The annual national ranking of educational institutions released by HRD Ministry needs more participants to present a "credible" picture to the public, academicians have pointed out.
The second edition of the NDA government's ambitious project-- National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-- was released yesterday by HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar.
While prestigious institutions like IISc Bangalore, several IITs and IIMs figured in the top 10 lists released under six categories, there were some "surprises" with several "not-so-reputed" colleges making it to the list, way above prominent institutions.
While some prominent DU colleges including St Stephen's, Ramjas and Hindu College did not participate in the process, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm (ARSD) College has been ranked above prestigious LSR College for Women and Kolkata's St. Xavier's.
Other prestigious Delhi colleges which did not apply were Hansraj, Kirori Mal, Jesus and Mary, Kamala Nehru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa, Daulat Ram College and Gargi.
A total of 2,995 institutions participated this time against last year's 3,563 participants.
Academicians point out that participation of more institutions will present a credible picture.
"There were certain loopholes in the ranking parameters in the last edition but the government has rectified them this year. However, if the prominent institutions don't participate they will of course decide the ranking from those who have participated but it does not reflect a clear picture," a senior Delhi University professor said.
"For a school student who will join college in an year or two, if he or she goes by the list, ARSD is the college to struggle for and Stephen's will be a complete 'no'. How misleading is that?" he added.
Dinesh Khattar, acting principal of Kirori Mal college said, "We would have loved to be part of the process but were busy with National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) inspection and the application needed a lot of homework. We will apply next year onwards."
HRD ministry officials attribute the lack of participation to stringent norms under the NIRF.
"There are very stringent norms for those participating in the ranking. The institutions are required to submit an affidavit declaring infrastructure availability, developmental plans and much more.
"This could have been the reason behind lesser participation. Also there are not much institutions which have been maintaining the data sought by us for analysis under NIRF, so they may participate in coming years," an HRD official said.
The NIRF outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country.
The methodology draws from the overall recommendations and broad understanding arrived at by a core committee set up by the ministry to identify the broad parameters for ranking universities and institutions.
The parameters broadly cover: Teaching, Learning and Resources; Research and Professional Practices; Graduation Outcomes; Outreach and Inclusivity; and Perception.
Unlike last year, this time the ranking was released under six categories-- Overall, Colleges, Universities, Management, Engineering and Pharmacy.
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, the first Indian institution to make it to the top 10 in a global ranking, has been ranked at the top. Jawaharlal Nehru University, ranked third last year, has been placed at the second position this year.
Along with the IISC and the JNU, seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) make the top 10 of the list.
The Hyderabad University, ranked fourth last year, has slipped to the seventh, and Jamia Millia Islamia, which was at the 83rd position, has shot up to rank 20.
Delhi University's Miranda House has been adjudged the best college in the country followed by Chennai's Loyola College. Five other DU colleges have made it to the top 10 of the list of colleges.
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