New Delhi: India’s higher education sector has experienced remarkable progress over the last ten years, marked by faculty upskilling and a significant expansion of research activities. A comprehensive study by KPMG, analyzing the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) data, reveals that approximately 60% of faculty members in the top 100 ranked institutions now hold PhDs. This figure is even higher in specialized fields, with management institutes reporting over 90% PhD faculty and engineering colleges exceeding 80%.
The report further notes that top-tier institutions generally have over 73% PhD-qualified faculty across most disciplines.
Initiated by the Union education ministry in 2015, the NIRF rankings assess institutions across five key parameters: Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR); Research and Professional Practice (RP); Graduation Outcomes (GO); Outreach and Inclusivity (OI); and Perception (PR). The latest, tenth edition of these rankings was released on September 4, 2025.
KPMG’s analysis points to a robust growth in doctoral education, with PhD enrollments in universities increasing by 21% between 2019 and 2025, reaching 118,556. Concurrently, PhD completions saw a significant surge of nearly 49%, indicating improved supervision, infrastructure, and research productivity. Notably, universities ranked between 76 and 100 in the 2025 NIRF rankings showed the fastest enrollment growth, while the top-ranked institutions led in completion rates.
This academic advancement is strongly reflected in research output. From 2018 to 2025, publication volumes surged by 150% in universities and engineering fields, and an impressive 300% in pharmacy and management. India’s contribution to global research publications also grew, from 3.5% to 5.2%. The study highlights that leading institutions consistently convert published patents into granted ones, and the top 25 universities attract nine times more sponsored research funding than those ranked lower, fostering a culture of innovation and industry collaboration.
Narayanan Ramaswamy, national leader for education and skill development at KPMG in India, commented on the findings, stating, “Educational institutions have played a key role, tripling their [patent] filings from 2022 to 2024. This momentum, supported by government incentives and NIRF’s research emphasis, has positioned India among the top six countries globally for patent activity.”
These advancements are also evident in global university rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, India ranks as the fourth most represented country, with 54 institutions – a five-fold increase since 2015.
Anil Kumar Nassa, member secretary of the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), emphasized that NIRF rankings have significantly bolstered India’s international standing, leading to greater representation in global rankings like Times Higher Education and QS. He attributed this success to institutions prioritizing research, perception, and teaching-learning quality.
The NBA oversees NIRF rankings across 17 categories. Participation has surged dramatically, from 2,426 institutions in 2016 to 7,692 in 2025, a 217% increase. The college category saw the most substantial growth, with participants rising from 803 to 4,030 – a 401% jump.
KPMG has recommended a shift in focus within the NIRF framework, emphasizing research quality—including citations and societal relevance—over sheer quantity.
Nassa also highlighted the transparency of NIRF, noting that all institutional data is publicly accessible. Feedback is welcomed, and data remains available on the website even after rankings are announced. Furthermore, negative marking has been implemented for violations of research ethics.
The KPMG analysis of NIRF 2025 indicates that public institutions continue to lead, with IISc Bengaluru, JNU, and IIT Madras maintaining top positions. However, private universities like Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and BITS Pilani are emerging as strong contenders. In the college category, Delhi institutions such as Hindu College, Miranda House, and Hansraj College remain prominent, with Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Kerala accounting for 83% of the top 100 colleges. Medical and management rankings show increasing diversity, with AIIMS Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad retaining their top spots. The report points to heightened competitiveness, where even minor score improvements can lead to significant rank advancements, suggesting that consistent, data-driven performance is crucial for institutional success.
V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, reflected on the decade of NIRF data analyzed by KPMG, calling it a valuable longitudinal view of Indian higher education. He expressed optimism about the next decade being transformative, contingent on bold reforms by the government.
The study further revealed that median salaries for graduating students across institutions have nearly doubled over the past five years, reflecting increased employability and employer confidence. This rise is attributed to better skill alignment, internship opportunities, and industry collaborations, particularly in management, engineering, and medical fields.