National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF): Analyzing Performance of Top 50 Management Schools

Abstract

The present study aims to examine the statistical differences in performance across different categories of management schools in India against the five major NIRF performance parameter heads viz., Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR); Research and Professional Practices (RP); Graduation Outcomes (GO); Outreach and Inclusivity (OI); Peer Perception (PR); and Total Ranking Score (TRS). NIRF announced first ranking results in the year 2016 on the data of 2014-15. We have used the available NIRF ranking results of the top 50 ranked management schools for each of the six announcing years from 2016 to 2021. The study divided management schools into four categories as per their regulatory identity in India. Based on the relative performance and standing of four categories of management schools across five parameters of NIRF, the schools can strategize their efforts to retain and enhance their performance for achieving a higher NIRF ranking in the future. The findings are also pertinent to those management schools which are not ranked by NIRF for taking actionable decisions. This study claims its uniqueness as assessing the relative performance of institutions in the higher education sector in India. The theoretical underpinning of rankings can be a relevant addition to the existing literature of ranking systems for higher educational institutions.