Despite being the most literate state in the country, only five Kerala institutes have made it to the 100 best institutes in the country., according to the NIRF 2020 rankings. Kerala University which bagged the 42nd rank in the list is the best in the state. The other institutes that made it to the list are Mahatma Gandhi University (49), Calicut University (76), Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Thiruvananthapuram (80) and Cochin University of Science and Technology (89).
However, in 2019, only four Kerala institutes made it to the list. IISER Thiruvananthapuram is a new addition to the list. While the Mahatma Gandhi University had managed to maintain its rank, Kerala University's rank fell from 35 in 2019 to 42 in 2020. This year, 20 Kerala colleges made it to the list of top 100 colleges, in contrast to 18 last year. University College, Thiruvananthapuram bagged the 23rd rank to become the best in the state. Rajagiri College of Social Sciences bagged the 28th rank and Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram bagged the 40th rank.
In comparison to Kerala, its neighbouring state Tamil Nadu has 18 universities in the overall top 100 list. The state also has 32 colleges in the top 100 college list.
This is the first NIRF ranking that was announced under the leadership of HRD Minister Pokhriyal. The number of Indian institutes registered for the NIRF ranking this year has increased from 20 per cent as compared to last year. This year for the first time dental institutes will also be 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.
