University News

Vivekananda Global University (VGU) has secured top positions across multiple categories in the IIRF India University Rankings 2026, including the No. 1 rank for Private Architecture Colleges and B-Schools under State Private Universities in Rajasthan. The latest rankings recognise the university's performance across architecture, management, design, law, engineering, journalism and hospitality.

IIRF India University Rankings 2026: VGU records multiple top rankings in Rajasthan

Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, has been recognised across several academic disciplines in the IIRF India University Rankings 2026, securing leading positions among private higher education institutions in Rajasthan.

According to information released by the university following the publication of the rankings, VGU was ranked No. 1 Best Architecture College (Private) in Rajasthan. It also secured the No. 1 position among B-Schools under State Private Universities in Rajasthan.

The IIRF India University Rankings 2026 further placed the university second among the Best Design Colleges under Private Universities in Rajasthan.

Which rankings did VGU receive in the IIRF India University Rankings 2026?

The university received recognition in several disciplines in the IIRF India University Rankings 2026. Its rankings include:

• No. 1 Best Architecture College (Private) in Rajasthan
• No. 1 B-School under State Private University in Rajasthan
• No. 2 Best Design College under Private Universities in Rajasthan
• No. 3 New Age Private University in Rajasthan
• No. 3 Best Private B-School in Rajasthan
• No. 3 Journalism & Mass Communication Colleges in Rajasthan
• No. 3 Best Hospitality College (Private) in Rajasthan
• No. 4 Top Private Law College in Rajasthan
• No. 6 Best Engineering College under Private University in Rajasthan

What are the IIRF India University Rankings?

The IIRF India University Rankings are annual rankings that assess higher education institutions across multiple disciplines. Universities and colleges are evaluated under different categories, allowing prospective students to compare institutions within specific academic streams.

The IIRF India University Rankings 2026 include rankings for universities, engineering, management, architecture, law, design, journalism and hospitality institutions, among other categories.

Rankings highlight performance across professional education disciplines

The latest IIRF India University Rankings 2026 place VGU among the higher-ranked private institutions in Rajasthan across several professional education streams.

Its rankings span architecture, management, design, journalism and mass communication, hospitality, law and engineering, reflecting the university's presence across multiple academic disciplines.

In its statement, the university said the recognition reflects its continued focus on academic excellence, innovation, industry-oriented education and student development. It also acknowledged the contribution of its students, faculty members, alumni and academic partners towards these achievements.

The latest results add to the university's performance across state-level higher education rankings, particularly in professional programmes where institutions are evaluated separately by discipline.

Acharya College of Nursing has been recognised among the Top Nursing Colleges in Karnataka 2026 by Higher Education Review, marking another milestone in the institution's journey of delivering quality nursing education and preparing skilled healthcare professionals.

Established in 2003, the college has built its academic reputation by combining classroom learning with extensive clinical exposure, simulation-based training, and strong industry partnerships. The recognition reflects the institution's continued focus on academic excellence and practice-oriented learning.

According to the institution, Acharya College of Nursing offers both undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes while emphasising experiential learning through advanced simulation laboratories, clinical practice, and hospital-based training. Students also benefit from a mentor-mentee system designed to provide personalised academic guidance and professional development throughout their educational journey.

The college provides clinical exposure through its parent hospitals as well as affiliated healthcare institutions, including Victoria Hospital, Vani Vilas Hospital, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Spandana Hospital, and Kadamba Hospital. These partnerships enable students to gain practical experience and develop the clinical competencies required in professional nursing practice.

The institution stated that its integrated approach to nursing education focuses on strengthening clinical judgment, critical thinking, technological proficiency, leadership abilities, and patient-centred care, preparing graduates to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare sector.

Acharya College of Nursing also highlighted the success of its graduates, many of whom have secured placements with leading healthcare organisations, including Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospitals, and Aster CMI Hospital, reflecting the industry's confidence in the institution's training and academic standards.

Under the leadership of Chairman Dr. B. Vijaypal Reddy, the college continues to work towards its vision of becoming a global centre of excellence in nursing education by combining academic rigour, practical learning, and professional skill development.

The recognition by Higher Education Review further reinforces Acharya College of Nursing's commitment to producing competent, compassionate, and future-ready nursing professionals equipped to contribute to the healthcare sector.

In a gesture aimed at supporting community welfare and the spirit of seva, Chancellor S. Gurvinder Singh Bahra donated a bus to Gurudwara Baba Deep Singh Ji.

The contribution has been made to strengthen the activities of the Gurudwara and to help meet the needs of the sangat, the university said. The initiative by Rayat Bahra University reflects the values of compassion, selfless service, and giving back to the community.

The donation aims to support the Gurudwara's mission of service to society and its community initiatives. The university said the initiative is inspired by the belief that service to humanity is one of the most meaningful ways to create a positive social impact.

