The JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER) has firmly established itself as one of India’s premier institutions, earning the 21st rank among all universities in the country, as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, released by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. This announcement was made on September 4, 2025, by Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
JSS AHER’s presence in the Top 25 universities in India for the second consecutive year underlines the sustained quality and growth it has demonstrated since the inception of NIRF rankings in 2016. Over the past decade, the Academy has shown remarkable consistency, driven by a clear academic vision, focused leadership, and a robust research culture.
JSS AHER’s steady rise is a result of balanced excellence across all these parameters.
Among its affiliated institutions, JSS Medical College has been ranked 37th among medical colleges, while the JSS College of Pharmacy in Ooty secured an impressive 4th position nationally. Its counterpart in Mysuru followed closely at 7th place. Additionally, JSS Dental College made a strong mark, achieving 10th rank among dental colleges across India. In the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ranking, the academy has been placed in the 11–50 band, reflecting its commitment to social impact, sustainability, and equitable growth.
A key contributor to the Academy’s rise has been its deep focus on research and innovation. According to Vice-Chancellor H Basavana Gowdappa, the Academy has emerged as a leading centre of innovation and scholarship, having produced over 15,000 research papers in the past five years alone. With an impressive H-index of 133 and over 250 patents secured, JSS AHER has significantly strengthened its intellectual property portfolio—an achievement that not only reflects scholarly productivity but also research impact.
JSS AHER is also one of the first few universities in India to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. As part of this initiative, it launched six B.Sc (Hons) courses in the Faculty of Life Sciences, which align with interdisciplinary and holistic education models promoted under NEP. These programmes have not only attracted high-quality student intake but have also led to strong placement outcomes, further enhancing the university’s national standing.
While healthcare remains a key domain for JSS AHER, the institution has steadily diversified into fields like management education and life sciences, adhering to global standards of teaching, research, and professional practice. The upcoming Varuna Global Campus, which is currently under development, is expected to further accelerate this diversification by hosting new academic programmes that prepare students for a rapidly changing global economy.
With a future-ready curriculum, research-orientated faculty, and an inclusive approach to education, JSS AHER is well on its way to becoming a globally recognised hub of knowledge, innovation, and social impact.
“This ranking is a reflection of our ongoing dedication to academic integrity, innovation, and societal impact. At JSS AHER, we are not just educating students—we are shaping leaders, researchers, and changemakers equipped for a rapidly evolving world.”
Dr. B Suresh, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, JSS AHER
