Page 59 - EW may 2026

Women, Mysuru #4. The only dis-
ruption in top table is promotion of
the Government Holkar (Model
Autonomous) Science College,
Indore, to #5 (#6 in 2025-26)
ranked jointly with the Meenakshi
Government Arts College for
Women, Madurai (5).
Dr. K. Padmavathi, an alumna
of Osmania University who has
served as head of several govern-
ment colleges in the state and is the
incumbent Director of GDCW, Be-
gumpet, is “delighted” that GDWC
is ranked India’s #1 government
autonomous college for the third
year consecutively.
“It’s also very encouraging
that we have been awarded high-
est score under the parameters of Presidency, Chennai’s Dr. Raman (centre left): 100,000 applications for 2,300 seats
faculty welfare and development
and curriculum and pedagogy, and under the parameters of career Government Holkar (Model Au-
high scores for career readiness and readiness/placement and infra- tonomous) Science College, Indore.
placements. This is because we con- structure. “Though I am disap- Established in 1891, Government
duct regular in-house professional pointed that we have narrowly — by Holkar College has been steadily
development programs for our 115 two points — missed #1 rank, it’s rising up the league table from #7
faculty, focusing on AI integration, gratifying that Presidency College is in 2023-24 to #6 in 2024-25 and #5
Indian Knowledge Systems, e- consistently ranked among India’s this year. It has been awarded high
governance and other contemporary very best autonomous government scores under the parameters of cur-
best practices. Our faculty are given colleges. We are one of the country’s riculum and pedagogy, infrastructure
incentives for research publica- oldest government colleges with a and leadership/governance quality.
tions, patents, conference participa- legacy of over a century of academic “We are very proud that we are
tion, and funded research projects. excellence. We receive over 1 lakh ranked among India’s Top 5 govern-
Faculty welfare and development is admission applications annually for ment autonomous colleges. Founded
an important priority to prepare our 2,300 undergraduate seats. This is by his High Highness Shivaji Rao
4,813 women students, 70 percent because of widespread awareness of Holkar in 1891, the college has
of whom are from disadvantaged our rigorous academics, continuous successfully transitioned from a tra-
socio-economic households and first- assessments, internships, and strong ditional seat of learning to a modern,
generation learners, to be job-ready. placement support. Over 200 of our model autonomous institution. While
Moreover, for the same reason we faculty have doctorate qualifications all EW survey evaluation parameters
regularly update our curricula, have and contribute actively to research. are interconnected and important,
established Centres of Excellence Our eight-member placement cell we accord the highest value to
in collaboration with industry and has established strong links with leadership and governance, which
business organisations such as the industry and regularly organises is the precondition of ensuring that
Telangana We-Hub, EduNet, and skills training programmes with excellent standards are maintained
TNS India Foundation, and launched industry support. Currently, we are across all other parameters. The
programmes such as ‘AI Careers for engaged in enhancing and upgrading college management has successfully
Women’ to support students’ skill- our campus infrastructure and will led the implementation of NEP 2020
building and future-readiness,” says be adding new labs, hostels, and a to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat
Dr. Padmavathi. 2,042-seat auditorium. This explains — we have integrated Indian Knowl-
Dr. R. Raman, Principal of our highest score under career readi- edge Systems, 21st-century skills,
Presidency College, Chennai ness/placements and infrastructure and sustainability frameworks into
(estb.1840), is also pleased that the parameters,” says Raman. our curriculum. We are committed
186-year-old college has retained its The sole non-peninsular In- to providing our students a transfor-
India #2 rank with highest scores dia college ranked in the Top 5 is mative learning environment rooted

MAY 2026 EDUCATIONWORLD 59