Which is the top University college in Kerala as per NIRF 2023?
Kerala University is the top Kerala entry, ranked #24 with a score of 55.50.
4 Kerala institutions appear in the NIRF 2023 University list, with national ranks, scores and cities. Use the list to explore college profiles and compare options.
Kerala University leads the Kerala entries in 2023 at national rank 24 with a score of 55.50.
Kerala colleges featured across NIRF University editions
These institutions appeared in the available Kerala lists from 2016 to 2023. Ownership uses our current classification; each entry shows its latest listed year and national rank.
Top Government University colleges in Kerala
- Kerala University 2023 · National rank 24 · Listed this year
- Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam 2023 · National rank 31 · Listed this year
- Cochin University of Science and Technology 2023 · National rank 37 · Listed this year
- Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram 2023 · National rank 70 · Listed this year
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology 2017 · National rank 35 · Historical entry
Ownership not confirmed
- Calicut University 2017 · National rank 57 · Historical entry
- Mahatma Gandhi Unversity 2017 · National rank 67 · Historical entry
- Cochin Unviersity Of Science & Technology 2016 · National rank 30 · Historical entry
This page covers published NIRF entries, not every good institution in Kerala offering programmes in this category. An institution's absence does not mean it is a poor choice. Ranks are national University ranks, not positions within Kerala.
Kerala University ranking history
Explore Kerala institutions in the published NIRF University lists by year. Every rank below is a national category rank, not a position within Kerala. A lower rank number is better.
Comparisons use the preceding available University edition and the state recorded in each year's list. Newly listed means absent from the previous Kerala 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 2023
4 Kerala institutions appear in the 2023 published University list. Kerala University is the highest-ranked Kerala entry at national rank 24 with a score of 55.50.
View full Kerala 2023 ranking with scores and college profiles
Major changes from 2022 to 2023
Kerala University recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 40 to 24, an improvement of 16 places. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 30 to 31. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Kerala ranking changes from 2022
4| 2023 rank | Institution | 2022 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Kerala University | 40 | ↑ 16 places |
| 37 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 41 | ↑ 4 places |
| 31 | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | 30 | ↓ 1 place |
| 70 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | 69 | ↓ 1 place |
Changes to the published list — 0 newly listed and 0 no longer listed
Newly present Kerala institutions in 2023
0No newly listed Kerala institutions in this comparison.
Kerala institutions not present in 2023
0Every Kerala entry in the earlier list remains present.
Kerala NIRF University rankings 2022
4 Kerala institutions appear in the 2022 published University list. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam is the highest-ranked Kerala entry at national rank 30 with a score of 51.61.
Kerala institutions in NIRF University 2022
4| 2022 rank | Institution | 2021 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | 31 | 51.61 |
| 40 | Kerala University | 27 | 49.80 |
| 41 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 44 | 49.43 |
| 69 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | 60 | 44.93 |
Major changes from 2021 to 2022
Cochin University of Science and Technology recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 44 to 41, an improvement of 3 places. Kerala University recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 27 to 40. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Kerala ranking changes from 2021
4| 2022 rank | Institution | 2021 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 44 | ↑ 3 places |
| 30 | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | 31 | ↑ 1 place |
| 40 | Kerala University | 27 | ↓ 13 places |
| 69 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | 60 | ↓ 9 places |
Changes to the published list — 0 newly listed and 0 no longer listed
Newly present Kerala institutions in 2022
0No newly listed Kerala institutions in this comparison.
Kerala institutions not present in 2022
0Every Kerala entry in the earlier list remains present.
Kerala NIRF University rankings 2021
4 Kerala institutions appear in the 2021 published University list. Kerala University is the highest-ranked Kerala entry at national rank 27 with a score of 50.52.
Kerala institutions in NIRF University 2021
4| 2021 rank | Institution | 2020 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Kerala University | 23 | 50.52 |
| 31 | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | 30 | 49.30 |
| 44 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 62 | 47.37 |
| 60 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | 54 | 44.13 |
Major changes from 2020 to 2021
Cochin University of Science and Technology recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 62 to 44, an improvement of 18 places. Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 54 to 60. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Kerala ranking changes from 2020
4| 2021 rank | Institution | 2020 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 62 | ↑ 18 places |
| 60 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | 54 | ↓ 6 places |
| 27 | Kerala University | 23 | ↓ 4 places |
| 31 | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | 30 | ↓ 1 place |
Changes to the published list — 0 newly listed and 0 no longer listed
Newly present Kerala institutions in 2021
0No newly listed Kerala institutions in this comparison.
Kerala institutions not present in 2021
0Every Kerala entry in the earlier list remains present.
Kerala NIRF University rankings 2020
4 Kerala institutions appear in the 2020 published University list. Kerala University is the highest-ranked Kerala entry at national rank 23 with a score of 52.35.
Kerala institutions in NIRF University 2020
4| 2020 rank | Institution | 2019 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Kerala University | 22 | 52.35 |
| 30 | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | 30 | 50.93 |
| 54 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | 64 | 46.37 |
| 62 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 65 | 45.02 |
Major changes from 2019 to 2020
Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 64 to 54, an improvement of 10 places. Kerala University recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 22 to 23. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Kerala ranking changes from 2019
3| 2020 rank | Institution | 2019 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | 64 | ↑ 10 places |
| 62 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 65 | ↑ 3 places |
| 23 | Kerala University | 22 | ↓ 1 place |
Changes to the published list — 0 newly listed and 0 no longer listed
Newly present Kerala institutions in 2020
0No newly listed Kerala institutions in this comparison.
