IIT Madras Tops NIRF Innovation Ranking- Setting New Benchmarks in Research & Startups

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras stands as No.1 on the Innovation Rankings of 2025. The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), an initiative by the Ministry of Education, is an evaluation system for colleges and universities of India to check various parameters such as Financial Support for Innovation, Innovation Achievements, Research and Innovation Output, Pre-Incubation and Incubation, and the Adoption Level of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy. To ensure quality education, the Innovation category keeps an eye on institutions that promote research and startups, along with innovation.

IIT Madras has promoted research and entrepreneurship for a long time. It hosts the IIT Madras Research Park, which connects the dots between students, startups, and industries. This special ecosystem enables young innovators to convert their ideas into successful ventures and products. The institution also operates a number of programs to enable startups, incubation, and technology building.

IIT Bombay, IISc Bengaluru secured the second, third positions, respectively, with Anna University of Tamil Nadu being the only non-IIT to feature in the Top 10. IIT Madras stated that the focus will continue to be on providing students and researchers with the platform needed to address problems of real life. IIT Madras sets an example as the top innovation hub in India, and it continues to motivate students across the country. You can check the rankings of Innovation Colleges ranked by NIRF in 2025 below