Which is the top Overall college in Chennai as per NIRF 2021?
IIT Madras leads the city list at rank #1.
NIRF 2021 · City ranking
8 Chennai institutions appear in the NIRF 2021 Overall list, with national ranks, scores and cities. Use the list to explore college profiles and compare options.
IIT Madras leads the Chennai entries in 2021 at national rank 1 with a score of 86.76.
Chennai colleges featured across NIRF Overall editions
These institutions appeared in the available Chennai lists from 2017 to 2021. Ownership uses our current classification; each entry shows its latest listed year and national rank.
Top Government Overall colleges in Chennai
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras 2021 · National rank 1 · Listed this year
- Anna University 2021 · National rank 25 · Listed this year
- Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University 2019 · National rank 99 · Historical entry
Top Private Overall colleges in Chennai
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences 2021 · National rank 49 · Listed this year
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology 2021 · National rank 53 · Listed this year
- Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology 2021 · National rank 61 · Listed this year
- Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research 2021 · National rank 75 · Listed this year
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research 2021 · National rank 79 · Listed this year
Ownership not confirmed
- University of Madras 2021 · National rank 47 · Listed this year
- Sri Ramachandra University 2017 · National rank 61 · Historical entry
This page covers published NIRF entries, not every good institution in Chennai offering programmes in this category. An institution's absence does not mean it is a poor choice. Ranks are national Overall ranks, not positions within Chennai.
Chennai Overall ranking history
Explore Chennai institutions in the published NIRF Overall lists by year. Every rank below is a national category rank, not a position within Chennai. A lower rank number is better.
Comparisons use the preceding available Overall edition and the state and city recorded in each year's list. Newly listed means absent from the previous Chennai list, not necessarily a first NIRF appearance. Absence does not establish why an institution is missing, and movement alone does not explain changes in quality.
Highlights and changes in 2021
8 Chennai institutions appear in the 2021 published Overall list. Indian Institute of Technology Madras is the highest-ranked Chennai entry at national rank 1 with a score of 86.76.
View full Chennai 2021 ranking with scores and college profiles
Major changes from 2020 to 2021
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 66 to 49, an improvement of 17 places. Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 51 to 79. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Chennai ranking changes from 2020
6| 2021 rank | Institution | 2020 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 66 | ↑ 17 places |
| 75 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research | 87 | ↑ 12 places |
| 53 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 58 | ↑ 5 places |
| 79 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 51 | ↓ 28 places |
| 47 | University of Madras | 41 | ↓ 6 places |
| 25 | Anna University | 20 | ↓ 5 places |
Changes to the published list — 0 newly listed and 0 no longer listed
Newly present Chennai institutions in 2021
0No newly listed Chennai institutions in this comparison.
Chennai institutions not present in 2021
0Every Chennai entry in the earlier list remains present.
Chennai NIRF Overall rankings 2020
8 Chennai institutions appear in the 2020 published Overall list. Indian Institute of Technology Madras is the highest-ranked Chennai entry at national rank 1 with a score of 85.31.
Chennai institutions in NIRF Overall 2020
8| 2020 rank | Institution | 2019 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Institute of Technology Madras | 1 | 85.31 |
| 20 | Anna University | 14 | 58.10 |
| 41 | University of Madras | 33 | 50.76 |
| 51 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 54 | 48.59 |
| 58 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 52 | 47.27 |
| 61 | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | 64 | 47.03 |
| 66 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 67 | 46.81 |
| 87 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research | 57 | 44.03 |
Major changes from 2019 to 2020
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 54 to 51, an improvement of 3 places. Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 57 to 87. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Chennai ranking changes from 2019
6| 2020 rank | Institution | 2019 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 54 | ↑ 3 places |
| 61 | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | 64 | ↑ 3 places |
| 66 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 67 | ↑ 1 place |
| 87 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research | 57 | ↓ 30 places |
| 41 | University of Madras | 33 | ↓ 8 places |
| 20 | Anna University | 14 | ↓ 6 places |
Changes to the published list — 0 newly listed and 1 no longer listed
Newly present Chennai institutions in 2020
0No newly listed Chennai institutions in this comparison.
Chennai institutions not present in 2020
1| 2019 rank | Institution | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 99 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | Not present in 2020 |
Chennai NIRF Overall rankings 2019
9 Chennai institutions appear in the 2019 published Overall list. Indian Institute of Technology Madras is the highest-ranked Chennai entry at national rank 1 with a score of 83.88.
Chennai institutions in NIRF Overall 2019
9| 2019 rank | Institution | 2018 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Institute of Technology Madras | 2 | 83.88 |
| 14 | Anna University | 10 | 60.35 |
| 33 | University of Madras | 29 | 51.34 |
| 52 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 63 | 47.80 |
| 54 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 62 | 47.34 |
| 57 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research | 35 | 46.32 |
| 64 | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | 68 | 45.58 |
| 67 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 70 | 45.42 |
| 99 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | 92 | 40.88 |
Major changes from 2018 to 2019
SRM Institute of Science and Technology recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 63 to 52, an improvement of 11 places. Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 35 to 57. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Chennai ranking changes from 2018
6| 2019 rank | Institution | 2018 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 63 | ↑ 11 places |
| 54 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 62 | ↑ 8 places |
| 64 | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | 68 | ↑ 4 places |
| 57 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research | 35 | ↓ 22 places |
| 99 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | 92 | ↓ 7 places |
| 14 | Anna University | 10 | ↓ 4 places |
Changes to the published list — 0 newly listed and 0 no longer listed
Newly present Chennai institutions in 2019
0No newly listed Chennai institutions in this comparison.
