The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 has released its much-awaited Research Rankings on September 4, 2025, offering fresh insights into India’s research ecosystem. Every year, these rankings guide PhD aspirants, postdocs, and researchers to choose the best institutions based on quality research output, infrastructure, and perception.
In 2025, IISc Bengaluru retains its top spot, continuing its legacy as India’s leading research hub. IIT Madras and IIT Delhi follow closely, reaffirming their stronghold on cutting-edge innovation and collaboration.
If you are planning to pursue a PhD, postdoctoral fellowship, or collaborative research project, this list is a must-read.
Overview of the NIRF Research Rankings 2025
- The top-ranked research institution in 2025: Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, with a score of 85.01, leading in its research quality and professional reputation (NIRF India).
- Second place: IIT Madras, with a strong score of 82.99 (NIRF India).
- Third place: IIT Delhi, scoring 80.42 (NIRF India).
Top 50 Research Institutions list as per the NIRF 2025 Research Rankings
Here is the full Top 50 Research Institutions list as per the NIRF 2025 Research Rankings, directly sourced from the official NIRF website:
| Rank | Institution | City | State | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 85.01 |
| 2 | IIT Madras | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 82.99 |
| 3 | IIT Delhi | New Delhi | Delhi | 80.42 |
| 4 | IIT Bombay | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 77.80 |
| 5 | IIT Kharagpur | Kharagpur | West Bengal | 71.61 |
| 6 | IIT Kanpur | Kanpur | Uttar Pradesh | 69.80 |
| 7 | Homi Bhabha National Institute | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 69.39 |
| 8 | IIT Roorkee | Roorkee | Uttarakhand | 67.27 |
| 9 | Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) | Ghaziabad | Uttar Pradesh | 67.15 |
| 10 | IIT Guwahati | Guwahati | Assam | 64.18 |
| 11 | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi | New Delhi | Delhi | 63.61 |
| 12 | University of Delhi | Delhi | Delhi | 62.65 |
| 13 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 60.96 |
| 14 | Vellore Institute of Technology | Vellore | Tamil Nadu | 60.39 |
| 15 | IIT Hyderabad | Hyderabad | Telangana | 60.15 |
| 16 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | 58.28 |
| 17 | Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 57.96 |
| 18 | BITS-Pilani | Pilani | Rajasthan | 56.71 |
| 19 | Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal | Manipal | Karnataka | 56.41 |
| 20 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi | Delhi | 56.13 |
| 21 | Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | New Delhi | Delhi | 56.06 |
| 22 | IIT (BHU) Varanasi | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | 55.81 |
| 23 | Jadavpur University | Kolkata | West Bengal | 55.53 |
| 24 | IIT Indore | Indore | Madhya Pradesh | 55.52 |
| 25 | SRM Institute of Science & Technology | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 55.41 |
| 26 | Anna University | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 55.09 |
| 27 | IIT (ISM) Dhanbad (Indian School of Mines) | Dhanbad | Jharkhand | 54.28 |
| 28 | Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Aligarh | Uttar Pradesh | 54.07 |
| 29 | Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) | New Delhi | Delhi | 52.98 |
| 30 | NIT Rourkela | Rourkela | Odisha | 52.69 |
| 31 | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu | 52.48 |
| 32 | University of Hyderabad | Hyderabad | Telangana | 51.48 |
| 33 | NIT Trichy | Tiruchirappalli | Tamil Nadu | 51.40 |
| 34 | Chandigarh University | Mohali | Punjab | 50.47 |
| 35 | IISER Pune | Pune | Maharashtra | 50.35 |
| 36 | IIT Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | 49.61 |
| 37 | Panjab University | Chandigarh | Chandigarh | 49.47 |
| 38 | Amity University | Gautam Budh Nagar | Uttar Pradesh | 49.25 |
| 39 | IIT Patna | Patna | Bihar | 48.75 |
| 40 | Lovely Professional University (LPU) | Phagwara | Punjab | 48.72 |
| 41 | Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 47.92 |
| 42 | Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology | Patiala | Punjab | 47.59 |
| 43 | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) | Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 46.73 |
| 44 | JNCASR (Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research) | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 46.57 |
| 45 | UPES (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies) | Dehradun | Uttarakhand | 46.46 |
| 46 | IISER Kolkata | Mohanpur | West Bengal | 46.42 |
| 47 | IIT Ropar | Rupnagar | Punjab | 46.00 |
| 48 | Calcutta University | Kolkata | West Bengal | 45.83 |
| 49 | Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan | Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 45.12 |
| 50 | MNIT Jaipur (Malaviya National Institute of Technology) | Jaipur | Rajasthan | 45.02 |
Why These Rankings Matter for PhD Aspirants
Choosing the right institution for your PhD can make or break your research career. Here’s why NIRF research rankings are crucial:
- Research Quality: Top-ranked institutes publish in high-impact journals and attract major funding.
- Infrastructure: Access to state-of-the-art labs, supercomputing facilities, and libraries.
- Collaborations: Opportunities for joint projects with global universities and industry partners.
- Career Boost: A higher-ranked institution adds weight to your CV and improves job market perception.
Strategies to Consider Before Choosing an Institution
Top bloggers and academic mentors suggest these strategies for making a smart decision:
- Check Department Rankings: A top institution overall may not be the best for your niche research area.
- Explore Faculty Profiles: Look for supervisors whose research interests match yours.
- Evaluate Research Funding: Check for fellowships, scholarships, and industry-funded projects.
- Review Alumni Outcomes: Where do graduates work? Academia, industry, or startups?
- Focus on Collaboration: Institutions with strong MoUs and international tie-ups can accelerate your research exposure.
FAQs
The NIRF Research Ranking 2025 is an official list released by the Ministry of Education that evaluates Indian institutions based on research quality, publications, infrastructure, inclusivity, and perception scores. It helps students identify the best research-driven institutions in the country.
IISc Bengaluru ranked No. 1 in the NIRF Research Rankings 2025, scoring 85.01 for its high-impact research output and outstanding academic reputation.
IIT Madras is the highest-ranked IIT for research in 2025, securing the 2nd overall position just behind IISc Bengaluru.
The rankings are based on several metrics such as Quality of Publications (QNR), Quality of Laboratory Resources (QLR), Faculty Resources, Outreach & Inclusivity (OI), and Perception (PR).
These rankings reflect the strength of research culture, funding, faculty quality, and collaborations at an institution—crucial factors for pursuing a successful PhD journey.
The complete list is available on the official NIRF website at nirfindia.org
The NIRF 2025 Research Rankings clearly highlight that India’s research ecosystem is thriving, with IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras, and IIT Delhi continuing to set the gold standard for research and innovation. The presence of multidisciplinary universities like Jamia Millia Islamia, JNU, and Chandigarh University in the top 50 shows that research excellence is no longer confined to IITs and IISc alone — diverse institutions across the country are investing in cutting-edge facilities, impactful publications, and global collaborations.
For PhD aspirants, researchers, and postdocs, these rankings are more than just numbers. They are a roadmap to finding the right environment for impactful research, better mentorship, and global exposure. Whether you are seeking state-of-the-art labs, interdisciplinary opportunities, or high publication potential, this list helps you make an informed decision.
In short, India’s research future looks promising, and with the right choice of institution, your contribution could be part of the next big scientific breakthrough.
ilovephd.com
