NIRF Ranking for Innovation 2024: Top Innovation-Focused Colleges in India
Likhith
August 3, 2025
Introduction: Why Innovation Rankings Matter
India’s academic landscape is evolving fast, with a strong focus on innovation, patents, and research. The top innovative colleges in India are now setting new benchmarks through their contributions to R&D, entrepreneurship, and technology.
To support this shift, the Ministry of Education publishes a special category under its National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) — the Innovation Rankings. The NIRF Innovation Rankings 2024, available on the official portal (nirfindia.org), list the top innovative colleges in India, helping students make informed decisions about where to study if they are passionate about research, intellectual property, or startups.
Table of Contents
About NIRF and Its Innovation Ranking
Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is India’s premier system for ranking higher education institutions. It ranks institutions based on various domains, including overall quality, teaching, research, graduation outcomes, and innovation.
The NIRF Innovation Category, specifically, was introduced to evaluate institutions based on their contribution to India’s innovation ecosystem — including patents filed/granted, quality publications, industry collaborations, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Key Parameters for NIRF Innovation Rankings
As per the official NIRF framework 2024, institutions are ranked based on several innovation-related factors:
1. Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR)
- Faculty qualifications and availability
- Doctoral and postgraduate students
- Financial resource utilization
- Online learning and multilingual education access
2. Research and Professional Practices (RP)
- Number and quality of publications
- Patents published and granted
- Funded research projects
- Sustainable development goals (SDGs) related research
3. Graduation Outcomes (GO)
- Ph.D. graduates
- Performance in university-level examinations
4. Outreach and Inclusivity (OI)
- Regional and gender diversity
- Support for differently-abled and economically weaker students
5. Perception (PR)
- Peer and employer perception in innovation and research
Top Colleges in NIRF Innovation Rankings 2024
Here are the top-ranked colleges in India for innovation in 2024, as per NIRF:
| College Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | Maharashtra |
| Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad | Hyderabad | Telangana |
| Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru | Bengaluru | Karnataka |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | Kanpur | Uttar Pradesh |
| Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Roorkee | Uttarakhand |
| Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | New Delhi | Delhi |
| Indian Institute of Technology Mandi | Mandi | Himachal Pradesh |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | Kharagpur | West Bengal |
| Anna University | Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
These institutes have shown outstanding performance in innovation output, startup ecosystems, research quality, and global academic influence.
Why Choose a College with a Strong Innovation Ranking?
- Research Opportunities: Access to cutting-edge labs, mentors, and funding for research.
- Patent Filing Support: Strong institutional frameworks help students and faculty protect intellectual property.
- Start-up Culture: Institutions like IIT Madras and IISc offer incubation centers and venture capital connections.
- Global Collaborations: These institutes collaborate with top international universities and industries.
- Career Growth: Companies prioritize graduates from innovation-driven institutions.
Career Plan B, your trusted career guidance platform, assists students in identifying and getting into top innovation-ranked colleges based on their academic profiles, interests, and career goals.
Here’s how Career Plan B can support you:
- Profile Evaluation: Helps students understand if they’re a good fit for innovation-heavy institutes.
- Career Counselling: Guides students toward STEM, research, or entrepreneurship careers.
- Application Assistance: While Career Plan B doesn’t provide direct admission services, it helps you understand entrance exams, eligibility criteria, and deadlines.
- Stream-Neutral Guidance: Whether you’re from arts, commerce, or science, Career Plan B shows you how your stream doesn’t restrict your career — especially if you aim to be part of India’s innovation ecosystem.
Real-Life Example
Dr. Aishwarya Narayan – From Biotechnology to Innovation at IIT Bombay
Originally from a small-town school with a biotechnology background, Aishwarya was unsure whether she could make it to a premier innovation hub. With strong mentorship, targeted preparation, and awareness about innovation-focused programs, she cleared GATE and enrolled in IIT Bombay’s research program. Today, she holds three patents and is the co-founder of a health-tech startup.
Career Plan B guides such students in realizing that your stream or background does not limit your options if innovation is your goal.
FAQs: NIRF Innovation Ranking 2024
Q1. What is the difference between NIRF Overall and Innovation Rankings?
A: Overall rankings focus on academic performance, graduation outcomes, and perception, while innovation rankings emphasize patents, research projects, entrepreneurship, and industrial collaboration.
Q2. Are only engineering colleges included in Innovation Rankings?
A: While engineering institutes dominate the list, other universities such as Anna University also make significant contributions in innovation.
Q3. Can students from non-engineering backgrounds study at these institutes?
A: Yes. Institutes like IISc and IITs offer interdisciplinary courses open to students from science, design, and even commerce backgrounds.
Q4. Does Career Plan B offer college admissions?
A: No. Career Plan B does not offer direct admissions but helps with career discovery, application strategy, and profile alignment.
Q5. How do I apply to these top-ranked institutes?
A: Most of these institutes accept students via national-level entrance exams such as JEE Advanced, GATE, or institute-level tests.
Conclusion: Charting Your Future with Innovation and Adaptability
Choosing from the top innovative colleges in India ensures you’re part of an ecosystem that promotes creativity, research, and startup culture. The NIRF Innovation Rankings 2024 highlight institutions that are not only academically strong but also actively contributing to national innovation goals. Use this trusted ranking as a guide when selecting a college that aligns with your career ambitions in innovation.
Remember: Your college and stream start your journey, but your passion, adaptability, and preparedness for change determine how far you go. Plan wisely, stay curious, and never stop innovating!
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