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The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) completed a decade this year, with the latest rankings recently released on September 4, 2025. The domestic rankings, initiated by the Narendra Modi government in 2016, have had some methodological changes, added categories and implemented new rules. The rankings show a positive trend for higher education and a focus on 'outcome-led systemic improvements', shows a KPMG analysis of the NIRF data. A detailed analysis of NIRF by KPMG shows a growing momentum in PhD doctoral education. As per the KPMG study based on the analysis of NIRF, the percentage of PhD qualified faculty members is reaching nearly 60 per cent in the overall category in 2025 for the top 100 ranked institutions, with management institutes reporting over 90 per cent and engineering colleges over 80 per cent. Even among universities and colleges, the share of doctoral faculty has grown, reflecting a broader institutional emphasis on research, academic rigor, and quality teaching. The KPMG analysis shows that for institutions ranked under the Engineering category, the proportion of PhD faculty members has grown from 28 per cent in 2017 to 48 per cent in 2025. Similarly, top-ranked institutions consistently show over 73 per cent (across most categories) representation of PhD-qualified faculty members compared to the remaining institution. Increase in enrolments, completions It can also be observed that PhD enrolment in University category has grown by 21 per cent between 2019 and 2025, while PhD completion surged by nearly 49 per cent. "This trend reflects that HEIs are improving the PhD ecosystem to enhance the research productivity," the KPMG report stated. The data shows that PhD enrolments in the university category have grown by 21 per cent in six years from 97,947 in 2019 to 118,556 in 2025. Meanwhile, PhD completions surged by nearly 49 per cent from 16,403 to 24, 481 in the same period. "Interestingly, one of the most significant growth in enrolments came from institutions ranked from 76-100, showing a broadening base of research training. At the same time, higher ranked institutions led in improving PhD completion rates, reflecting a focus on timely graduation," the report further added. Input = OutputThe increase in input has presumably had a positive effect on research output as well. As per the KPMG analysis, publication output across disciplines has surged over the last decade, with universities and engineering institutions recording around 150 per cent growth in number of publications. Categories such as Pharmacy and Management saw a remarkable average 300 per cent growth. "These improving trends suggest that institutions may be strategically focusing on research excellence," the report commented. Meanwhile, the leading institutions in both overall and engineering rankings have demonstrated a strong ability to transform published patents into granted patents consistently. Additionally, the top 25 universities now attract nine times more sponsored research funding compared to institutions ranked between 76 and 100, highlighting a rising culture of innovation and robust collaboration with industry. "This momentum, supported by government incentives and NIRF’s research emphasis, has positioned India among the top six countries globally for patent activity," said Narayanan Ramaswamy, national leader - education and skill development, KPMG in India, in the foreword of the report. The improvement in research sector has reflected in global rankings of Indian varsities. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, India is the fourth most represented country, with 54 institutions. This is a fivefold increase since 2015.
