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AKTU Rankings 2026: NIRF, NAAC, Placement Comparisons and More
location
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Updated on 11 March 2026

The AKTU college ecosystem plays a major role in engineering education across Uttar Pradesh. The university has consistently secured high rankings and grading scores. AKTU NIRF Ranking 2025 was 39 for the Faculty of Architecture and Planning. Several colleges/departments were positioned in NIRF 2025 high ranking bands. Further, AKTU is a NAAC A+ graded college. It is a pure affiliating university — it does not conduct teaching itself but affiliates and regulates approximately 800 colleges across Uttar Pradesh offering engineering, architecture, pharmacy, hotel management, MBA, and MCA programmes.  

 

Besides AKTU ranking, students often compare colleges based on placements, fees, faculty strength, infrastructure, and graduate outcomes. Government engineering colleges and institutes like KNIT operate within the AKTU academic framework, while private colleges such as GL Bajaj are fully affiliated and widely compared during admissions. Find complete details about AKTU NIRF Rankings 2025, including faculty rankings, affiliate college rankings, NAAC grading and more. 

Table of Contents

AKTU NIRF Rankings 2026

The Architecture and Planning rank reflects AKTU's Faculty of Architecture and Planning, which conducts direct academic programmes. AKTU institutes appear in top NIRF rankings. Take a look at its architecture, engineering and pharmacy NIRF 2025 rankings below:

Architecture and Planning

S.No.

Name of Institute

Rank

1

Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Lucknow

39

Engineering

S.No.

Name of Institute

Rank

1

Noida Institute of Engineering & Technology, Gr. Noida

Band 101–150

2

GL Bajaj Institute of Technology & Management, Gr. Noida

Band 151–200

3

KIET Group of Institutions, Ghaziabad

Band 151–200

4

Galgotia's College of Engineering & Technology, Gr. Noida

Band 201–300

5

JSS Academy of Technical Education, Noida

Band 201–300

Pharmacy

S.No.

Name of Institute

Rank

1

Noida Institute of Engineering Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Gr. Noida

37

2

KIET Group of Institutions, Ghaziabad

71

3

Lloyd Institute of Management and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Gr. Noida

Band 102–125

AKTU Colleges Fee Ranges 2026

University evaluation frameworks help students compare institutional quality within India’s competitive technical education sector. They allow stakeholders to assess institutional performance using standardized metrics. While the rankings present an opportunity for objective analyses, other details helps make the right choice for each individual student. The table below presents annual tuition ranges for commonly compared engineering institutions in Uttar Pradesh.

College NameLocationApprox. Annual Fees
Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET), LucknowLucknow₹80,000–₹95,000
Kamla Nehru Institute of Technology (KNIT)Sultanpur₹75,000–₹90,000
Rajkiya Engineering College (REC), SonbhadraSonbhadra₹70,000–₹80,000
Rajkiya Engineering College (REC), BijnorBijnor₹70,000–₹80,000
Rajkiya Engineering College (REC), MainpuriMainpuri₹70,000–₹80,000
Rajkiya Engineering College (REC), KannaujKannauj₹70,000–₹80,000
GL Bajaj Institute of Technology & ManagementGreater Noida₹1,20,000–₹1,40,000
ABES Engineering CollegeGhaziabad₹1,10,000–₹1,30,000
KIET Group of InstitutionsGhaziabad₹1,30,000–₹1,50,000
Bundelkhand Institute of Engineering & Technology (BIET)Jhansi₹80,000–₹95,000
SRM Institute of Science & Technology, NCR CampusModinagar₹1,50,000–₹1,80,000

AKTU NAAC Grading

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University secured an A+ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2025. This improvement reflects the university’s continuous efforts to enhance academic quality, institutional governance, research output, and infrastructure.

Previously accredited with an ‘A’ grade, AKTU underwent a re-evaluation process in 2025, during which its performance across key parameters such as teaching-learning processes, faculty credentials, innovation, student support systems, and overall institutional development was reassessed. Based on this comprehensive review, NAAC upgraded the university’s rating to A+, indicating a higher level of excellence and adherence to quality standards in higher education.

This enhanced accreditation not only strengthens AKTU’s academic reputation but also increases its credibility among students, faculty, and recruiters. It further positions the university more competitively at both national and institutional levels, while opening up better opportunities for funding, collaborations, and student placements.

