Shoolini, IIT Mandi secure spots in NIRF 2025: other Himachal universities lag

Shimla, Sept 5,

Himachal Pradesh registered a mixed performance in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF-2025) released by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday. While the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi made a notable leap in the overall rankings, Shoolini University, Solan once again secured its position among the country’s top private universities.

In the overall category, IIT Mandi climbed to the 58th position with 54.52 points, marking a steady rise in its academic and research standing. Shoolini University also maintained its national visibility, continuing its presence among leading private institutions.

Also read:IIT Mandi ranks 20, climbs 39 places in the Overall NIRF rankings 2022

However, traditional public universities such as Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) Shimla and Sardar Patel University, Mandi, along with the state’s medical and dental colleges, failed to find a place in the rankings.

The 2025 NIRF rankings were announced across 17 categories including Overall, Universities, Colleges, Engineering, Research, Medical, Dental, Innovation, and SDG-related performance. Despite IIT Mandi’s progress, Himachal Pradesh did not feature in top-50 public universities, top-3 open universities, or top-3 skill universities. The state also missed out on the top-100 colleges, top-50 research institutions, top-10 innovation, and top-10 SDG categories.

By contrast, regional competitors such as the University of Kashmir and Panjab University secured positions in the National charts, underlining the tough competition in North India’s academic landscape.

According to official data, 14,163 institutions participated in the 10th edition of the NIRF rankings, the highest so far. Education experts note that while IIT Mandi’s rise and Shoolini University’s consistency are encouraging, the lack of representation from other Himachal institutions signals the urgent need for academic reforms, research-driven initiatives, and infrastructural upgrades to make state universities more competitive at the national level.

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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.

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Himachalscape bureau

The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.