GS Paper 2
Topics Covered: Issues related to education.
Context:
The Education Ministry recently launched the sixth edition of the NIRF.
Highlights of the sixth edition:
- IIT-Madras, IISc-Bangalore, and IIT-Bombay have emerged as the country’s top three higher education institutions.
- Under the best college category, Miranda House has again topped the list this year.
- In the university category, IISc Bengaluru was the best-ranked varsity.
What is NIRF?
- It is the first-ever effort by the government to rank higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country.
- Launched in 2015.
- Participation in the NIRF was voluntary in the initial years; it was made compulsory for all government-run educational institutions in 2018.
- This year, roughly 6,000 institutions have participated in NIRF — about twice the number in 2016.
How are they ranked?
- In order to be ranked, all education institutions are assessed on five parameters: teaching, learning and resources, research and professional practices, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and perception.
- NIRF lists out best institutions across 11 categories – overall national ranking, universities, engineering, college, medical, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, dental and research.
Insta Curious:
Did you know that the idea of NIRF has its roots in the global rankings? The union government and government-run HEIs were quite upset about their standing in QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Ranking. Know more about these reports here and here.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- What is NIRF?
- Parameters used for ranking.
- Top institutions in various categories.
- Performance of various institutions this year vs last year.
- What is Institutions of eminence scheme?
- Institutions in Top 200 list of QS World University Rankings.
Mains Link:
Discuss the significance of Institutions of Eminence scheme.
Sources: Indian Express.