NAAC Grading of AKTU Affiliated Engineering Colleges

AKTU affiliated engineering colleges boast diverse NAAC gradings, ranging from A++ to B++. Some of the top rated colleges include Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College, Hindustan College of Science & Technology and KIET Group of Institutions among others. Here is an overview of NAAC gradings of different AKTU affiliated engineering colleges:

College Name

CGPA

Grade

Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College

3.53

A++

School of Management Sciences, Lucknow

3.45

A+

Institute of Technology & Science

3.34

A+

Hindustan College of Science & Technology, Mathura

3.34

A+

Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur

3.34

A+

G.L. Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management

3.33

A+

KIET Group of Institutions

3.32

A+

Greater Noida Institute of Technology

3.31

A+

Inderprastha Engineering College

3.30

A+

Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology

3.24

A

IIMT College of Engineering

3.24

A

ABES Engineering College

3.24

A

Kashi Institute of Technology

3.22

A

Kanpur Institute of Technology

3.20

A

School of Management Sciences (Varanasi)

3.17

A

Dronacharya Group of Institution

3.14

A

Raj Kumar Goel Institute of Technology

3.10

A

Mangalmay Institute of Management and Technology

3.05

A

Kanpur Institute of Technology and Pharmacy

3.04

A

Moradabad Institute of Technology

3.03

A

Meerut Institute of Technology

3.02

A

Mangalmay Institute of Engineering and Technology

2.90

B++

Kashi Institute of Pharmacy

2.85

B++

Allenhouse Institute of Technology

2.80

B++

Innovative College of Pharmacy

2.76

B++

Eshan College of Engineering

2.74

B+

R.D. Engineering College

2.57

B+

IMS Engineering College

2.56

B+

Dr. K.N. Modi Institute of Engineering and Technology

2.17

B

Dr. K.N. Modi Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research

2.15

B

AKTU Ranking Engineering Colleges: Placement Rates

Performance assessments of AKTU-affiliated engineering colleges evaluate factors such as teaching quality, infrastructure, faculty expertise, research output, and placement performance. These benchmarks help students compare institutions based on academics, industry exposure, and career outcomes. Colleges continuously upgrade facilities, strengthen industry collaborations, and enhance skill-based training to remain competitive.

Understanding these performance indicators enables students to identify institutions that offer strong academic support, practical learning, and placement opportunities aligned with industry needs. The following table lists top-performing AKTU-affiliated engineering colleges for 2026 based on recent academic and placement trends.

RankCollege NameCityStudent-Faculty RatioPlacement Rate
1Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET)Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh18:180%
2Kamla Nehru Institute of Technology (KNIT)Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh20:175%
3GL Bajaj Institute of Technology and ManagementGreater Noida, Uttar Pradesh22:170%
4ABES Engineering CollegeGhaziabad, Uttar Pradesh25:168%
5KIET Group of InstitutionsGhaziabad, Uttar Pradesh23:172%
6SRM Institute of Science and TechnologyModinagar, Uttar Pradesh21:178%
7Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering CollegeGhaziabad, Uttar Pradesh24:165%
8Galgotias College of Engineering and TechnologyGreater Noida, Uttar Pradesh26:162%
9United College of Engineering & ResearchGreater Noida, Uttar Pradesh28:160%
10PSIT College of EngineeringKanpur, Uttar Pradesh27:158%
11JSS Academy of Technical EducationNoida, Uttar Pradesh29:155%

Factors Influencing AKTU Rankings

Engineering education plays a central role in India’s technological and industrial development, and institutions connected with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) contribute significantly to technical talent across Uttar Pradesh. With growing demand for engineers in IT, manufacturing, infrastructure, and telecommunications, selecting the right college is critical for long-term career growth. While AKTU conducts academic evaluations and monitors affiliated institutions, it does not publish an official public ranking list similar to NIRF. Instead, students rely on comparative indicators such as faculty strength, infrastructure, placements, and academic reputation. Government colleges often perform strongly due to experienced faculty and infrastructure, while private NCR institutions compete through industry partnerships and training programs. The table below presents major engineering institutions connected with AKTU admissions or ecosystem, along with indicative academic and placement trends. 

