The India-centric ranking of institutions based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) done by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) is about to enter the third edition with the next list expected to appear in 2018.
Now, this ranking is soon to become a reality at the State-level. The Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE), Government of Tamil Nadu, has issued a circular to all Government-aided and self-financing institutions in the State, including 13 universities, asking them to register with the NIRF and also the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
The aim is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of all institutions and in the bargain come up with a State rating framework for all of them.
While there have been two national NIRF rankings so far, there have been murmurs of discontent as the disparity between the 2016 ranking and that of the 2017 has been very wide. Also, some universities that participated in the 2016 ranking process did not do so in the 2017 exercise. Hence with the omission of these, it is not clear whether those in the top 100 really deserve those places. The ranking is only based on those institutions that have submitted data.
It is said that the Central Government has planned for a comprehensive ranking for 2018. This would mainly address a major issue - of institutions choosing not to take part. In 2017 only 3,300 institutions chose to take part. The 2018 ranking system would involve auto-registering of all institutions through the All India Survey on Higher Education portal. It is expected that this process would ensure that at least 10,000 institutions take part in the ranking.
In the light of this, the state ranking system is viewed with certain trepidation. Academics say that this is not a novel exercise, as Karnataka already has this system - Karnataka State University Rating Framework (KSURF) and has successfully released its first ranking list.
The various studies that have revolved round the rankings point out that though the NIRF is a sincere and competent effort, it was unlikely to bring about any real change in India’s higher education.
While this is the stake on the national ranking, the State-level process is designed to be online and comes with a deadline. Also, the information is specific and related to subject-wise data of each department. The ranking is based on five broad parameters and has 21 sub-classifications under these parameters.
There are a total of 13 universities that fall under the Directorate and have to apply for this ranking.
The methodology followed by NIRF national ranking academic also followed the five parameter model - teaching, learning and resources; research and professional practice; graduation outcomes; outreach and inclusivity; perception.
Whether the ranking is going to benefit the institutions or students, it is seen as a conscious exercise for the colleges and universities to document all their activities and check their performance under the different parameters.