Kerala institutions not present in 2020
0Every Kerala entry in the earlier list remains present.
Kerala NIRF University rankings 2019
4 Kerala institutions appear in the 2019 published University list. Kerala University is the highest-ranked Kerala entry at national rank 22 with a score of 51.21.
Kerala institutions in NIRF University 2019
4| 2019 rank | Institution | 2018 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Kerala University | 30 | 51.21 |
| 30 | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | 34 | 48.08 |
| 64 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | 73 | 42.22 |
| 65 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 69 | 41.42 |
Major changes from 2018 to 2019
Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 73 to 64, an improvement of 9 places. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Kerala ranking changes from 2018
3| 2019 rank | Institution | 2018 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | 73 | ↑ 9 places |
| 22 | Kerala University | 30 | ↑ 8 places |
| 30 | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | 34 | ↑ 4 places |
Changes to the published list — 0 newly listed and 0 no longer listed
Newly present Kerala institutions in 2019
0No newly listed Kerala institutions in this comparison.
Kerala institutions not present in 2019
0Every Kerala entry in the earlier list remains present.
Kerala NIRF University rankings 2018
4 Kerala institutions appear in the 2018 published University list. Kerala University is the highest-ranked Kerala entry at national rank 30 with a score of 47.72.
Kerala institutions in NIRF University 2018
4| 2018 rank | Institution | 2017 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Kerala University | 29 | 47.72 |
| 34 | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | — | 46.56 |
| 69 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 86 | 40.53 |
| 73 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | — | 40.06 |
Major changes from 2017 to 2018
Cochin University of Science and Technology recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 86 to 69, an improvement of 17 places. Kerala University recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 29 to 30. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Kerala ranking changes from 2017
2| 2018 rank | Institution | 2017 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 86 | ↑ 17 places |
| 30 | Kerala University | 29 | ↓ 1 place |
Changes to the published list — 2 newly listed and 3 no longer listed
Newly present Kerala institutions in 2018
2| 2018 rank | Institution | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | 46.56 | Newly present |
| 73 | Calicut University, Thenhipalem, Malapuram | 40.06 | Newly present |
Kerala institutions not present in 2018
3| 2017 rank | Institution | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology | Not present in 2018 |
| 57 | Calicut University | Not present in 2018 |
| 67 | Mahatma Gandhi Unversity | Not present in 2018 |
Kerala NIRF University rankings 2017
5 Kerala institutions appear in the 2017 published University list. Kerala University is the highest-ranked Kerala entry at national rank 29 with a score of 43.95.
Kerala institutions in NIRF University 2017
5| 2017 rank | Institution | 2016 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Kerala University | — | 43.95 |
| 35 | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology | 8 | 43.06 |
| 57 | Calicut University | — | 38.45 |
| 67 | Mahatma Gandhi Unversity | — | 36.79 |
| 86 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | — | 35.42 |
Major changes from 2016 to 2017
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 8 to 35. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.
Biggest Kerala ranking changes from 2016
1| 2017 rank | Institution | 2016 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology | 8 | ↓ 27 places |
Changes to the published list — 4 newly listed and 1 no longer listed
Newly present Kerala institutions in 2017
4| 2017 rank | Institution | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Kerala University | 43.95 | Newly present |
| 57 | Calicut University | 38.45 | Newly present |
| 67 | Mahatma Gandhi Unversity | 36.79 | Newly present |
| 86 | Cochin University of Science and Technology | 35.42 | Newly present |
Kerala institutions not present in 2017
1| 2016 rank | Institution | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Cochin Unviersity Of Science & Technology | Not present in 2017 |
Kerala NIRF University rankings 2016
2 Kerala institutions appear in the 2016 published University list. Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology is the highest-ranked Kerala entry at national rank 8 with a score of 78.82.
Kerala institutions in NIRF University 2016
2| 2016 rank | Institution | Previous rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology | — | 78.82 |
| 30 | Cochin Unviersity Of Science & Technology | — | 66.35 |
This is the earliest available University edition; an earlier-year comparison is unavailable.
Kerala University ranking list
Avg score 51.96
#InstituteScore
24 Kerala University 55.50 16
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2019: rank 22
- 2020: rank 23
- 2021: rank 27
- 2022: rank 40
- 2023: rank 24
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Moved down 2 places from #22 in 2019 to #24 in 2023.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
31 Mahatma Gandhi University 53.44 1
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2019: rank 30
- 2020: rank 30
- 2021: rank 31
- 2022: rank 30
- 2023: rank 31
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Moved down 1 places from #30 in 2019 to #31 in 2023.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
37 CUSAT Kochi 52.33 4
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2019: rank 65
- 2020: rank 62
- 2021: rank 44
- 2022: rank 41
- 2023: rank 37
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Improved by 28 places from #65 in 2019 to #37 in 2023.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
70 Calicut University Malappuram 46.56 1
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2019: rank 64
- 2020: rank 54
- 2021: rank 60
- 2022: rank 69
- 2023: rank 70
Lower rank is better.
Highlights
Compare with another college
View college profile
Moved down 6 places from #64 in 2019 to #70 in 2023.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
Data source: NIRF, Ministry of Education, Government of India. Ownership labels apply only to institutions classified in the NIRFRank database.
Kerala ranking questions
Does this include private colleges?
Yes. Private and government labels appear when the institution is resolved in NIRFRank's curated registry.
How many Kerala colleges are in the NIRF 2023 list?
4 ranked colleges are shown across 4 cities in this state.
What does the rank trend inside each row show?
Open any row to see that college's NIRF University rank across the latest available editions.