The annual EducationWorld Grand Jury India Higher Education Rankings were introduced in 2019 to acknowledge and felicitate higher education institutions (HEIs) — especially newly-promoted, low-profile HEIs. Special juries of knowledgeable educationists are constituted to recommend conferment of the EW Grand Jury Awards upon higher ed institutions implementing best practices.

To select progressive higher education institutions across the country, we invited nominations from educationists, individuals and higher ed institutions themselves supported by evidence of best practices in 14 categories including extraordinary leadership, campus design excellence, best academia-industry alliance, new-age study programmes leader among others.

Evidence-supported nominations were received from 610 higher education institutions countrywide. To assess the evidence and rank nominated institutions in each category, this year’s Grand Jury comprised eminent educationists Prof. A.S. Seetharamu, former professor of education, Institute of Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru, Mehul D. Mehta, chairman MDM Group, start-up mentor and investor, Deepakkumar Mukadam, former chancellor’s nominee on the management council of University of Mumbai and founder, Academistan, an online faculty networking platform. The Grand Jury duly assessed the nominations and supportive evidence and ranked Top 10 HEIs in each category.

Diversity, Inclusion & Equity Champion
Institutions which promote admission of students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, cultures and nationalities, provide all students equal opportunities and ensure their participation in all activities regardless of culture, language, gender, economic background or disability.

Excellence in Academic Achievement
This award celebrates higher ed institutions which demonstrate outstanding academic performance in the academic year 2023-24, research output, teaching quality, learning assesment and innovative teaching-learning initiatives.

Enabling Start-Up Culture
Institutions which encourage an entrepreneurial ecosystem and start-up culture that highly values student ideation, problem solving, risk taking, and innovation and supports on-campus incubation of student businesses.

International Outreach Leader
HEIs that forge partnerships and collaborations with reputed academic institutions across the globe to expand student experiences, promote free exchange of ideas, faculty and student growth, breakthroughs in knowledge and research, and build enduring bonds between institutions and nations.

Excellence in Skill Development Education
Higher education institutions providing new-age career oriented skill development and education programmes.

Emerging Study Programmes Pioneer
Higher education institutions pioneering the introduction of new-age and futuristic industry-aligned study programmes.

Exemplary Leadership
These awards acknowledge extraordinary education leaders from among low-profile and newly emergent private higher education institutions.

Top Performing University of the Year
A university which demonstrates exceptional performance in the academic year 2023-24 in terms of academic outcomes, research, faculty development programmes, social engagement and innovative initiatives.

Campus Planning and Design Excellence
Attractive and conducive campuses providing contemporary enabling infrastructure which stimulates students to learn joyfully and give their best, are awarded in this category.

Exceptional Community Impact
Awarded to institutions which have meaningfully engaged with communities, at local or national level, to effect positive socio-economic change with lasting impact.

Outstanding Achievement in Professional Education
Institutions providing globally benchmarked professional study programmes such as event management, fashion design and mass communication among others.

Exemplary Researcher of the Year
This award recognises higher education research institutions for innovative R&D which has far-reaching impact and has caught, or has the potential to catch, the imagination of the public and/or industry.

Best Academic-Industry Alliance
Institutions spearheading alliances and collaborations to bridge the academia-industry gap, promote industry internships, enhance graduate employability and job-readiness.

Digital Education Innovation
Higher education institutions integrating innovative digital technologies within curriculums and implementing IT-enabled pedagogies to enable delivery of engaging and effective teaching-learning.

Also read: EW Grand Jury India Higher Education Rankings 2023-24