Chennai institutions not present in 2019
0Every Chennai entry in the earlier list remains present.
Chennai NIRF Overall rankings 2018
9 Chennai institutions appear in the 2018 published Overall list. Indian Institute of Technology Madras is the highest-ranked Chennai entry at national rank 2 with a score of 81.39.
Chennai institutions in NIRF Overall 2018
9| 2018 rank | Institution | 2017 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Indian Institute of Technology Madras | 2 | 81.39 |
| 10 | Anna University | 13 | 62.82 |
| 29 | University of Madras | 64 | 51.52 |
| 35 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research | 35 | 50.74 |
| 62 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | — | 45.29 |
| 63 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 55 | 45.17 |
| 68 | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | 72 | 44.34 |
| 70 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 91 | 44.00 |
| 92 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | 60 | 41.73 |
Major changes from 2017 to 2018
University of Madras recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 64 to 29, an improvement of 35 places. Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 60 to 92. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Chennai ranking changes from 2017
5| 2018 rank | Institution | 2017 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | University of Madras | 64 | ↑ 35 places |
| 70 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 91 | ↑ 21 places |
| 68 | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | 72 | ↑ 4 places |
| 92 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | 60 | ↓ 32 places |
| 63 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 55 | ↓ 8 places |
Changes to the published list — 1 newly listed and 1 no longer listed
Newly present Chennai institutions in 2018
1| 2018 rank | Institution | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 45.29 | Newly present |
Chennai institutions not present in 2018
1| 2017 rank | Institution | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Sri Ramachandra University | Not present in 2018 |
Chennai NIRF Overall rankings 2017
9 Chennai institutions appear in the 2017 published Overall list. Indian Institute of Technology Madras is the highest-ranked Chennai entry at national rank 2 with a score of 73.97.
Chennai institutions in NIRF Overall 2017
9| 2017 rank | Institution | Previous rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Indian Institute of Technology Madras | — | 73.97 |
| 13 | Anna University | — | 56.50 |
| 35 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research | — | 46.45 |
| 55 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | — | 43.07 |
| 60 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | — | 42.48 |
| 61 | Sri Ramachandra University | — | 42.46 |
| 64 | University of Madras | — | 41.85 |
| 72 | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | — | 41.30 |
| 91 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | — | 38.68 |
This is the earliest available Overall edition; an earlier-year comparison is unavailable.
Chennai Overall ranking list
Tamil Nadu#InstituteScore
1 IIT Madras 86.76 0
NIRF Rank Trend (Overall)
- 2017: rank 2
- 2018: rank 2
- 2019: rank 1
- 2020: rank 1
- 2021: rank 1
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Improved by 1 places from #2 in 2017 to #1 in 2021.
Consistently ranked among India's top overall institutions.
25 Anna University 54.42 5
NIRF Rank Trend (Overall)
- 2017: rank 13
- 2018: rank 10
- 2019: rank 14
- 2020: rank 20
- 2021: rank 25
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Moved down 12 places from #13 in 2017 to #25 in 2021.
Consistently ranked among India's top overall institutions.
47 University of Madras 48.66 6
NIRF Rank Trend (Overall)
- 2017: rank 64
- 2018: rank 29
- 2019: rank 33
- 2020: rank 41
- 2021: rank 47
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Improved by 17 places from #64 in 2017 to #47 in 2021.
Consistently ranked among India's top overall institutions.
49 Saveetha Chennai 48.63 17
NIRF Rank Trend (Overall)
- 2017: rank 91
- 2018: rank 70
- 2019: rank 67
- 2020: rank 66
- 2021: rank 49
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Improved by 42 places from #91 in 2017 to #49 in 2021.
Consistently ranked among India's top overall institutions.
53 SRMIST Chennai 47.30 5
NIRF Rank Trend (Overall)
- 2017: rank 55
- 2018: rank 63
- 2019: rank 52
- 2020: rank 58
- 2021: rank 53
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Improved by 2 places from #55 in 2017 to #53 in 2021.
Consistently ranked among India's top overall institutions.
61 Sathyabama 46.60 0
NIRF Rank Trend (Overall)
- 2017: rank 72
- 2018: rank 68
- 2019: rank 64
- 2020: rank 61
- 2021: rank 61
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Improved by 11 places from #72 in 2017 to #61 in 2021.
Consistently ranked among India's top overall institutions.
75 Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research 44.81 12
NIRF Rank Trend (Overall)
- 2017: rank 35
- 2018: rank 35
- 2019: rank 57
- 2020: rank 87
- 2021: rank 75
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Moved down 40 places from #35 in 2017 to #75 in 2021.
Consistently ranked among India's top overall institutions.
79 SRIHER Chennai 44.40 28
NIRF Rank Trend (Overall)
- 2017: not ranked
- 2018: rank 62
- 2019: rank 54
- 2020: rank 51
- 2021: rank 79
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Moved down 17 places from #62 in 2018 to #79 in 2021.
Consistently ranked among India's top overall institutions.
Data source: NIRF, Ministry of Education, Government of India. This page filters the official 2021 ranking by published city and state.
Chennai ranking questions
How many ranked colleges are shown for Chennai?
8 colleges from Chennai appear in the official 2021 list.
Can I compare these colleges?
Yes. Open any expanded row and use the comparison action to review ranks, scores and historical performance.
How is the city filter created?
The page uses the city published for each institution in the selected NIRF ranking edition.