Author: Bihar Say | Amrita |

IIT Patna’s Remarkable Leap: From Rank 73 to 36 in National Rankings

When was the last time Bihar made national headlines for academic excellence? Today, it’s IIT Patna stealing the spotlight with a massive leap in the Ministry of Education’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025. The institute has climbed from 73rd place last year to 36th place in the overall category—a jump that showcases Bihar’s growing academic power.

What Makes the NIRF Ranking Important?

The NIRF rankings, released annually by the Ministry of Education, are one of the most trusted benchmarks for higher education in India. This year’s list spans across 17 categories, including a newly added one on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

These categories highlight diverse strengths—from engineering and medicine to research and innovation. For students and parents, they serve as a transparent guide to choosing the right institution. For colleges and universities, they create healthy competition to improve teaching, research, and overall learning experience.

India’s Top Performers in 2025

The top spots remain unchanged. IIT Madras continues to hold the first position, followed by the Indian Institute of Science (Bengaluru), IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Kharagpur.

However, below the top six, some notable shifts took place:

• IIT Roorkee climbed from eighth to seventh.

• AIIMS Delhi slipped to eighth.

• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) jumped to ninth.

• Banaras Hindu University (BHU) entered the top 10.

• IIT Guwahati dropped out of the top 10, moving to eleventh place.

IIT Patna’s Rise: A Game-Changer for Bihar

Among all these changes, IIT Patna’s rise stands out the most. From 73rd to 36th, the institute has recorded one of the biggest jumps in NIRF history. This achievement highlights:

• Stronger teaching standards.

• Improved research quality.

• A growing academic environment that encourages innovation.

For Bihar, this is more than a number. It reflects the state’s capacity to nurture excellence in higher education. As the only IIT in Bihar, Patna’s performance strengthens eastern India’s academic ecosystem and inspires thousands of young students.

Why This Matters for Students and Parents

Education is no longer just about classrooms and degrees. With NIRF expanding its categories to include skill universities, open universities, state public universities, and now SDGs, the focus is shifting towards holistic learning.

This means students in Bihar and beyond have more opportunities to make informed choices. It also means institutions like IIT Patna are competing not just nationally, but globally, in terms of innovation and academic excellence.

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