NIRF Rankings 2025: IGNOU tops list of universities for open-learning in India

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings have been released and in the top open-learning universities list, IGNOU has retained the top spot coming at rank 1. It is followed by Karnataka State Open University, Mysore, in Karnataka, at second place, and UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Allahabad, in Uttar Pradesh, at third.

Notably, compared to last year’s list two new universities have entered the list of top open universities announced this year. However, the total tally of



universities mentioned in the rankings remains at three.

When compared with last year’s list, IGNOU continues to remain at the top, holding its position at rank 1. However, the two new universities that have entered the 2025 list, have replaced last year’s second- and third-ranked institutions.

In 2024, Netaji Subhash Open University, Kolkata, and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad, were ranked second and third respectively, but they do not feature in the 2025 rankings.