Martha Divakar · December 11, 2025 
Introduction
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), launched by India’s Ministry of Education, evaluates and ranks higher-education institutions across multiple parameters including Teaching, Learning & Resources; Research & Professional Practices; Graduation Outcomes; Outreach & Inclusivity; and Peer Perception. While flagship institutions often retain their positions, some colleges experience fluctuations that cause them to fall out of the coveted Top 100 list. This blog explores the eight engineering colleges that lost their NIRF Top 100 spot in 2025, analyzes potential drivers behind the decline, and outlines actionable insights for institutions, students, and career counselors.
List of Institutes That Dropped Out in 2025
| 2024 NIRF Rank | College Name |
|---|---|
| 69 | Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum |
| 77 | COEP Technological University, Pune |
| 82 | National Institute of Technology Agartala |
| 87 | Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad |
| 89 | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi |
| 92 | Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan |
| 99 | R.V. College of Engineering, Bengaluru |
| 100 | Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur |
Deep Dive into Contributing Factors
- Marginal Score Fluctuations
Institutes near the cutoff often face year-to-year volatility. A slight dip in research publications or lower placement percentages can reduce overall scores by fractions, enough to affect ranking positions. - Research & Professional Practices
Decreases in funded research projects, patent filings, or industry-sponsored consultancy can directly impact the Research & Professional Practices score, leading to rank shifts. - Teaching, Learning & Resources
Variations in student–faculty ratios, teaching credentials, and infrastructure investments (e.g., laboratory upgrades) can influence the TLR metric significantly. - Graduation Outcomes
Slight declines in pass rates, median salary packages, or progression to higher studies can alter Graduation Outcomes scores, affecting an institute’s overall ranking. - Outreach & Inclusivity
Reduced participation in extension activities, regional diversity, or gender balance initiatives may lower outreach scores, signaling weakened societal impact. - Peer Perception
Surveys of employers, peers, and academics shape perception scores. Fewer MoUs, industry collaborations, or alumni engagement could contribute to negative perception shifts.
Strategic Recommendations
- For Institutions:
- Audit NIRF Metrics: Conduct detailed reviews of each parameter to identify gaps.
- Research Incentives: Provide grants, seed funding, and support for high-impact publications.
- Faculty Development: Invest in training and recruit experienced educators to improve TLR and perception.
- Industry Engagement: Forge new partnerships, expand sponsored projects, and host industry-driven workshops.
- Inclusivity Programs: Launch scholarship schemes and campus community projects to boost OI scores.
- For Students & Counselors:
- Beyond Rankings: Evaluate departmental strengths, faculty expertise, and placement history alongside NIRF ranks.
- Emerging Opportunities: Consider institutes showing upward trends in specific metrics rather than absolute rank alone.
- Career Alignment: Match program specializations and industry connections with long-term career goals.
FAQs
Q1: What causes a top 100 college to drop its NIRF ranking?
Colleges may lose rank due to small score fluctuations in research output, teaching–learning resources, or graduation outcomes. Consistent performance across all parameters is essential to maintain or improve ranking status.
Q2: How can an institute recover its NIRF Top 100 position quickly?
By prioritizing focused improvements such as boosting research publications, enhancing student–faculty engagement, strengthening industry partnerships, and improving campus infrastructure, a college can regain its standing in the following year.
Q3: Do NIRF rankings consider placement and salary packages?
Yes, the Graduation Outcomes parameter includes placement percentages and median salary packages, impacting an institute’s overall NIRF score.
Q4: Are changes in faculty count and credentials important?
Absolutely. The Teaching, Learning & Resources metric factors in student–faculty ratio and faculty qualifications, making faculty development crucial for improved NIRF performance.
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- Support for Appeals/Technical Issues: Help in resolving portal issues, appeals, or queries with admission authorities.
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Conclusion
The eight colleges that slipped out of the NIRF 2025 Top 100 list highlight the dynamic nature of institutional rankings. Even minor declines in research funding, teaching quality, or community outreach can significantly impact overall performance. For institutions, a data-driven approach to audit and enhance NIRF metrics is vital. For students and career counselors, interpreting rankings in conjunction with program-specific strengths ensures well-informed decisions. Ultimately, the NIRF framework encourages continuous improvement and transparency, driving Indian engineering education toward global excellence.
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