AGRICULTURE BY NIRF RANKING 2025

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, unveiled on September 4, 2025, encompasses 17 domains including a dedicated Agriculture & Allied Sector. According to the Ministry of Education, this program evaluates institutions based on teaching–learning resources, research, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and peer perception.

NIRF Ranking of top Agriculture Institutes

Here are the Top 10 colleges in the Agricultural and Allied Sector as per NIRF 2025

Key Parameters Used by NIRF for Agriculture

NIRF ranks agricultural institutions based on five core parameters. These parameters ensure that universities focus on quality learning, innovation, and employability:

Why NIRF Rankings Are Important for Agricultural Education

1. Helps Students Make Informed Choices

• Aspiring students can easily compare top institutions based on quality of education, research opportunities, placement rates, and industry collaborations.
• For example, IARI, NDRI, and TNAU consistently secure top positions, making them highly desirable for agriculture aspirants.

1. Drives Healthy Competition Among Institutions

• Universities aim to improve their NIRF ranking by investing in better teaching methodologies, digital farming labs, and cutting-edge research.
• Institutions like SKUAST-Kashmir and Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) have improved their rankings significantly due to focused investments.

1. Boosts Research and Innovation

• Agriculture is evolving rapidly with the advent of AI-driven farming, precision agriculture, soil genomics, and climate-resilient crops.
• NIRF incentivizes institutions to publish high-quality research, file patents, and work on industry-driven projects.

1. Improves Employability and Career Prospects

• Top-ranked agricultural universities maintain strong industry linkages with:
• Agritech startups
• Food processing industries
• Seed and fertilizer companies
• Government research bodies like ICAR
• Students from high-ranking institutions have better access to placements, internships, and global exposure.

1. Encourages Regional and Rural Inclusivity

• Agriculture-focused universities often draw students from rural backgrounds.
• NIRF rankings reward institutions that maintain diversity, outreach programs, and farmer training initiatives, making them more inclusive.

Institutional Highlights & Achievements

1. Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi

Securing the top rank for the third consecutive year, IARI is the undisputed leader in agricultural education and research in India. Beyond agriculture, it also earned second place in the newly introduced “SDG Institutions” category.

2. ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal

Ranked second, NDRI is a powerhouse in dairy research. Its accolades include pioneering the world’s first hand-guided buffalo cloning, and developing over 80 commercially adopted technologies in dairy processing. Its high-performance dairy plant can process over 60,000 liters of milk daily, and its innovations span from synbiotic products to climate-resilient livestock research

3. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana

PAU retained its third position, with a notable improvement in score from 69.63 to 75.83, reaffirming its enduring legacy in Indian agricultural education. It also gained recognition globally, ranking 93rd worldwide among agricultural universities in EduRank 2025.

4. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

Holding the fourth rank, BHU stands out for multidisciplinarity and strong outreach in agriculture.

5. Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar

IVRI climbed into the top five, continuing its legacy in veterinary sciences and zoonotic research.

Other Noteworthy Institutions

• TNAU, Coimbatore (6^th): Focused on sustainable agriculture and extension services.
• SKUAST-K, Srinagar (7^th): For the first time, it cracked the top 10, marking a milestone in regional representation.
• CIFE, Mumbai (8^th): A leading fisheries education and research institute.
• GB Pant University, Pantnagar (9^th): A pioneer state institution with decades of agricultural excellence.
• CCS HAU, Hisar (10^th): A key player in Haryana’s agricultural education landscape.

Conclusion

NIRF 2025’s Agriculture & Allied Sector ranking reaffirms the leading positions of stalwarts like IARI, NDRI, and PAU, while also heralding growth among emerging institutions across diverse regions. For aspirants, researchers, and policymakers alike, this ranking underscores where India’s agricultural education stands—and where it needs to go to ensure inclusive, innovative, and sustainable progress.