India Rankings 2024: Employability Skills and New Categories Mark a Milestone in Higher Education Evaluation

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In a significant move to redefine the landscape of higher education in India, the India Rankings 2024 was released, shedding light on the top academic institutions across the country. This year’s rankings, launched under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), have brought some noteworthy changes, emphasizing employability skills and expanding the scope to include new categories like State Public Universities, Open Universities, and Skill Universities. This comprehensive ranking system, designed by the Ministry of Education in 2015, has been pivotal in guiding students and parents in making informed choices about higher education institutions. 

The Evolution of India Rankings 

The India Rankings, first introduced in 2016, have evolved over the years to become a trusted metric for assessing the quality of higher education institutions (HEIs) in India. From its humble beginnings, where only three categories were ranked—Engineering, Management, and Pharmacy—the framework has grown to include a total of 16 categories and subject domains by 2024. These include Overall, Universities, Colleges, Research Institutions, State Public Universities, Open Universities, Skill Universities, and Innovation Institutions, as well as specific subject domains like Engineering, Medical, Law, and more. 

The evolution of these rankings reflects the changing priorities and growing complexity of India’s higher education system. With over 58,000 HEIs across the country, the need for a robust, transparent, and inclusive ranking system has never been more critical. 

Focus on Employability Skills 

One of the most significant shifts in the 2024 edition of the India Rankings is the emphasis on employability skills. Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, highlighted this during the launch event, stressing that employability and skills must become a priority in the ranking mechanism. He pointed out that it is not enough for institutions to excel in traditional academic metrics; they must also ensure that their graduates are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the modern workforce. 

This focus aligns with the broader objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the importance of skills and vocational training in the education system. By including employability as a key parameter in the rankings, the government aims to encourage institutions to prioritize skill development alongside academic excellence. 

A Transparent and Inclusive Ranking System 

The India Rankings 2024 continue to uphold the principles of transparency and inclusivity. Data for the rankings is sourced not only from the institutions themselves but also from third-party sources like Scopus, Web of Science, and Derwent Innovation. This ensures that the rankings are based on objective, verifiable data, making them a reliable tool for students, parents, and policymakers. 

The growing participation in the rankings exercise is a testament to their credibility. In 2024, a total of 6,517 unique institutions participated, submitting 10,845 applications across various categories and domains. This marks a significant increase from the inaugural rankings in 2016, where only 2,426 institutions participated. The rise in participation reflects the recognition of the rankings as a fair and transparent exercise that genuinely assesses the quality of education offered by institutions. 

New Categories: Expanding the Horizons of Higher Education 

The 2024 rankings saw the introduction of three new categories: State Public Universities, Open Universities, and Skill Universities. These additions reflect the government’s commitment to recognizing the diversity of India’s higher education system and ensuring that all types of institutions are represented in the rankings. 

• State Public Universities: These universities play a crucial role in providing accessible education to a large number of students across India. The inclusion of this category acknowledges their contribution to higher education and provides a benchmark for their performance. 
• Open Universities: With the rise of distance and online education, Open Universities have become an essential part of the education system. Their inclusion in the rankings highlights the importance of flexible learning options that cater to diverse student needs. 
• Skill Universities: As the name suggests, Skill Universities focus on imparting practical skills and vocational training. Their inclusion in the rankings aligns with the government’s emphasis on employability and skill development. 

Key Highlights of India Rankings 2024 

The India Rankings 2024 have brought several noteworthy achievements to the fore. Here are a few notable highlights: 

1. IIT Madras: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras continues its reign at the top, securing the 1st position in the Overall category for the sixth consecutive year. This achievement underscores IIT Madras’s consistent excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. 
2. Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru: IISc Bengaluru has maintained its top position in the Universities category for the ninth consecutive year. It also secured the 1st position in the Research Institutions category, reflecting its strength in cutting-edge research and innovation. 
3. IIM Ahmedabad: The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad continues to lead in the Management category, holding the 1st position for the fifth consecutive year. This achievement reaffirms IIM Ahmedabad’s reputation as one of the premier business schools in India. 
4. AIIMS New Delhi: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi has secured the top spot in the Medical category for the seventh consecutive year. AIIMS’s dominance in this category highlights its excellence in medical education, research, and healthcare. 
5. Hindu College, Delhi: Hindu College has made a significant leap, securing the 1st position in the Colleges category for the first time. This marks a change in leadership, with Hindu College replacing Miranda House, which held the top spot for seven consecutive years. 
6. Anna University, Chennai: Anna University has topped the newly introduced State Public Universities category, setting a benchmark for other state universities across the country. 
7. IGNOU, New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has secured the 1st position in the Open Universities category, highlighting its role in providing accessible and flexible education to millions of students. 
8. Symbiosis Skill and Professional University (SSPU), Pune: SSPU Pune has topped the Skill Universities category, reflecting its commitment to imparting practical skills and vocational training. 

Parameters and Weightage: What Makes a Top Institution? 

The India Rankings are based on a comprehensive set of parameters that assess various aspects of an institution’s performance. These parameters are grouped into five broad categories, each with its own weightage: 

• Teaching, Learning & Resources (30%): This category assesses the quality of teaching, learning resources, and the overall educational experience provided by the institution. 
• Research and Professional Practice (30%): This category evaluates the institution’s research output, professional practice, and contribution to knowledge creation. 
• Graduation Outcome (20%): This category measures the success of students in terms of graduation rates, placements, and further studies. 
• Outreach and Inclusivity (10%): This category assesses the institution’s efforts to reach out to underrepresented groups and ensure diversity and inclusivity in its student body. 
• Perception (10%): This category gauges the perception of the institution among peers, employers, and the public. 

Each of these categories is further divided into sub-parameters, making a total of 18 parameters that are used to rank institutions. The final ranking is based on the total sum of marks assigned to each of these parameters. 

Looking Ahead: The Future of Higher Education in India 

The India Rankings 2024 is not just a reflection of the current state of higher education in India but also a roadmap for the future. By emphasizing employability, inclusivity, and innovation, the rankings encourage institutions to strive for excellence in all aspects of their functioning. 

The inclusion of new categories like Skill Universities and Open Universities reflects the changing needs of the education system. As India moves towards becoming a knowledge-driven economy, the role of these institutions in providing practical skills and flexible learning options will become increasingly important. 

The government’s focus on transparency and inclusivity in the ranking process ensures that all institutions, regardless of their size or status, have the opportunity to showcase their strengths. This not only helps students and parents make informed choices but also fosters healthy competition among institutions, driving them to improve their standards continuously. 

Conclusion: A Step Towards Educational Excellence 

The India Rankings 2024 marks a significant milestone in the journey towards educational excellence in India. By expanding the scope of the rankings and emphasizing employability and skills, the Ministry of Education has taken a crucial step towards aligning higher education with the needs of the 21st-century workforce. 

For students and parents, these rankings provide a valuable tool to navigate the complex landscape of higher education. For institutions, they serve as a benchmark to measure their performance and identify areas for improvement. As India continues to rise as a global education hub, the India Rankings will play a vital role in ensuring that the country’s higher education system remains competitive, inclusive, and focused on the future. 

The journey ahead is promising, and with the collective efforts of all stakeholders—government, institutions, and students—India is well on its way to realizing the goal of Viksit Bharat, a developed and prosperous nation.