Gauhati University Breaks into India’s Top 10 State Public Universities in NIRF 2025 Rankings

EduNE Bureau

Guwahati: Gauhati University has scripted a proud chapter in Assam’s higher education history by securing the ninth position among India’s top 10 state public universities in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, released by the Ministry of Education.

The recognition is a significant milestone for the century-old institution, founded in 1948, which has long served as the premier seat of learning in Assam and the Northeast. This year, Gauhati University climbed from the 11th position in 2024 to 9th place, underscoring its consistent improvement in research, teaching, and academic standards.

The NIRF rankings — regarded as the benchmark for evaluating higher education institutions in India — assess performance across six parameters: teaching and learning resources, research and professional practices, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and overall perception.

In the 2025 list, Jadavpur University in Kolkata retained its dominance by clinching the top spot, followed by Anna University in Chennai at second place and Panjab University, Chandigarh at third. Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (4th), Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram (5th), Cochin University of Science and Technology (6th), Osmania University, Hyderabad (7th), and University of Kashmir, Srinagar (8th) were ranked ahead of Gauhati University, while Bharathiar University, Coimbatore rounded off the top 10.

Assam’s Education Minister Ranoj Pegu described the achievement as a “proud moment” for the state, while Parliamentary Affairs and Education Minister Ranjit Kumar Dass, speaking at the Western Zonal Youth Festival in Bongaigaon, congratulated the university fraternity. “This recognition is a positive step and reflects the collective effort of the students, faculty, and staff of Gauhati University,” Dass said.

Founded soon after India’s independence, Gauhati University has historically played a pivotal role in shaping the academic and intellectual life of Assam. From pioneering research in science and humanities to being a cultural hub, the university has produced generations of scholars, policymakers, and leaders for the region.

The latest recognition places it firmly among the nation’s leading state-funded institutions, reaffirming its reputation as the academic flagship of Northeast India.