The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, has released the India Rankings 2025 for the Architecture and Planning category. The rankings assess participating institutions based on defined performance indicators, providing students and parents with a reference for comparing institutions offering education in architecture and planning.
The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee secured the first position with a score of 83.95, followed by the National Institute of Technology Calicut in second place and the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in third place.
The top 10 list features institutions from Uttarakhand, Kerala, West Bengal, Delhi, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, highlighting the geographical diversity of architecture and planning education in India.
Top 10 Architecture and Planning Institutions in India — NIRF 2025
| Rank | Institution | City | State/UT | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Roorkee | Uttarakhand | 83.95 |
| 2 | National Institute of Technology Calicut | Kozhikode | Kerala | 77.89 |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | Kharagpur | West Bengal | 77.38 |
| 4 | Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | Howrah | West Bengal | 68.37 |
| 5 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi | Delhi | 67.15 |
| 6 | Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 65.73 |
| 7 | National Institute of Technology Rourkela | Rourkela | Odisha | 65.72 |
| 8 | School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi | New Delhi | Delhi | 65.11 |
| 9 | National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli | Tamil Nadu | 64.30 |
| 10 | Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur | Nagpur | Maharashtra | 61.22 |
Source: NIRF India Rankings 2025 — Architecture and Planning.
Institution-wise Highlights
1. Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee — Rank 1
The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), located in Uttarakhand, secured the top position in the Architecture and Planning category with a score of 83.95. Its first-place ranking makes it the highest-ranked institution in this category for 2025.
2. National Institute of Technology Calicut — Rank 2
The National Institute of Technology Calicut (NIT Calicut), situated in Kozhikode, Kerala, secured second place with a score of 77.89. It was the second-highest-ranked institution in the category, maintaining a competitive position among India's leading technical institutions.
3. Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur — Rank 3
The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) ranked third with a score of 77.38. Located in West Bengal, it was one of two institutions from the state to feature in the top three, alongside IIT Roorkee and NIT Calicut in the overall top positions.
4. Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur — Rank 4
The Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur (IIEST Shibpur), located in Howrah, West Bengal, secured fourth place with a score of 68.37. Its ranking places it among the top five institutions in architecture and planning nationwide.
5. Jamia Millia Islamia — Rank 5
Jamia Millia Islamia, located in New Delhi, achieved fifth place with a score of 67.15. The institution was the first entry from Delhi in the top five and contributed to the strong representation of the national capital in this category.
6. Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University — Rank 6
The Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University (CEPT University), located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, ranked sixth with a score of 65.73. Its inclusion highlights the presence of a specialised planning and design-focused university among the country's leading institutions.
7. National Institute of Technology Rourkela — Rank 7
The National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela), situated in Odisha, secured seventh place with a score of 65.72. The institution's score was just 0.01 points below that of CEPT University, indicating a very close comparison between the two rankings.
8. School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi — Rank 8
The School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi (SPA Delhi) secured eighth position with a score of 65.11. As an institution focused on architecture and planning, it remains a prominent option for students exploring education in these fields.
9. National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli — Rank 9
The National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli (NIT Tiruchirappalli), located in Tamil Nadu, ranked ninth with a score of 64.30. Its position added another southern Indian institution to the top 10 list.
10. Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur — Rank 10
The Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT Nagpur), located in Maharashtra, completed the top 10 with a score of 61.22. The institution's inclusion extended the geographical representation of the rankings to central India.
State-wise Representation in the Top 10
The NIRF 2025 Architecture and Planning rankings feature institutions from eight states and union territories.
| State/UT | Number of Institutions | Institutions |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | 2 | IIT Kharagpur; IIEST Shibpur |
| Delhi | 2 | Jamia Millia Islamia; School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi |
| Uttarakhand | 1 | IIT Roorkee |
| Kerala | 1 | NIT Calicut |
| Gujarat | 1 | CEPT University |
| Odisha | 1 | NIT Rourkela |
| Tamil Nadu | 1 | NIT Tiruchirappalli |
| Maharashtra | 1 | VNIT Nagpur |
West Bengal and Delhi recorded the highest representation, with two institutions each in the top 10. The remaining six institutions represented Uttarakhand, Kerala, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
How Does NIRF Rank Institutions?
The National Institutional Ranking Framework evaluates participating institutions using a structured methodology. Its broad assessment framework includes the following parameters:
Teaching, Learning and Resources (TLR): Considers aspects such as faculty, infrastructure, learning resources and other academic facilities.
Research and Professional Practice (RP): Examines research output, publications, citations and related professional contributions.
Graduation Outcomes (GO): Evaluates student performance and outcomes associated with completing programmes.
Outreach and Inclusivity (OI): Considers diversity, access and participation across student and institutional groups.
Perception (PR): Assesses institutional reputation and perceptions among relevant stakeholders.
The weightage and detailed indicators depend on the applicable NIRF methodology. Students should consult the official methodology and institution-specific data for a complete understanding of how each score was determined.
Why Are These Rankings Important for Architecture Students?
Architecture and planning students can use the NIRF rankings as one reference point when shortlisting institutions. The rankings offer a comparative view of participating institutions, but the overall position alone does not determine which college is the best fit for every student.
Before choosing an institution, applicants should also consider:
- Accreditation and approval: Verify the programme's applicable recognition and regulatory requirements.
- Curriculum and specialisations: Compare course structures, design studios, planning subjects and available areas of specialisation.
- Infrastructure: Review studio facilities, laboratories, workshops, libraries and digital design resources.
- Faculty and research: Explore faculty expertise, research activities and opportunities for practical projects.
- Internships and career opportunities: Investigate professional exposure, industry collaborations and placement information.
- Fees and location: Compare tuition fees, living expenses, accessibility and the overall cost of attendance.
- Admission requirements: Check the current eligibility criteria, entrance examinations and admission procedures for the relevant programme.
Official NIRF Ranking
The complete ranking, institution-specific scorecards and official details are available on the NIRF website.
Official source: https://www.nirfindia.org/Rankings/2025/ArchitectureRanking.html
Applicants should consult the official NIRF website and the respective institution's admission portal for the latest programme details, eligibility conditions and admission updates.
