In a proud moment for Indian academia, sixteen outstanding faculty members from the Central University of Rajasthan (CUoR) have been recognized among the world’s top 2% scientists for 2025. This esteemed list, published by Stanford University in the United States, is meticulously compiled each year, drawing on comprehensive statistics from the widely respected Scopus database. The inclusion signifies not only individual brilliance but also the growing global impact of research emanating from India.
The Central University of Rajasthan, with its vibrant campus located in Bandar Sindri, near Kishangarh in the Ajmer district, has been a hub of learning and innovation since its establishment in 2009. This latest global accolade follows another significant achievement: the university recently climbed into the top 100 institutions nationwide, securing an impressive 89th position in the 2025 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
Anand Bhalerao, the Vice-Chancellor of CUoR, expressed immense pride and optimism about this global honor. Speaking on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, he stated that this recognition would undoubtedly invigorate the university’s research community, inspiring them to pursue even greater heights and firmly place CUoR on the world’s research stage. “This is a powerful testament to the unwavering dedication and innovative spirit thriving within our university,” remarked Professor Bhalerao.
The growth in recognition is remarkable; last year, 12 scientists from CUoR made it to this exclusive list, and that number has now risen to 16. Stanford University’s ‘World’s Top 2% Scientists’ ranking employs a rigorous methodology. It assesses scientists globally based on a composite citation score, which carefully considers several crucial metrics: the total number of citations their work has received, their h-index (a quantitative measure reflecting both the productivity and citation impact of their publications), and even their self-citations to ensure fairness.
To ensure a comprehensive and accurate evaluation, researchers are categorized across 22 broad scientific disciplines and further refined into 174 specialized sub-fields. Only those who demonstrate exceptional influence and fall within the top 2 percentile of their specific sub-fields are granted a place on this distinguished list.
The esteemed CUoR faculty members who have earned this global distinction are Pradeep Verma, Pritpal Singh, Sanjib Kumar Panda, Vineet Kumar, K.K. Mohbey, Vishvanath Tiwari, Rajesh Kumar, Amit K. Goyal, Umesh Gupta, Surendra Nimesh, Gaurav Meena, Basant Agarwal, Kaisar Raza, Nidhi Pareek, Chandi Charan Mandal, and Rajendra C. Pawar. Their contributions continue to elevate the university’s research profile and inspire future generations of scientists.