Punjab Excels in India Rankings 2024: 7 Universities Make It to Top 100, CU Leads the Way

National News: Punjab's higher education system has achieved a significant milestone in the ‘India Rankings 2024’ released by the Department of Higher Education, under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. A total of seven universities from Punjab have secured positions among the top 100 universities in the country, marking a proud moment for the state. Leading the list is Chandigarh University, Mohali, which achieved an impressive All India Rank of 32 in the university category. This ranking reflects excellence in parameters such as academic quality, research output, faculty-student ratio, and graduate outcomes.

Strong Performances by Other Punjab Institutions

Following Chandigarh University, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, secured the 43rd position, while Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, ranked 45th. The prestigious IIT Ropar stood at 48th, while the Punjab University, Chandigarh, was placed at 60th. Additionally, IISER Mohali received the 64th rank, and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, achieved the 80th rank. These consistent performances reflect Punjab's rising trajectory in the higher education sector and its growing commitment to academic excellence.

Punjab Misses Innovation List, Excels Elsewhere

Despite the success in mainstream rankings, no university from Punjab could secure a spot in the Innovation Category, which focuses on creativity, research patents, and startup incubation. However, Chandigarh University once again kept Punjab’s flag flying by achieving 36th position in the management category. The survey, conducted under the NIRF framework, included 1,374 institutions across India, covering a wide range of disciplines such as engineering, pharmacy, management, architecture, law, and medical education.

Promising Rankings in Pharmacy and Architecture Streams

Punjab has performed notably in the Pharmacy and Architecture & Planning streams. In the Pharmacy category, Punjab University, Chandigarh, earned the 7th rank, followed by NIPER (National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research) at 9th, Chandigarh University at 20th, and Punjabi University, Patiala, at 46th. In the Architecture and Planning category, Chandigarh University secured the 13th position, while Chandigarh College of Architecture stood at 30th. These rankings reflect the state’s focus on professional education and specialized academic disciplines.

Scope for Growth in Legal and Dental Education

While Punjab performed well in engineering, management, and pharmacy, the state’s institutions failed to make a mark in the legal education category, as no university or college from Punjab appeared in the top 50 law rankings. Similarly, dental education in the state showed a lack of representation. In the medical category, Dayanand Medical College (DMC), Ludhiana, ranked 40th, while PGIMER, Chandigarh, retained its prestigious 2nd place at the national level, and Government Medical College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, was placed at 35th.

Punjab University Recognized as a Leading State Institution

One of the highlights of the rankings was Punjab University, Chandigarh, which secured the 5th position in the Top State Universities category. This recognition underlines the university's historic legacy and its consistent contribution to higher education in India. It also reflects Punjab’s potential to emerge as a national hub for advanced learning, especially if more emphasis is placed on research innovation, global collaborations, and digital infrastructure in the coming years.