NIRF 2025 college rankings: Hindu College at No.1; here's the list of top 10 institutes

India’s higher education landscape has long been marked by competition, aspiration, and the pursuit of academic excellence. With the Ministry of Education officially releasing the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, students, parents, and educators now have a clear view of the institutions leading the charge in shaping India’s academic future.

This year, Hindu College has secured the top position in the colleges category, followed by Miranda House and Hans Raj College. This year’s rankings mark the tenth edition of the framework, with a notable addition: A new Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) category reflecting socially responsible and globally aligned education.Since its inception, the NIRF has served as a benchmark, evaluating institutions across multiple parameters including teaching, learning, research output, graduation outcomes, outreach, inclusivity, and perception.

The framework not only identifies high-performing institutions but also signals emerging centers of excellence, offering students a roadmap for making informed choices.

Top 10 Colleges in India: Overall NIRF rankings 2025

Here’s a look at the top 10 colleges in India according to NIRF 2025:

What this ranking means for students

The NIRF 2025 college rankings underscore a fundamental truth: Excellence in higher education is not limited to legacy institutions alone. While Delhi University dominates the top slots, colleges from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu demonstrate how regional institutions are creating waves through research, innovation, and inclusive practices.

For students, these rankings offer both guidance and inspiration, showing that opportunity is abundant, but choosing the right environment for growth remains critical.

Looking ahead

The debut of the SDG-focused category in 2025 underscores the growing significance of sustainable and socially responsible education. Colleges that embed innovation, inclusivity, and global awareness into their teaching are gaining recognition alongside traditional academic metrics. As India’s higher education landscape continues to evolve, these rankings serve as a reminder that choosing the right college is not just about prestige, but about finding an environment that equips students with the skills, mindset, and values needed to thrive in a complex, rapidly changing world.