A Ranking Framework for Higher Education Institutions in India: A Policy Analysis

Abstract

The Indian higher education system in the post-independent times continued the colonial practice and so got isolated itself in the world higher education ranking system and not having indigenous ranking system meant we are practically working in the closed compartments. Except for a few research and management institutions, by and large the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) did not appear in the global rankings, this non- appearance is a reflection of a policy neglect on higher education system in the country, leading to only a few institutions finding their places in the world rankings conducted by different bodies. The policy response to address this problem was that India having National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) to rank HEIs. The two year old NIRF has to be made robust enough for it to become relevance in improving the quality of education system. To this end research paper systematically engages in content and discourse analysis of NIRFs methodology, to identify its gaps and make a policy recommendation for developing it into a robust framework.