weight: 0.30)

- i. Student Strength including Doctoral Students (SS): 20 marks
- ii. Faculty-student ratio with emphasis on permanent faculty (FSR): 25 marks
- iii. Combined  metric  for  Faculty  with  PhD  (or  equivalent)  and  Experience (FQE): 20 marks
- iv. Financial Resources and their Utilisation (FRU): 20 marks
- v. Online Education: Online Completion of Syllabus & Exams and Swayam (OE): 10 marks
- vi. Combined metric for  Multiple  Entry/Exit,  Indian  Knowledge  System  and Regional languages (MIR): 5 marks

## 2. Research and Professional Practices (RP) 100 Marks (Ranking weight: 0.30)

- i. Combined metric for Publications (PU): 30 marks
- ii. Combined metric for Quality of Publications (QP): 30 marks
- iii. IPR and Patents: Published and Granted (IPR): 15 marks
- iv. Footprint of Projects and Professional Practice (FPPP): 15 marks
- v. Combined metric for Publications & Citations in SDGs (PSDGs): 10

## 3. Graduation Outcomes (GO)100 Marks (Ranking weight: 0.20)

- i. Metric for University Examination (GUE): 60 marks
- ii. Metric for Number of Ph.D. Students Graduated (GPHD): 40 marks

## 4. Outreach and Inclusivity (OI)100 Marks (Ranking weight: 0.10)

- i. Percentage of Students from Other States/Countries (Region Diversity RD): 30 marks
- ii. Percentage of Women (Women Diversity WD): 30 marks
- iii. Economically and Socially Challenged Students (ESCS): 20 marks
- iv. Facilities for Physically Challenged Students (PCS): 20 marks

## 5. Perception (PR)100 Marks*(Ranking weight: 0.10)

- i. Peer Perception:  Academic Peers and Employers (PR): 100 marks

*However, for universities in the PR parameter, 70% weight was given to Peer Perception and 30% to Accreditation.

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