The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was approved by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) and launched in 2015. This framework outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country. The methodology draws from the overall recommendations broad understanding arrived at by a Core Committee set up by MHRD, to identify the broad parameters for ranking various universities and institutions. With regards to ranking indicators, five areas are considered, with 100 marks each. However, the methodology differs slightly between the categories with regards to indicators and/or weights assigned to them. For each ranking category the separate document describing its methodology is published on the ranking website.

The methodology for overall classification includes 16 indicators grouped in five criteria:

Teaching, Learning & Resources – Ranking weight: 0.30, Marks: 100

• Student Strength including Doctoral Students – 20 marks
• Faculty-student ratio with emphasis on permanent faculty – 25 marks
• Combined metric for Faculty with PhD (or equivalent) and Experience – 20 marks 
• Financial Resources and their Utilisation – 20 marks
• Online Education: Online Completion of Syllabus & Exams and Swayam – 15 marks 

Research and Professional Practice – Ranking weight: 0.30, Marks 100 

• Combined metric for Publications – 35 marks
• Combined metric for Quality of Publications – 35 marks
• IPR and Patents: Published and Granted – 15 marks
• Footprint of Projects and Professional Practice – 15 marks 

Graduation Outcomes – Ranking weight: 0.20, Marks 100 

• Metric for University Examinations – 60 marks
• Metric for Number of Ph.D. Students Graduated – 40 marks 

Outreach and Inclusivity – Ranking weight: 0.10, Marks 100 

• Percentage of Students from Other States/Countries (Region Diversity) – 30 marks
• Percentage of Women – 30 marks
• Economically and Socially Challenged Students – 20 marks 
• Facilities for Physically Challenged Students – 20 marks 

Peer Perception – Ranking weight: 0.10, Marks 100 

• Peer Perception: Academic Peers and Employers – 100 marks 

Apart from the overall ranking NIRF Ranking considers also other ranking lists including top institutions in the following Categories and Subject Domains:

• University Ranking
• Engineering Ranking
• Management Ranking
• Pharmacy Ranking
• Medical Ranking
• Law Ranking 
• Architecture Ranking
• Dental Ranking
• Research Ranking (published in 2021 for the first time).