SPPU slips from 37th to 91st rank in NIRF list

Pune: Once among the country's consistently top-ranked public universities, the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has suffered a steep fall in the latest National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings announced by the Union education ministry on Thursday.

SPPU saw a major drop, sliding from 37th to 91st in the overall category ranking, and from 23rd to 56th in the universities list.

Varsity officials stated that a shrinking faculty base due to retirements, increased student intake under the National Education Policy (NEP), and a consequent hit to research output and faculty-student ratio were primary reasons.

In contrast, Symbiosis International University improved its standing to 40th position this year from 52nd last year in the overall category.

In the overall category, SPPU tumbled a massive 54 ranks downwards this year. Among universities, it fell 33 ranks, and in the public state university category, it went down from third to 11th position.

In contrast to SPPU's slide, Symbiosis International University in Pune climbed 12 places; in the universities category, it climbed from 31st to 24th rank.

The NIRF rankings broadly assess institutions on five parameters: ‘Teaching, Learning and Resources', ‘Research and Professional Practices', ‘Graduation Outcomes', ‘Outreach and Inclusivity', and ‘Perception'.

SPPU vice-chancellor Suresh Gosavi told TOI, "The reason for the decline in the rankings is primarily the shrinking faculty base. Over the past one or two years, a large number of senior professors retired, affecting both the faculty-student ratio (FSR) and the research output — two key parameters in the NIRF evaluation."

The SPPU administration also stated that the launch of new degree programmes under the NEP has led to a surge in student enrolments, putting further pressure on the FSR. The loss of experienced, research-active faculty also dampened the university's research performance.

Talking about the recovery in motion for the next cycle, Gosavi said, "Despite the disappointing numbers, we assure that corrective steps are already underway. A faculty recruitment drive is in progress, which, once completed, is expected to improve both the FSR and research productivity. The university is also prioritising research outcomes and public perception in an effort to regain lost ground in the coming years."

The Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, Pune, once again secured the first position in the skill university category, while the Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences, Indore, achieved the second position in this list.

Swati Mujumdar, pro-chancellor of Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, said, "This success is the result of our consistent efforts to provide skill-based education with students' progress at the core. Securing the first rank in the country for two consecutive years is indeed a matter of great pride for us."

Vidya Yeravdekar, pro-chancellor of Symbiosis International University, said, "Overall excellent rankings this year and these milestones reflect our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global engagement."

Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth secured 71st rank in overall rankings from 63rd last year, while IISER, Pune, scored 55th this year from 42nd last year — both falling by several ranks.

The College of Engineering Pune Technological University (CoEPTU) secured 90th rank among the top 100 engineering institutions in India.