New Delhi: In a surprising turn of events, Hindu College has claimed the top spot in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Rankings 2024, ending Miranda House’s seven-year streak as the number one college in the country. Miranda House and St. Stephen’s College secured the second and third positions, respectively.
In conversation with The New Indian, Bijaylaxmi Nanda, Principal of Miranda House, discussed the college’s plans moving forward and the lessons learned from this year’s rankings. She emphasized that the focus for the upcoming year will be on three key areas: skill development, promoting women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and fostering a broader understanding of sustainable development.
“What we have learned from the NIRF team and the honourable Education Minister is that we need to work on skill development, focus on women in STEM, and bring about a larger understanding of sustainable development. These three goals are the most important,” Nanda stated. She also mentioned the importance of “empathy training” as part of the college’s holistic educational approach.
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Reflecting on Hindu College’s rise to the top, Nanda acknowledged their achievement and stressed the importance of healthy competition. “Miranda House has managed to secure the first position for seven years, but this time Hindu College has paced its game. We need to learn from each other and do better next time,” she said, adding that the college would continue to strive for excellence.
Nanda also addressed the recent controversy surrounding the proposed hike in hostel fees at Miranda House. She explained that while the college had been planning the fee increase to secure more funds for research projects and infrastructure improvements, they decided to put the hike on hold. “We have considered the students’ concerns and want to involve them in the consultation process. We promise to provide help to students who are in need,” Nanda assured.
The NIRF 2024 rankings were announced during the 9th edition of the India Rankings release, where Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Member of State for Education, emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy competition among academic institutions.
He praised universities, institutes, and colleges for their dedication to shaping the future of students with seriousness and passion. Majumdar also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enhancing the education system’s effectiveness by focusing on skill-based practical knowledge through internships and research initiatives.