The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings, released by the Union Ministry of Education on September 4, 2025, have delivered a bittersweet outcome for higher education institutions in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. While some institutions celebrated notable achievements, the overall performance, particularly that of Allahabad University (AU), reflects ongoing challenges in reclaiming past academic glory. The rankings, which assess institutions on parameters such as teaching, research, graduation outcomes, and inclusivity, highlighted both setbacks and pockets of progress across the city’s academic landscape.
Allahabad University’s Ongoing Struggle
Once revered as the “Oxford of the East,” Allahabad University faced another year of disappointment, failing to secure a place among the top 200 institutions in the overall NIRF category for the seventh consecutive year. This marks a stark decline from its rankings of 68th in 2016, 95th in 2017, and 144th in 2018, with no presence in the top 200 since 2019. Despite recent efforts to bolster its faculty and revive its academic stature, AU’s absence from the overall rankings remains a concern for its community and alumni.
However, AU showed signs of recovery in specific categories. In the engineering category, the university made a remarkable leap, climbing from the 200–250 rank band in 2024 to the 101–150 band in 2025—a jump of nearly 100 positions. This improvement reflects enhanced research output, infrastructure upgrades, and faculty contributions. In the management category, AU maintained its position in the 101–125 rank band, consistent with last year’s performance. “The University has shown significant progress in engineering, improving by 100 ranks, and retained its standing in management,” said Prof. Sangita Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor of Allahabad University. “This is a testament to our collective efforts to strengthen academic and research excellence.”
MNNIT Holds Steady, IIIT-Allahabad Faces Setback
Among Prayagraj’s premier technical institutions, the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT)-Allahabad retained its place in the top 100 engineering institutions, securing the 62nd rank nationally. While this represents a slight dip from its 60th position in 2024, MNNIT excelled in specific metrics, ranking 4th among National Institutes of Technology (NITs) for median salary (MS) and 5th for graduation performance and higher education (GPH). “Our focus on quality placements and academic progress continues to drive our performance,” said Ambak Rai, Registrar of MNNIT-Allahabad, highlighting the institute’s commitment to preparing students for successful careers.
In contrast, the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)-Allahabad suffered a significant setback, dropping out of the top 100 technical institutions after ranking 85th in 2024. The reasons for this decline remain unclear, but it underscores the competitive nature of the NIRF rankings and the challenges faced by even established institutions in maintaining their standings.
UPRTOU Shines as a National Leader
A bright spot for Prayagraj came from the Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU), which achieved a historic milestone by securing the 3rd position nationally among open universities. Competing against 15 open universities, UPRTOU trailed only the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, and Karnataka State Open University, Mysore. This ranking marks a significant achievement for UPRTOU and elevates Uttar Pradesh’s reputation in distance education. “Securing the third position in NIRF is a golden chapter in our university’s history,” said Prof. Satyakam, Vice-Chancellor of UPRTOU. “This milestone reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, and administration and will enhance our credibility to attract more students.”
SHUATS Pharmacy Maintains Excellence
The Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS) continued to shine in the pharmacy category, with its pharmacy department securing the 87th rank nationally for the sixth time since 2019. Within Uttar Pradesh, SHUATS ranked 12th among pharmacy institutions, reinforcing its position as a leader in health sciences education. “This ranking is a matter of pride and reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence,” said Prof. Rajendra B. Lal, Vice-Chancellor of SHUATS. The achievement highlights the university’s consistent focus on quality education, research, and contributions to the healthcare sector.
A Call for Strategic Improvements
The NIRF 2025 rankings paint a complex picture for Prayagraj’s higher education institutions. While UPRTOU and SHUATS celebrated significant achievements, and MNNIT and AU showed progress in specific categories, the overall absence of AU from the top 200 and IIIT-Allahabad’s drop from the top 100 highlight the need for strategic interventions. Investments in research infrastructure, faculty development, and student outcomes will be critical for these institutions to regain their competitive edge.
As Prayagraj’s academic community reflects on these results, the successes of UPRTOU and SHUATS offer hope and inspiration. With targeted efforts, the city’s institutions have the potential to reclaim their historical prominence and contribute to India’s growing reputation as a global hub for higher education.
