Minister of Human Resource and Development Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', on Thursday, released the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2020 rankings through a webcast. While the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore have grabbed the first three ranks in the category of medical colleges and hospitals, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) based in Bengaluru, considered one the most best institutes for mental sciences across India, has bagged the fourth rank in this year's NIRF rankings - the very first time they applied.
B N Gangadhar, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of NIMHANS expressed his happiness about the rankings. In fact, he was not even aware of NIMHANS securing the fourth rank in NIRF rankings. He said, "Thanks for informing us as we were not aware of these rankings or announcements. This is the first time that we applied for NIRF and we are happy to get the fourth rank for the first time. In the previous years, we never uploaded our documents for NIRF. Since, NIRF is the step to gauge the academic progress of the institutions, I feel that it is the contribution of our team who are working in both academic and medical sectors at NIMHANS. I dedicate this rank and success to our faculty members."
This is the first NIRF ranking that was announced under the leadership of HRD Minister Pokhriyal. In the e-launch of NIRF ranking on Wednesday, UGC Chairman Dhirendra Pal Singh, AICTE Chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe were also present along with other officials.
The number of Indian institutes which registered for the NIRF ranking this year has increased from 20 per cent as compared to the number last year. This year for the first time dental institutes were also ranked. Earlier, Institutes were ranked in multiple categories including – best overall institute, best university, top engineering institute, top college, best management institute, top pharmacy college, best law school, best architecture college, and top medical college. The education institutes and universities all over India are ranked across several parameters including teaching, learning and resources, research and professional practices, graduation outcome outreach and inclusivity, and perception