The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 has been released and the Indian Institute of Science is the only Indian institute to be ranked in top 300 list improving its position. However, several IITs continue to raise concerns over parameters and transparency and have boycotted the Rankings for the 3rd consecutive year.

This year, a total of 75 Indian institutes were part of the Rankings as compared to 31 in 2017 and 56 in 2020. Universities with lower ranks in the QS World University Rankings 2023 and in the India Rankings by the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) have advanced of higher education institutions like Jamia Millia Islamia, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Aligarh Muslim University, and Benaras Hindu University in the Times Rankings, raising more doubts on the process of the Rankings.

Both, the Times Higher Education and QS (Quacquarelli Symonds), are based in London and are known for two of the prestigious higher-education surveys across the world. In recently released 2023 Rankings, India is the 6th most represented country with 75 ranked universities out of which 06 universities have made their debut. The Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences has been the highest ranked among the entrants, ranked at 351-400. IIT Guwahati has been ranked in the 1001-1200 band this year.

Reason Behind the Boycott:

Though IISc Bengaluru, IITs, NITs and other top universities such as DU, JNU, or Jamia top among Indian institutions in majority of the national and global rankings, the THE Rankings has missed these top institutions in the lists since 2000. In 2020, a total of 07 IITs -- Delhi, Bombay, Guwahati, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee, and Madras had opted out of THE Rankings raising concerns over its parameters and transparency.

The institutes, in a joint statement, said, "The seven IITs will not participate in the ranking this year. They will reconsider their decision next year if Times Higher Education is able to convince them about the parameters and transparency in their ranking process". However, IIT Guwahati rejoined this year.

Source: PTI