hyderabad government degre colleges in NIRF top 100

HYDERABAD: Government degree colleges in Telangana continue to lag in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings released annually by the Centre.

In the past decade, only St Francis Women’s College in Hyderabad featured in the top 100 rankings four times in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. However, it has failed to secure a position in the top 100 over the past two years.

NAAC recognition fails to translate into rankings

Telangana has 149 government degree colleges. Of them, 97 have National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation, and 34 have autonomous status granted by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Despite this, none have secured a significant position in NIRF rankings.

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Officials cite several reasons: shortage of faculty, vacant seats, low pass percentages and a limited number of teaching staff with doctoral qualifications.

In a bid to improve performance, the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) on Wednesday held a meeting with faculty members from 100 government colleges. Officials explained the NIRF ranking parameters and urged institutions to apply.

“Only 40 colleges have applied for ranking so far. Government colleges are only a handful among them. At least by applying, colleges can understand where they stand. With improvements, they can aim to feature within the top 300 in the coming years,” officials said.

The deadline to apply for NIRF 2026 ends on February 27.

Target set for Nizam College, City College

TSCHE chairman Acharya V. Balakista Reddy said institutions must set clear targets and raise standards.

“If we work consistently, within two to three years we can bring institutions like Nizam College under Osmania University and City College under the collegiate education department into the top 100 rankings,” he said.

He recalled that Nizam College has been featuring in the 151–200 band in recent years.

Ranking Data Snapshot (as per NIRF bands)

Between 2020 and 2025, Telangana’s performance in the NIRF rankings across bands has fluctuated. In 2020 and 2021, one college each year secured a position within the top 100, while two institutions featured in the 151–200 band and none in the 101–150 or 201–300 categories. In 2022, no college made it to the top 100, but two were placed in the 101–150 band and three in the 151–200 band. In 2023, one college returned to the top 100, with one in the 151–200 band and none in the other categories. In 2024, no institution featured in the top 100; two colleges were ranked in the 101–150 band, two in the 151–200 band and two in the 201–300 band. In 2025, the top 100 again had no representation, with one college in the 101–150 band, three in the 151–200 band and two in the 201–300 band.

The data indicates a steady decline in top 100 presence and limited improvement in the 201–300 band.