10 Years, 10 Wins: IIT Madras Unstoppable in Engineering,  7-Year Reign in Overall Rankings

Sep 05, 2025

Aakanksha Singh

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For a remarkable decade, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has stood as a beacon of excellence in India's higher education landscape, consistently securing the top spot in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

Photo: The Indian Express

As the NIRF completed its 10th edition in 2025, IIT Madras proudly marks its 7th consecutive year leading the overall category and an unbroken 10-year streak at the pinnacle of the engineering category.

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Dashed Trail

Photo: The Indian Express

Since the inception of NIRF rankings in 2016 by the Ministry of Education, IIT Madras has dominated not just in engineering but across multiple dimensions of assessment. Its sustained leadership in rankings reflects an unwavering commitment to superior teaching, pioneering research, impactful innovation, and inclusive growth.

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Dashed Trail

Photo: The Indian Express

The institute's scores in key parameters such as Teaching, Learning and Resources, Research and Professional Practices, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach and Inclusivity, and Perception have continually placed it ahead of other premier institutions.

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Dashed Trail

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Photo: iitmz.ac.in

Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Core IIT Madras has also excelled in innovation, climbing to the top rank in the “Innovations” category in 2025, an improvement from the second spot last year. The recent establishment of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship aims to foster a world-class ecosystem for deep-tech startups, positioning IIT Madras on the global map as a hub for entrepreneurial universities. The institute incubated over 100 startups in the 2024-25 financial year and filed an impressive 417 patents, underscoring its vibrant culture of translating research into real-world impact.

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Photo: Freepik

Commitment to Sustainable Development 2025 marked the introduction of a new NIRF category focused on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where IIT Madras again led the rankings. The launch of the School of Sustainability in 2023 epitomises its dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable research practices, reinforcing its role as a pioneer in integrating sustainability into higher education.

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Inclusive Growth and Global Outreach Pioneering admissions for sportspersons through the Sports Excellence Admission programme and recognising cultural talents via the Fine Arts and Cultural Excellence programme reflect IIT Madras' dedication to holistic student development. The institute is also the first IIT to establish a full-fledged foreign campus in Zanzibar, attracting students from across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, expanding its global footprint.

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Photo: Freepik

Under the leadership of Director Prof. V. Kamakoti, the IIT Madras community attributes its success to collective, cohesive efforts and a clear vision for India's development by 2047. With a focus on world-class research, innovation, education, and sustainability, IIT Madras is poised to maintain its leading role in shaping the future of science and technology education in India and globally.

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Dashed Trail

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IIT Madras’ incredible journey in the NIRF rankings is a testament to its rigorous academic standards, innovative spirit, and inclusive ethos that continue to set benchmarks in higher education in India.

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Dashed Trail

Photo: Pexels

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