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curriculum & pedagogy (digital readi- tion from education institutions, par- accord high importance to fair and ob-
ness) etc. The scores awarded by sam- ticipation is not optional. In exercise of jective HEI rankings because they en-
ple respondents under each parameter citizens’ fundamental right of freedom able institutional upgradation and im-
to every HEI were totaled to rank them of speech and expression in the pub- provement,” says Dr. C. Raj Kumar,
in separate categories. “I am confident lic interest, your editors rank all suf- the polymath (alum of Madras, Delhi,
that the EW league tables accurately ficiently well-known institutions from Oxford and Harvard universities) and
reflect the relative merits and quality pre-primaries to universities whether founding vice chancellor of the top-
of the HEIs ranked in EWIHER 2025- they like it or not, even at risk of nui- ranked O.P. Jindal Global University,
26,” says Misra. sance value vexatious litigation. Sonipat (estb.2009).
Nevertheless, with some media “All initiatives to assess and evalu- In Part I of EWIHER 2025-26, we
publications brazenly monetising ate an institution, service or even a present comprehensive league tables
rankings surveys, there is considerable beauty contest, are likely to invite con- rating and ranking India’s most ad-
cynicism about institutional rankings. troversy. Therefore, evaluators should mired public and private universities.
Not a few academia and industry lead- follow their larger goal or mission — in In the May issue (Part II) we intend
ers tend to dismiss often painstakingly this case upgrading and improving the to publish league tables rankings the
and diligently conducted surveys as country’s education system — in good country’s best Arts, Science & Com-
tainted. Indeed when “participation” faith regardless of criticism. For com- merce Colleges; Private (IITs & NITs
in some institutional surveys is invited mercial for-profit organisations, there excluded) Engineering Colleges; and
— as in the Union education ministry’s is an inevitable conflict of interest. But Private (IIMs excluded) B-schools.
NIRF — several top-ranked private if ranking surveys are conducted trans- We recommend these league tables
universities (Jindal, Ashoka) don’t ac- parently according to well-established are utilised to shortlist the most apti-
cept the invitation apprehending bias norms, they are welcome because they tudinally suitable HEIs for college and
against private universities. Therefore hold a mirror to education institutions school-leavers. To finalise choice of the
in EducationWorld ranking surveys, providing useful third party advice on most suitable HEI, further investiga-
although we invite hard data informa- ways and means to improve. I certainly tion is advised.

EWIHER 2025-26 COUNTRYWIDE SURVEY

Metro cities

Tier II, III & IV cities
(164 cities)

APRIL 2025 EDUCATIONWORLD 41