NIRF Rankings 2025: From Bengaluru to Guwahati – Which Institutes Cracked the Top 10?
The researchers in bustling labs of Bengaluru are chasing the next big breakthrough, while thousands of miles away, similar quests unfold in Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai. These cities are home to India’s most prestigious research institutions.
And every year, India’s research stage lights up with anticipation: Which institution will lead the pack, and who will make the cut among the country’s scientific elite? This year, the NIRF 2025 rankings have again answered these questions.
Behind every number on this list lies years of research, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. As the rankings celebrate the country’s top research minds, they also tell a story of India’s growing ambition to make its mark on the global scientific stage.
The Top 10 Research Institutes of India According to NIRF Rankings 2025
| Rank | Institution Name | City | Official Link |
| 1 | Indian Institute of Science | Bengaluru | Link |
| 2 | Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | Link |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | New Delhi | Link |
| 4 | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | Link |
| 5 | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | Kharagpur | Link |
| 6 | Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | Kanpur | Link |
| 7 | Homi Bhabha National Institute | Mumbai | Link |
| 8 | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Roorkee | Link |
| 9 | Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) | Ghaziabad | Link |
| 10 | Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati | Guwahati | Link |
If you are a student, then these rankings are your guidebook, giving you a clear picture of the institutions. These institutes are the battlefield where the researchers tackle real-world problems with groundbreaking discoveries and innovations. From the latest buzzing bee called AI to climate science and space technology, Indian researchers are rewriting the future in these NIRF-ranked institutions.
And if you are a policymaker, then this list provides you with insights such as where India’s long-term investments in labs, infrastructure, and faculty are paying off.
Familiar Faces at the Top
As you have just gone through the list of “Top 10 Research Institutes of India According to NIRF Rankings 2025”, you would have found some institutions that were there last year too. This familiarity is due to the fact that these institutions maintain stability as their hallmark.
In the year 2024, Bengaluru’s IISC has secured the top spot in the list. Followed by another historical institution, IIT Madras ranked second, and IIT Delhi ranked third.
This consistency reveals two most important points. India’s top research institutions are maintaining exceptional performance year after year. New entrants, particularly private universities, face significant challenges in breaking into this elite group.
17 Categories of Excellence – Beyond Research
The NIRF 2025 is not just about research rankings. This year’s edition evaluates institutions across 17 categories, including overall, universities, engineering, management, medical, law, pharmacy, agriculture, and even skill universities. Each category has its own weightage system, but the broader parameters remain consistent: teaching and learning resources, research and professional practice, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and peer perception. The report has signalled a healthy competition brewing in the southern belt of India.
A Broader Impact of NIRF Rankings 2025
The NIRF rankings are more than just a scorecard. They are a policy tool. They highlight areas that need more support, research funding, industry collaborations, and regional balance. This will help the government in policy-making.
For universities, they serve as both recognition and motivation, nudging them toward improving output and global visibility.
Interestingly, outside the IIT-IISc ecosystem, Delhi University colleges such as Hindu College, Miranda House, Hansraj, Kirori Mal, and St. Stephen’s are leveraging research initiatives to climb the charts in the college category. Their rise suggests that research culture is no longer the preserve of the “big names” alone.
The Key Takeaway from NIRF Rankings 2025
With the NIRF Rankings 2025, now we have a list of India’s top research institutions, led by IISC Bengaluru and the IITs, that continue to set the pace. But the rise of emerging colleges and innovative universities hints at exciting possibilities ahead.
For students, researchers, and policymakers, these rankings are more than numbers. They are a roadmap highlighting where excellence thrives and where the next wave of groundbreaking science may emerge. As India’s research landscape evolves, one thing is clear: the pursuit of knowledge and innovation will continue to define the nation’s global scientific footprint.
