National: A wave of academic prowess has swept across Northeast India, with a commendable ten higher education institutions securing coveted spots within the top 50 of the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2025. This significant achievement underscores the region’s burgeoning influence in the national educational landscape.
Leading the charge for the Northeast, Rajiv Gandhi University in Itanagar has once again showcased its unwavering commitment to excellence, steadfastly holding onto its impressive 13th position nationally for the second consecutive year. This consistent high performance solidifies its standing as a formidable academic powerhouse on the national stage.
However, the latest rankings paint a mixed picture for some prominent regional universities. Tezpur University witnessed a noticeable dip, slipping from 16th to 24th, while Mizoram University experienced a more pronounced fall, moving from 15th to 25th. Similarly, North Eastern Hill University in Shillong saw its ranking decline from 18th to 29th, highlighting areas that these institutions may need to address.
Demonstrating the specialised strength of agricultural education, Central Agricultural University in Imphal proudly secured the 26th position. This ranking holds particular significance given the Northeast’s agrarian economy and the university’s pivotal role in cultivating sector-specific expertise.
Amidst these shifts, several institutions demonstrated encouraging upward mobility. Tripura University commendably climbed three positions, moving from 47th to 44th, while Nagaland University also showed positive progress, improving from 37th to 34th place.
The comprehensive list of Northeast universities making it to the national top 50 further includes Sikkim University (36th), Assam University (37th), and Manipur University (40th). Collectively, these institutions represent seven of the eight northeastern states within this prestigious bracket, a testament to the widespread academic development in the region.
While public institutions dominate, the private sector is also making its mark, albeit with limited representation in the very top tier. Sikkim Manipal University in Gangtok stands as the solitary private institution from the Northeast to break into the national top 50, achieving a respectable 24th position.
Beyond the top 50, the broader private university landscape in the Northeast shows considerable promise, with nine additional institutions successfully securing positions within the national top 100. Martin Luther Christian University in Shillong leads this group at 62nd, closely followed by William Carey University at 67th, and The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya rounding out the top performers at 77th position.
These authoritative rankings are the culmination of IIRF’s meticulous evaluation process, which encompassed over 2,500 institutions nationwide, including more than 500 universities. The framework’s strong emphasis on industry feedback and alignment with workforce needs makes these achievements particularly pertinent for boosting graduate employability and fostering economic development across the vibrant Northeast.
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