Ranking FactorDescriptionWeightage
Teaching, Learning & ResourcesCore academic environment including student-faculty ratio, classroom facilities, and pedagogical innovations.20%
Faculty QualificationsPercentage of faculty with doctoral degrees and average years of relevant teaching experience.5%
Research PublicationsPapers published in UGC-approved/SCOPUS journals, citation metrics, and faculty h-index scores.10%
Professional PracticeRevenue from consultancy projects and practical research application in industry settings.5%
Placement PerformanceCampus placement percentage and median salary packages offered to graduating students.12%
Higher Studies & EntrepreneurshipStudents qualifying for higher education and startups incubated through college TBI centers.8%
Outreach & InclusivityRepresentation of SC/ST/OBC/minority students and women enrollment across all programs.10%
Perception SurveyReputation scores from academic peers, employers, and public visibility in Uttar Pradesh.10%
Infrastructure & LabsModern computing centers, specialized laboratories, and physical facility maintenance standards.6%
Library ResourcesDigital subscriptions, book-to-student ratio, and access to research databases.2%
Industry CollaborationMoUs with corporations, industrial visits, and guest lectures by industry experts.4%
Innovation & StartupsIPR filings, innovations developed, and entrepreneurship support through incubation centers.3%
Student DevelopmentSoft skills training, technical workshops, and cultural/sports facility utilization metrics.3%
Academic ResultsUniversity examination pass percentages and distinction rates in final year results.2%

AKTU Ranking: A Guide for Students 2026

Choosing the right engineering college under Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) requires navigating admission processes and information. Making an informed decision requires looking past the rankings to understand what these metrics mean for your engineering branch and goals. You should evaluate these factors when interpreting AKTU rankings for your college selection.

  • Verify Graduate Outcomes Data: Focus on the 20% Graduate Outcomes parameter by comparing placement statistics. IET Lucknow scores 80%, while colleges like United College show 60%, indicating variation in recruitment.
  • Calculate Total Cost of Education: Compare annual fees ranging from ₹75,000 at government RECs in Sonbhadra and Bijnor to ₹1.6 lakhs at SRM Modinagar and ₹1.4 lakhs at KIET Ghaziabad. Factor in hostel and living costs in NCR versus smaller cities like Sultanpur where KNIT charges ₹80,000.
  • Assess Research and Professional Practice: Consider the 25% weightage for research output by investigating faculty publications and funded projects. This indicates research opportunities at institutes like IET Lucknow versus teaching-focused institutions.
  • Evaluate Industry Interaction Scores: Check the Industry Interaction criteria (10% weightage) through guest lectures, sponsored labs, and internship partnerships. This is relevant for IT and CS branches where GL Bajaj Greater Noida and ABES Ghaziabad maintain corporate connections.
  • Review Infrastructure Beyond Basic Labs: Look beyond the 8% Infrastructure weightage to verify specialized facilities for your branch—such as manufacturing labs for Mechanical or AI/ML computing clusters for Computer Science—rather than accepting generic claims.
  • Factor Location and Accessibility: Weigh the advantages of Tier-2 cities like Kanpur and Lucknow offering lower living costs against NCR locations like Greater Noida and Ghaziabad providing proximity to Delhi's corporate hubs but requiring higher budgets.
  • Investigate Faculty Qualifications: Examine the 12% weightage for Faculty Qualifications by verifying the percentage of PhD holders and industry-experienced professors in your department. This varies between government colleges and private institutions.
  • Check Outreach and Inclusivity Programs: Assess the 15% Outreach & Inclusivity weightage through scholarships, rural outreach programs, and diversity initiatives. This indicates a college's commitment to social responsibility.
  • Validate Program-Specific Accreditation: Confirm NBA accreditation status for your B.Tech branch rather than relying on institutional rankings. Some lower-ranked colleges may hold accreditation for programs while higher-ranked ones might lack recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NAAC grade of AKTU?

AKTU is a NAAC A+ graded university. The university upgraded from an A grade to A+ grade in 2025 after a revaluation round. This established AKTU as a prominent technical institution in Uttar Pradesh. 

Which is better - NAAC A or NAAC A++?

NAAC A++ is higher than NAAC A and represents the top level of accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. It indicates standout performance in academics, research, infrastructure, and overall quality. An A grade is good, but A++ reflects superior institutional excellence.

What is AKTU NIRF Ranking 2025?

AKTU’s Faculty of Architecture and Planning achieves an NIRF 2025 ranking of 39. Several AKTU Engineering colleges are ranked in Band 100-150, 151-200 and 201-300. Further, AKTU Pharmacy colleges are ranked in Band 102-125.

Which AKTU college offers the lowest fees among top performers?

Rajkiya Engineering College in Sonbhadra, Bijnor, Mainpuri and Kannauj charge ₹75,000 annually. You pay less at these institutions compared to HBTU's ₹1.4 Lakhs or SRM Institute's ₹1.6 Lakhs. Further, Kamla Nehru Institute of Technology charges ₹80,000 while Institute of Engineering and Technology charges ₹90,000.

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