IIRF Ranking 2026: MAHE Maintains Top Ranks in State and Zone Private University Rankings

The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has once again strengthened its position among India’s leading higher education institutions by securing top ranks in the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2026. The latest rankings show that MAHE has maintained its strong performance at the national, state, and zonal levels, reflecting its continued focus on academic excellence, research, placements, and student development.

According to the IIRF Ranking 2026, MAHE has retained its fourth position among the country’s top private engineering institutions. The university also secured the number one position in Karnataka and ranked third in the South Zone among private universities and engineering institutions. These achievements highlight the university’s consistent performance and growing reputation in the Indian higher education sector.

MAHE Retains Fourth Position Nationally

The IIRF Ranking 2026 placed MAHE at the fourth spot among India’s best private engineering institutions. The university achieved an impressive Overall Weighted Index (OWI) score of 859.01, which reflects its strong performance across multiple evaluation parameters.

This marks the second consecutive year that MAHE has held the fourth position in the private engineering category. The institution’s ability to maintain its ranking demonstrates its commitment to providing quality education and building a strong academic ecosystem.

The rankings are considered significant because they evaluate institutions based on a comprehensive set of indicators rather than focusing only on academic performance.

Top Rank in Karnataka and Third in South Zone

Apart from its national ranking, MAHE emerged as the top-ranked institution in Karnataka. The university’s first position in the state ranking further establishes it as one of the leading educational institutions in southern India.

In the South Zone rankings, MAHE secured the third position among private universities and engineering institutions. The South Zone is known for having several prestigious educational institutions, making this achievement even more noteworthy.

The state and zonal rankings indicate the university’s strong regional influence and its ability to compete with some of the country’s best institutions.

Performance Across Key Parameters

The IIRF rankings are based on several important criteria that assess the overall quality and performance of educational institutions. MAHE performed exceptionally well in all the major categories.

The university scored:

• Academic Reputation (AR): 96.95
• Graduate Outcome and Employability (GOE): 97.57
• Research Outcome (RO): 93.32
• Demand Ratio and Student Profile (DRSP): 92.66
• Employer Reputation and International Outlook (ERIO): 94.44
• Wellbeing and Institutional Development (WID): 96.83
• Impact and Value Addition (IVA): 93.59
• Peer Perception and Alumni Feedback (PPAF): 93.68
• Public Perception (PP): 93.57
• Overall Weighted Index (OWI): 859.01

Among these parameters, the university’s highest score came in Graduate Outcome and Employability, indicating its strong placement record and industry connections.

Why MAHE Continues to Perform Well

Experts believe that MAHE’s consistent ranking is the result of its long-term investments in quality education, infrastructure, research facilities, and international collaborations.

The university has built a reputation for offering industry-oriented programmes that prepare students for modern career opportunities. Its strong emphasis on research and innovation has also contributed significantly to its overall performance.

Over the years, MAHE has established partnerships with universities and research centres across the world, allowing students and faculty members to participate in international projects and exchange programmes.

The institution’s focus on practical learning, entrepreneurship, and skill development has also improved its employability outcomes.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education

MAHE is one of India’s leading private deemed universities and has been recognised as an Institution of Eminence by the Government of India. The university traces its origins to the establishment of Kasturba Medical College in 1953.

Today, the institution offers hundreds of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across multiple disciplines including engineering, medicine, management, pharmacy, dentistry, humanities, sciences, and allied health sciences.

The university has campuses in:

• Manipal, Karnataka
• Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Malaysia

Its sister institutions include Manipal University Jaipur and Sikkim Manipal University.

The university has more than 30,000 students from India and several other countries, making it one of the most diverse educational communities in the country.

Strong Focus on Research and Innovation

Research remains one of MAHE’s biggest strengths. The university regularly undertakes projects funded by government agencies and international organisations.

Its research centres work in areas such as:

• Healthcare and medical sciences
• Artificial intelligence
• Data science
• Biotechnology
• Renewable energy
• Environmental sustainability
• Public health

The institution’s research performance played an important role in helping it maintain its high ranking in the IIRF 2026 list.

Excellent Placement Record

Another major reason behind MAHE’s success is its strong placement performance. The university has established relationships with leading companies from various sectors.

Students from engineering, management, information technology, and healthcare programmes receive placement opportunities from national and multinational organisations every year.

The university also provides training programmes that focus on communication skills, technical abilities, leadership qualities, and industry readiness.

Its high score in Graduate Outcome and Employability clearly reflects the success of these initiatives.

Understanding IIRF Rankings

The Indian Institutional Ranking Framework is one of the major ranking systems for higher education institutions in India. Every year, it evaluates thousands of institutions across various categories, including universities, engineering colleges, management institutes, and schools.

The rankings consider several important factors such as:

• Academic reputation
• Research output
• Employability
• International exposure
• Student satisfaction
• Infrastructure
• Public perception
• Institutional development

The purpose of the rankings is to help students and parents make informed decisions while selecting colleges and universities.

What This Means for Students

MAHE’s performance in IIRF Ranking 2026 provides another strong indicator of the university’s quality and reputation. Students seeking admission to engineering and other professional courses often consider rankings while choosing institutions.

The university’s strong performance in employability, research, and academic reputation makes it an attractive destination for students looking for quality higher education and better career opportunities.

The latest rankings also reinforce MAHE’s position as one of India’s premier private universities and one of the leading educational institutions in southern India.

With its continued focus on innovation, global partnerships, and student success, MAHE is expected to further strengthen its standing in future national and international rankings.

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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