New Delhi: A significant milestone in Indian higher education has been marked by a decade of National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) data. According to a recent KPMG report, nearly 60% of faculty members in India’s top 100 institutions now hold a PhD. This growth reflects increasing emphasis on research, academic excellence, and teaching quality across the country.
The Indian higher education landscape is evolving rapidly, with faculty upskilling, higher doctoral participation, and innovative teaching practices driving what KPMG calls “outcome-led systemic improvements” in universities and colleges nationwide.
PhD Faculty Strength Surges Across Categories
The KPMG study reveals substantial growth in PhD qualifications across top institutions. Approximately 60% of faculty members in the top 100 universities now hold doctorates, with specialized fields reporting even higher percentages: over 90% in management schools and more than 80% in engineering institutions.
Top-ranked universities demonstrate an even stronger correlation between faculty qualifications and institutional success, with more than 73% of faculty holding PhDs in most categories. Enrollments in doctoral programs increased by 21%, from 97,947 in 2019 to 118,556 in 2025, while completions surged by roughly 49%, from 16,403 to 24,481. This rapid growth signals a maturing doctoral education ecosystem in India.
| Category | PhD Faculty (%) | Enrollment Growth (2019–2025) | Completion Growth (2019–2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Schools | 90% | +21% | +49% |
| Engineering Schools | 80% | +21% | +49% |
| Top Universities Overall | 73% | +21% | +49% |
The report attributes this growth to improved academic environments, better infrastructure, and enhanced research oversight. Interestingly, while top-tier institutions led in completions, universities ranked 76–100 in NIRF 2025 saw the highest growth in doctoral enrollments.
Global Research Impact Triples
India’s research output has seen substantial gains over the decade. Between 2018 and 2025, publication volumes increased by 150% in engineering and university sectors and by 300% in management and pharmacy. During this period, India’s share of international research publications rose from 3.5% to 5.2%.
KPMG data indicates that the top 25 universities now receive nine times more sponsored research funding than institutions ranked 76–100. These leading colleges are also increasingly converting patents from publications to granted patents, signaling a strong innovation culture and robust industrial partnerships.
According to Narayanan Ramaswamy, National Leader for Education and Skill Development at KPMG India, “Educational institutions have driven the threefold increase in patent applications from 2022 to 2024. Supported by government incentives and NIRF’s emphasis on research, India is now among the top six nations globally in patent activity.”
Ranking Momentum and Global Recognition
India’s enhanced research output is reflected in international rankings. The country now has 54 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026, a fivefold increase since 2015, making it the fourth most represented nation.
Anil Kumar Nassa, Member Secretary of the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), credits the NIRF framework for this global recognition. “NIRF has motivated institutes to focus on research quality, perception, and teaching-learning excellence,” he stated.
Participation in NIRF rankings has risen sharply, from 2,426 institutions in 2016 to 7,692 in 2025 – a 217% increase. Collegiate participation alone surged by 401%, from 803 to 4,030 institutions.
Private Universities Closing the Gap
While public universities like IISc Bengaluru, JNU, and IIT Madras continue to dominate, private institutions such as Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and BITS Pilani are emerging as strong competitors. Geographically, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Kerala account for 83% of the top 100 colleges, with Delhi-based institutions like Hindu College, Miranda House, and Hansraj College leading the rankings. In specialized areas, AIIMS Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad remain top performers in medical and management education, respectively.
Emphasis on Research Quality and Transparency
KPMG recommends refining NIRF metrics to prioritize research quality and societal relevance over mere publication volume. Nassa highlighted NIRF’s transparency, noting that all institutional data remains publicly accessible and that violations of research ethics are now penalized in rankings.
India’s higher education sector is entering a new era of data-driven competitiveness. Even small improvements in scores can lead to significant ranking changes. Experts predict that the next phase of growth will emphasize quality research, academic integrity, and global engagement, building on the momentum of the past decade.
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