JNU Ranking 2026: NIRF, QS, India Today, Times Higher Education

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), a premier public research institution in New Delhi, India, continues to excel across multiple ranking frameworks. In the NIRF 2025 rankings, JNU secured the 2nd position in the University category and 9th overall. The QS World University Rankings 2026 placed JNU at 558th globally. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 positioned it in the 801-1000 band. Among domestic rankings, Outlook 2025 ranked JNU 1st among central universities, India Today 2025 placed it 2nd overall, and The Week 2024 ranked it 1st overall. These JNU rankings highlight strong emphasis on research, teaching, and social sciences.

JNU NIRF Rankings 2025

The NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) 2025 ranks JNU as the 2nd best university in India, maintaining its position from the previous year, while its overall ranking improved slightly to 9th from 10th in 2024. Over the past few years, JNU ranking has shown a stable upward trend in the University category, consistently holding top spots since 2023, reflecting its robust performance in teaching, research, and outreach metrics.

JNU QS Rankings 2026

In the QS World University Rankings 2026, JNU achieved a rank of 558th, an improvement from 580th in 2025 and 601-610 in 2024, indicating a positive trend driven by enhancements in research impact and international reputation. This upward movement over the last three years underscores JNU's growing global recognition, particularly in sustainability and academic reputation metrics.

JNU Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2026

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, JNU ranks in the 801-1000 band, consistent with its 2025 position but a slight decline from the 601-800 band in 2024. Despite this, JNU has maintained a steady presence in the global 801-1000 range in recent years, with strengths in teaching and research environment, though international outlook remains an area for growth. Check Jawaharlal Nehru University rankings from the table below:

JNU Outlook Rankings 2025

Outlook 2025 ranked JNU 1st among central universities, a position it has held consistently since at least 2024, showcasing no change but sustained excellence. The Jawaharlal Nehru University ranking trend over recent years reflects stability at the top, bolstered by high scores in academic and research excellence, governance, and diversity.

JNU India Today Rankings 2025

In the India Today 2025 rankings, JNU secured the 2nd position overall, a drop from 1st in 2024 where it had dominated since 2018. This recent shift indicates a minor decline amid increasing competition, but JNU's long-term trend remains strong, with consistent top-2 placements emphasizing its academic and infrastructural strengths.

JNU The Week Rankings 2024

The Week 2024 ranked JNU 1st overall, a position it has maintained for at least the past three years, with no changes observed. This consistent top JNU ranking highlights a stable upward trend in metrics like teaching quality and research output, positioning JNU as a leader in Indian higher education.

JNU Ranking FAQs

Q1. What is JNU NIRF ranking in 2025?

Jawaharlal Nehru University secured the 2nd position in the University category and 9th position in the Overall category in the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) 2025 rankings, released by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. This reflects strong performance in teaching, learning resources, graduation outcomes, outreach, and perception, with JNU maintaining its top-tier status among Indian universities.

Q2. What is JNU ranking in QS World University Ranking in 2026?

In the QS World University Rankings 2026, JNU is ranked =558 globally. This marks an improvement from its 2025 position of =580 and previous years, highlighting progress in areas like academic reputation, citations per faculty, international research network, and sustainability.

Q3. What is JNU Outlook ranking in 2025?

In the Outlook-ICARE Rankings 2025 for Central Universities, JNU holds the 1st position among central universities in India. JNU rank topped this category in recent years, driven by high scores in academic and research excellence, governance, infrastructure, and diversity.

Q4. What is JNU rank in India Today in 2025?

According to the India Today-MDRA Best Universities Rankings 2025, JNU ranks 2nd overall among universities in India. This is a shift from its 1st position in 2024, amid strong competition, but it continues to excel in parameters like academic reputation, infrastructure, and research output.