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Do not publish NIRF ranking for 2025: HC to Education Ministry

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(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 5)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education

Context

  • The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court restrained the Education Ministry and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) from publishing the NIRF ranking for 2025.

  • The order was issued while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by C. Chellamuthu from Tamil Nadu.

Petitioner’s Claims

  • The petitioner argued that NIRF rankings lack transparency and are misleading students.

  • Institutions self-upload data on parameters like faculty strength, salaries, placements, and research funds without independent verification.

  • In contrast, NAAC accreditation follows a rigorous audit process by expert committees.

Key Concerns Raised

  • The petitioner requested that NIRF rankings be based on verified government records and that the calculation method be disclosed.

  • The court has restrained publication of NIRF 2025 rankings until further review.

NIRF Rankings: Importance, Challenges, and Way Forward

Importance of NIRF Rankings

  • Benchmark for Higher Education: Helps students and parents evaluate institutions based on standardized criteria.

  • Enhances Competitiveness: Encourages institutions to improve quality in teaching, research, and infrastructure.

  • Policy and Funding Decisions: Influences government funding and policy formulation for higher education.

  • International Recognition: Improves India’s standing in global education rankings.

Challenges Associated

  • Data Authenticity Issues: Institutions self-upload data without third-party verification.

  • Lack of Field Audits: No on-ground evaluation like NAAC, leading to potential data manipulation.

  • Overemphasis on Research: Focus on publications and citations may disadvantage teaching-oriented institutions.

  • Limited Inclusion of Skill-based Learning: Does not adequately assess practical learning and industry readiness.

Ways to Improve NIRF Rankings

  • Third-party verification of submitted data for accuracy.

  • Periodic on-site audits for comprehensive evaluation.

  • Inclusion of industry partnerships and employability metrics.

  • Transparent ranking methodology with clear weightage criteria.

Practice Question: Discuss the significance of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in higher education. What challenges does it face, and how can its ranking methodology be improved? (150 Words /10 marks)

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