India’s latest IIRF ranking for 2025 has identified the top ten engineering colleges in India, reflecting exceptional performance across placements, pedagogy, research, industry integration, future orientation, and global outlook.
After evaluating colleges on placement performance, teaching-learning resources, research output, industry integration, placement support, future orientation and international outlook, the IIRF has ranked the following as the top engineering colleges in India for 2025. IIT Bombay leads, followed closely by IIT Delhi and IIT Madras.
Below are the top 10 engineering colleges in India for 2025:
1. IIT BOMBAY – AT THE APEX
IIT Bombay in Mumbai has secured the number one spot with outstanding scores in placement performance, teaching learning resources and industry integration. Its overall index score stands as the highest among all institutions.
2. IIT DELHI – STRONG PEDAGOGY AND FUTURE ORIENTATION
IIT Delhi comes second, praised particularly for robust teaching-learning resources and a forward-looking academic model. It holds a strong global academic reputation, ranked 123rd in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
3. IIT MADRAS – RESEARCH LEADERSHIP
In third place, IIT Madras is celebrated for its high research output and balanced excellence. It remains first among engineering colleges nationally and was ranked 180th globally in QS 2026.
4. IIT KHARAGPUR – GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
Ranked fourth, IIT Kharagpur’s strengths lie in its industry integration and growing global footprint. In mid-2025, it signed MoUs with TU Darmstadt (Germany) and Swansea University (Wales) to foster advanced collaboration in AI, robotics and sustainable technologies.
5. IIT KANPUR – HOLISTIC INSTITUTE
IIT Kanpur holds the fifth position for its comprehensive performance across all IIRF parameters, including strong placement support and future orientation.
6. IIT GUWAHATI – EMERGING NORTHEAST STAR
At sixth, IIT Guwahati has distinguished itself through solid placement scores and teaching-learning quality. It is increasingly recognised as a leading institution in the North-East region.
7. IIT ROORKEE – TRUSTED TRADITION
IIT Roorkee, ranked seventh, draws strength from its heritage and has consistently excelled across placement, pedagogy and research measures.
8. IIT BHU (VARANASI) – RISING LEGACY
The eighth spot is held by IIT (BHU), Varanasi. This institute has steadily improved its teaching-learning, research and industry engagement to earn its place in the top ten.
9. IIT HYDERABAD – INNOVATIVE AND GROWING
In ninth position, IIT Hyderabad is noted for its modern academic approaches and strong performance across multiple ranking criteria.
10. IIT PATNA – NEW BUT PROMISING
Closing the top ten is IIT Patna, a relatively younger IIT which has gained recognition through improving placements, teaching standards and forward-looking strategies.
The listed IITs offer world-class faculty, research opportunities, and strong industry linkage, making them highly sought after for aspirants aiming for technical leadership and innovation.
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