Ranking Reforms: NIRF Through The Lens Of NEP 2020

This study contributes to the emerging body of literature on ranking frameworks by demonstrating the need for context-sensitive evaluations of higher education, particularly in geographically diverse regions such as Himachal Pradesh (Sharma & Thakur, 2021). This paper underscores the importance of linking the NIRF ranking metrics with policy imperatives to achieve inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive higher education in India (Chattopadhyay, 2019; Government of India, 2020).