NIRF rankings: NDRI secures 2nd rank in Agriculture and Allied Category

The ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) has secured the second rank in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 under the ‘Agriculture and Allied’ category.

The award was presented to Dr Dheer Singh, Director and Vice-Chancellor of the institute, by Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan during the India Rankings 2025 ceremony in New Delhi.

The NIRF ranking evaluates institutions based on teaching, learning, and resources, research and professional practices, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and peer perception.

As a premier dairy research institution, NDRI has made significant contributions to the growth of the dairy industry in India through continuous research spanning over a century. The institute offers quality education and training in dairy technology, food technology and postgraduate programmes. One of its notable achievements includes the world’s first buffalo cloning using the hand-guided technique, which has advanced elite dairy animal breeding.

NDRI has developed over 80 technologies, many of which have been commercialised to improve dairy productivity and efficiency. Its Model Dairy Plant processes over 60,000 litres of milk daily. The institute's innovative approaches, such as advanced breeding, precise milk yield prediction and effective fertility management, have substantially increased milk production.

The institute's focus on innovation has led to the development of synbiotic products, lactose-free beverages and rapid contaminant detection, enhancing milk quality and safety. Mechanisation initiatives, including rapid milk cooling modules and automated paneer pressing units, have improved efficiency at farm and processing levels.

NDRI's key facilities, such as the National Referral Laboratory for Milk Quality and Safety and the Climate Resilient Livestock Research Centre, support cutting-edge research on milk standards, safety, and climate adaptation.

Dr Singh emphasized that NDRI continues to play a vital role in strengthening India’s dairy sector and congratulated all staff members and students for this remarkable achievement.