PU stops the slide, climbs three rungs in national rankings

After slipping in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for three consecutive years, Panjab University gained three spots to be ranked 57 in the 2025 list released by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. It also had an identical three-place jump in the university category and was placed 38th.

The varsity, which had recorded its worst 16-spot slide last year, ranked in the top-three in the state university and pharmacy categories this year. With a score of 69.92, it was behind only Anna University and Jadavpur University in the former category.

The varsity had slipped into the 101–150 bracket in the engineering category last year but improved its standing to 93 in the latest rankings. It also maintained its position in the 11–50 bracket in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) category.

“It is a matter of great pride that the PU has secured the third position in the state universities and pharmacy lists. The university’s overall, engineering and other rankings have also improved, while it also debuted in the SDG category and sustained standing in innovation,” said Renu Vig, Vice-Chancellor, PU.

The NIRF rankings are assessed on parameters, including teaching, learning and resources. The varsity’s overall score stood at 56.76.

The PU excelled in Graduation Outcomes with a score of 80.37 and Outreach and Inclusivity with 65.26. The varsity also witnessed a spike in placement and higher studies, with the median salary of placed graduates per annum jumping to Rs 5,25,800 from Rs 2,75,000 last year. The enrolment of PhD students also soared to 3,097, up from the last year’s 2,489. In the Research and Professional Practice, the varsity improved its score to 41.58.

The varsity did not feature in the dental sciences list, despite being ranked 27 in the last rankings. It also didn’t find any mention among the top law institutes.

Other varsities stay steady

Meanwhile, the region’s private universities also performed well in the rankings. Chandigarh University, Gharuan, retained its 32nd spot in the overall category with 59.55 points. Chitkara University was placed 78th in the universities category. While Punjab Engineering College did not find a mention in the rankings, the IIT-Ropar ranked 56th in the overall category. Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology was ranked 44th.

Local colleges shine

Local colleges also fared well with Government Home Science College, Sector 10, jumping to 35th place from 51 and GGDSD College, Sector 32, holding on to its 70th position.