Anticipating the NIRF 2026 Release
While anticipating the upcoming NIRF 2026 list, candidates can review the NIRF Skill University rankings for 2024 and 2025. These rankings spotlight the premier institutions delivering industry-focused vocational training.
The Ministry of Education is expected to release NIRF 2026 shortly [8]. In the meantime, prospective students can explore preceding years’ results evaluated through the parameters of the National Institutional Ranking Framework. The specialized Skill Universities category was introduced as a fresh segment in NIRF 2024. This parameter was subsequently extended to NIRF 2025 to gauge academic bodies that blend formal education with practical and vocational training directly related to the industry.
Due to its highly specialized nature, only a limited number of institutes fulfill the necessary criteria for inclusion. Consequently, NIRF ranks the top 3 establishments within this classification. Based on NIRF data and the industry-specific characteristics documented in the official report, the following outlines the leading institutes of skill universities.
Overview of NIRF Skill University Rankings
The table below presents a concise summary of these academic bodies based on their NIRF skill personality. It features their respective rankings for 2024 and 2025, alongside comparative insights detailed below.
| Institution | City & State | NIRF 2024 Rank | NIRF 2025 Rank |
| Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) | Pune, Maharashtra | 1 | 1 |
| Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS) | Indore, Madhya Pradesh | Unranked in Top 3 | 2 |
| Shri Vishwakarma Skill University (SVSU) | Palwal, Haryana | 2 | 3 |
Top-Ranked Skill Universities in NIRF (2025 and 2024)
The detailed list below explores the top-ranked universities evaluated on skill parameters in NIRF from 2024 to 2025.
1. Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, Maharashtra
Below are the key details regarding Symbiosis Skills and Professional University. The college provides courses spanning engineering, management, and science-related fields for candidates aiming to pursue B.Tech, BBA, B.Sc. and other details.
- NIRF Rank: Ranked 1 in 2024 and ranked 1 in 2025.
- Institution: Launched on May 3, 2017, it stands as Maharashtra’s 1st Skill-Building and Development University (formerly known as Symbiosis Skills and Open University).
- Programs offered: SSPU delivers diplomas, degrees, and certificate courses covering technical and professional fields, such as automobile engineering, construction, mechatronics, software engineering, computer science and information technology, beauty and wellness, data science, retail, logistics and ports, and architecture.
2. Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- NIRF Rank: Rank 2 in 2025.
- Institutional Background: Established in 2016 under the Madhya Pradesh Niji Vishwavidyalaya Adhiniyam as a private, skill-focused university.
- “Skill Is Power” Philosophy: Centers on education and short programs that are relevant to the needs of different Industries which includes Engineering, Management, and Data Science domains.
- Highly Developed Industry Infrastructure: Offers modern labs for research and organises workshops with machines imported from Germany for practical training.
- International and Industrial Machinery: The university has worked with more than 20 Indian companies and over 12 universities of Germany, thereby providing students access to internships and technical training.
3. Shri Vishwakarma Skill University (SVSU), Palwal, Haryana
- NIRF Rank: Rank 2 in 2024 and Rank 3 in 2025.
- Institutional Background: The college was established in 2016 in Dudhola village (Palwal district) under a Haryana State Act. It was India’s first government-skill university.
- Dual Education Framework: SVSU offers contemporary dual-education structure, which includes standard classroom instructions along with a necessary requirement of practical training, internships, and apprenticeships.
- Multi-Disciplinary Departments: Provides degree programs that are aligned with the industry in four core departments: department of engineering & technology; department of applied sciences & humanities, department of management & research; department of agriculture.
- Centre of Excellence: The university also has a Centre of Excellence. It focuses on improving its practical applications and facilitating the connection between academic teaching and industry requirements.
The Indian higher education system is growing towards building skills, rather than just sticking to traditional teaching methods. The skill university parameter is helping boost the same requirement. Under the NIRF, the institution is reviewed based on industry-centric curriculum, effective training processes, the capabilities of faculty, and overall job prospects. The rankings offer a benchmark for students to weigh down their options based on facilities and standards provided by each institute.
NIRF Skill University Rankings FAQs
1. What is the NIRF Skill University ranking?
The NIRF Skill University ranking is a specialized category under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) that evaluates institutions offering industry-focused education, vocational training, and practical skill development.
2. When was the Skill Universities category introduced in NIRF?
The Skill Universities category was introduced as a new segment in NIRF 2024 and was continued in NIRF 2025.
3. How many universities are ranked under the NIRF Skill Universities category?
The NIRF Skill Universities category ranks the top three institutions because only a limited number of universities meet the criteria for this specialized category.
4. Which university ranked No. 1 in NIRF Skill Universities 2025?
Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, Maharashtra ranked No. 1 in the NIRF Skill Universities category in 2025. It also held the No. 1 position in 2024.
5. Which universities were ranked in the NIRF Skill Universities category in 2025?
The top three institutions listed in the article for NIRF 2025 are Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), and Shri Vishwakarma Skill University (SVSU).
6. What was the NIRF rank of Symbiosis Skills and Professional University?
Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) ranked 1st in both NIRF 2024 and NIRF 2025 under the Skill Universities category.
7. What was the NIRF rank of Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences?
Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), Indore, was ranked 2nd in NIRF 2025 under the Skill Universities category. It was not ranked among the top three in the 2024 list discussed in the article.
8. What was the NIRF rank of Shri Vishwakarma Skill University?
Shri Vishwakarma Skill University (SVSU), Palwal, ranked 2nd in NIRF 2024 and 3rd in NIRF 2025 under the Skill Universities category.
