Rahul · September 5, 2025 
Introduction
When the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) releases its list each year, students, parents, and even colleges pay close attention to the results. The NIRF 2025 vs 2024 medical rankings are more than just numbers—they serve as a reliable indicator of academic quality, faculty strength, research output, clinical exposure, and placement outcomes. For aspiring medical professionals, the NIRF 2025 vs 2024 medical rankings provide valuable insights into which institutions are setting benchmarks in education and healthcare training.
In this blog, we break down the Top 20 medical colleges of NIRF 2025 vs 2024 medical rankings, analyze the shifts in positions, highlight who gained, who slipped, and explore the reasons behind these changes. More importantly, we discuss what these movements actually mean for your career decisions, helping you make an informed choice about where to pursue your medical education.
NIRF 2025 vs 2024: India’s Top 20 Medical Colleges
| Rank | 2025 College | 2024 College | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AIIMS New Delhi | AIIMS New Delhi | No change – consistent leader |
| 2 | PGIMER Chandigarh | PGIMER Chandigarh | No change |
| 3 | CMC Vellore | CMC Vellore | No change |
| 4 | JIPMER Puducherry | JIPMER Puducherry | No change |
| 5 | SGPGIMS Lucknow | SGPGIMS Lucknow | No change |
| 6 | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | No change |
| 7 | BHU Varanasi (IMS) | BHU Varanasi (IMS) | No change |
| 8 | KGMU Lucknow | KGMU Lucknow | No change |
| 9 | Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU | JNMC, AMU | No change |
| 10 | St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru | St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru | No change |
| 11 | Saveetha Institute, Chennai | Saveetha Institute, Chennai | No change |
| 12 | Kasturba Medical College, Manipal | Kasturba Medical College, Manipal | No change |
| 13 | AIIMS Rishikesh | AIIMS Rishikesh | No change |
| 14 | AIIMS Bhubaneswar | AIIMS Bhubaneswar | No change |
| 15 | SRM Institute of Science & Technology | SRM Institute of Science & Technology | No change |
| 16 | Madras Medical College, Chennai | Madras Medical College, Chennai | No change |
| 17 | VIT Vellore (Medical Sciences) | VIT Vellore (Medical Sciences) | Entered Top 20 |
| 18 | JSS Medical College, Mysuru | JSS Medical College, Mysuru | Slipped from 17th |
| 19 | AIIMS Jodhpur | AIIMS Jodhpur | No change |
| 20 | Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru | Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru | No change |
Key Insights from NIRF 2025 vs 2024
The Top 10 Colleges Remain Stable
The first noticeable trend is stability. AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER, CMC Vellore, JIPMER, and SGPGI hold their positions firmly. For aspirants, this signals that the top institutes are consistently delivering on all NIRF parameters.Saveetha and SRM Hold Strong Among Privates
Private colleges like Saveetha Institute and SRM University retained their strong positions in the top 20. Their consistent ranking shows the growing credibility of private institutions in medical education.VIT Vellore Breaks Into Top 20
The biggest story of 2025 is VIT Vellore (Medical Sciences) entering at Rank 17, pushing JSS Medical College, Mysuru down to 18. This highlights how newer private institutions are making their presence felt.New AIIMS Maintain Positions but No Big Rise
AIIMS Rishikesh (#13), AIIMS Bhubaneswar (#14), and AIIMS Jodhpur (#19) maintained their ranks. While they didn’t climb higher, their steady performance signals reliability.Government Colleges in Tamil Nadu Face Pressure
Madras Medical College (#16) remains stable but continues to be outperformed by private rivals Saveetha (#11) and SRM (#15). This ongoing trend may influence future admission choices in Tamil Nadu.
What Do These Shifts Mean for Students?
If you are targeting top-tier clinical training, the stability of AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER, and CMC Vellore assures unmatched exposure.
If you want a balance of academics and global exposure, private colleges like Saveetha, SRM, and VIT are becoming serious contenders.
Students looking at state-level institutes (e.g., MMC Chennai, KGMU Lucknow, BHU Varanasi) can rely on their consistent rankings as a measure of trust.
How Career Plan B Can Help?
Navigating medical admissions is not just about knowing the NIRF ranks—it’s about matching your career goals with the right institution. Career Plan B provides expert counseling, comparison insights, and backup strategies in case your first-choice college doesn’t work out. From analyzing NIRF data to guiding you on placements and PG options, Career Plan B ensures that you don’t just pick a college—you pick the right career path.
Still have doubts? Click here to book your first free session with Career Plan B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do NIRF rankings matter for medical aspirants?
NIRF rankings reflect academic reputation, research quality, placements, and overall student experience. They help aspirants make informed decisions about where to study.Did any new colleges enter the top 20 in 2025?
Yes, VIT Vellore (Medical Sciences) entered at Rank 17, which is the most notable change from 2024.Are private colleges reliable despite high NIRF ranks?
Yes. Institutes like Saveetha, SRM, and now VIT Vellore have consistently proven themselves in teaching and infrastructure, making them strong choices alongside government colleges.Why do AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER remain on top every year?
Both institutes consistently lead in clinical exposure, research publications, patient load, and global recognition. Their dominance is expected to continue.How should students use NIRF data when making decisions?
NIRF should be used as one factor among many. Students must also consider fees, location, faculty, and their long-term career plans.
Conclusion
The NIRF 2025 vs 2024 comparison shows remarkable stability among the top 15 medical colleges, reaffirming the dominance of long-established institutions. At the same time, it also highlights the rise of emerging players like VIT Vellore, which are steadily making their mark on medical education. While AIIMS, PGIMER, and CMC continue to remain untouchable at the top, the steady progress of private universities signals a changing landscape where quality education is no longer limited to just a few names.
For students, this trend translates into more options, wider opportunities, and tougher decisions. But more choices also bring the need for smart planning and careful guidance. That’s where Career Plan B steps in—helping you not only select the right college but also chart the right career direction for a successful future in medicine.
