NIRF 2026 Skill University Ranking: Top Institutes for Industry-Focused Education
While waiting for NIRF 2026 list, students can check NIRF Skill University rankings for 2024 and 2025, highlighting top institutions offering industry-focused vocational training.
While NIRF 2026 is expected to be released soon by the Ministry of Education, students can check previous year NIRF rankings based on the parameters of the National Institutional Ranking Framework. The newest parameter Skill Universities category, was launched as a new section in NIRF 2024. It was later expanded to NIRF 2025 to assess institutions that provide education along with practical and vocational training directly related to the industry.
This is a specialized category and it has fewer number of institutes that meet the criteria to be included in it; therefore, NIRF ranks top 3 of such institutes. The below list provides the top institutes of skill universities according to the NIRF data and the industry-specific characteristics mentioned in the official report.
NIRF Skill University Rankings: Overview
The table provides a quick overview of the institutions based on NIRF skill personality. It includes NIRF 2024 and 2025 rank, comparison along with other details provided below.
| Institution | City & State | NIRF 2024 Rank | NIRF 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) | Pune, Maharashtra | 1 | 1 |
| Indore, Madhya Pradesh | Unranked in Top 3 | 2 | |
| Palwal, Haryana | 2 | 3 |
Top-Ranked Skill Universities in NIRF (2025 and 2024)
The list shares top-ranked universities based on skill parameters in NIRF from 2024 to 2025.
1. Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, Maharashtra
Here are the key details about Symbiosis Skills and Professional University. The college offers courses in engineering, management, and science-related fields. Candidates aiming to pursue B.Tech, BBA, B.Sc. and other details.
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NIRF Rank: Ranked 1 in 2024 and ranked 1 in 2025
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Institution: May 3, 2017, Maharashtra's 1st Skill-Building and Development University (formerly known as Symbiosis Skills and Open University).
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Programs offered: SSPU offers diplomas, degrees, and certificate courses in technical and professional fields, such as automobile engineering, construction, mechatronics, software engineering, computer science and information technology, beauty and wellness, data science, retail, logistics and ports, and architecture.
2. Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- NIRF Rank: Rank 2 in 2025.
- Institutional Background: Established in 2016 under the Madhya Pradesh Niji Vishwavidyalaya Adhiniyam as a private, skill-focused university.
- "Skill Is Power" Philosophy: Centers on education and short programs that are relevant to the needs of different Industries which includes Engineering, Management, and Data Science domains.
- Highly Developed Industry Infrastructure: Offers modern labs for research and organises workshops with machines imported from Germany for practical training.
- International and Industrial Machinery: The university has worked with more than 20 Indian companies and over 12 universities of Germany, thereby providing students access to internships and technical training.
3. Shri Vishwakarma Skill University (SVSU), Palwal, Haryana
- NIRF Rank: Rank 2 in 2024 and Rank 3 in 2025
- Institutional Background: The college was established in 2016 in Dudhola village (Palwal district) under a Haryana State Act. It was India's first government-skill university
- Dual Education Framework: SVSU offers contemporary dual-education structure, which includes standard classroom instructions along with a necessary requirement of practical training, internships, and apprenticeships.
- Multi-Disciplinary Departments: Provides degree programs that are aligned with the industry in four core departments: department of engineering & technology; department of applied sciences & humanities, department of management & research; department of agriculture.
- Centre of Excellence: The university also has a Centre of Excellence. It focuses on improving its practical applications and facilitating the connection between academic teaching and industry requirements.
The Indian higher education system is growing towards building skills, rather than just sticking to traditional teaching methods. The skill university parameter is helping boost the same requirement. Under the NIRF, the institution is reviewed based on industry-centric curriculum, effective training processes, the capabilities of faculty, and overall job prospects. The rankings offer a benchmark for students to weigh down their options based on facilities and standards provided by each institute.
Also check| IIM Kozhikode NIRF Ranking 2026: Parameter Analysis for Past Five Years (2021–2025)
Jaya Gupta is an Education Content professional with over four years of experience in writing marketing and academic content, alongside a year of experience working with an indie publishing house. Currently, she is covering higher education content for Jagran Josh (Jagran New Media), leveraging her academic knowledge. She specializes in covering management, engineering, law, medical colleges, study abroad and GATE exams. She holds a Master's degree in English Literature, successfully qualified the 2024 UGC NET, and has guided more than 100 students in framing effective study-abroad academic essays. Her writing interests vary across education, creative expression, and digital culture.
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