The university highlighted the significance of seva and how these actions foster the spirit of togetherness and collective responsibility for society. The contribution also speaks to a continued focus on the welfare of the community and humanitarian values.

The university said it hopes the donation will go on to help the Gurudwara in its mission, to serve the community, while also inspiring more acts of compassion and social responsibility.

A significant chapter in Chennai's higher education history is unfolding as several of the city's long-standing men's colleges have begun admitting women to their undergraduate programmes, marking a decisive shift towards co-education and greater inclusivity.

Leading the transformation is Loyola College, which opened its undergraduate programmes to women in 2022 after nearly a century as an all-male institution. The move has steadily reshaped campus demographics, with women now accounting for nearly one in every ten students at the college.

Inspired by this transition, two other historic institutions have followed suit this academic year. The 184-year-old Pachaiyappa's College and the 75-year-old The New College have also welcomed female students into their undergraduate programmes, effectively ending an era when some of Chennai's most prestigious colleges were exclusively for men.

The shift reflects broader changes in India's higher education landscape, where many institutions are reconsidering traditional admission policies in favour of co-educational learning environments. Supporters of the move say mixed-gender classrooms better prepare students for modern workplaces, where collaboration across genders is the norm rather than the exception.

The decision is also expected to expand educational opportunities for female students seeking admission to some of Tamil Nadu's most established colleges. Institutions such as Loyola College, Pachaiyappa's College and C. Kandaswami Naidu College for Men have long been recognised for their academic legacy, but their undergraduate programmes remained inaccessible to women for decades because of their men-only admission policies.

The transition mirrors a wider trend across Indian higher education, where several historically single-gender institutions have embraced co-education in recent years to promote diversity, equal access, and inclusive campuses. Education experts have increasingly argued that co-educational environments help students develop stronger interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills while reflecting the realities of contemporary professional life.

For Chennai, the move represents more than an admission policy change. It signals the evolution of some of the city's oldest educational institutions as they adapt to changing social expectations and the growing demand for equitable access to quality higher education.

With admissions underway for the 2026 academic session, the decision is likely to influence future policies at other traditional institutions, reinforcing the idea that academic excellence and inclusivity can go hand in hand in India's evolving higher education system.

Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, has secured a prominent place in the list of the top colleges in Rajasthan with its impressive performance in the India Today Best College Rankings 2026. VGU's continued emphasis on academic excellence, industry-oriented education, innovation and student success in a variety of disciplines is reflected in the latest rankings.

VGU Rankings 

 India Today Best College Rankings 2026 has ranked VGU as:

#1 in Rajasthan – Architecture

#2 in Rajasthan – Mass Communication

#3 in Rajasthan – Law

#4 in Rajasthan – Hotel Management

#5 in Rajasthan – BA & Fashion Design

#6 in Rajasthan – B.Sc.

#10 in Rajasthan – BCA & BBA 

The university has been recognized as the top institute in Rajasthan in the field of Architecture, thus continuing its position as a leader in the field of design and built environment education. VGU also got the second rank in Rajasthan in Mass Communication which reflects its rising name in media education and industry oriented learning.

The university has added to its success with the ranking of its Hotel Management programme coming in at fourth place in Rajasthan and its Law course at third place. VGU also made it to the list of the best institutions in the state for BA (5th), Fashion Design (5th), B.Sc. (6th), BCA and BBA (10th) among others.

The rankings reflect VGU's dedication to delivering education that combines academic rigor, hands-on experience, research, innovation and industry interaction to the students. The university has invested in modern infrastructure, experiential learning opportunities, internships, collaborations with the world, and skill-based education over the years to equip students for changing career opportunities.

The recognition is a testament to the collective effort of the students, faculty members, researchers, and staff, who are dedicated to building a learning environment that is ready for the future, said the university officials. The rankings also reflect VGU's commitment to producing professionals with the necessary technical skills and practical competencies.

India Today Best College Rankings are one of the most popular college rankings in India and are an important indicator for students when choosing a college based on academic quality, faculty strength, infrastructure, placements, and overall performance of the college.

Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, has once again been a favourite choice of students for quality education in Architecture, Mass Communication, Law, Hotel Management, Fashion Design, Science, Computer Applications, and Management in the 2026 rankings.

The new rankings further consolidate VGU's position as one of the fastest-growing universities in Rajasthan, providing a combination of academic excellence, industry exposure, innovation, and career-focused education to the students.

Sharda University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vivo Mobile India Pvt. Ltd. to enhance the synergy between industry and academia and provide fresh avenues for research, innovation, skill building and hands-on learning for students.

The MoU was signed through the Industry Integration & Knowledge Exchange Cell (IIKEC) at Sharda University, Greater Noida, which is another move towards strengthening the bond between academia and industry.

The partnership will help to foster knowledge sharing, research and innovation, internships and industry projects, skill development programs, and a hands-on approach to learning new technologies and industry practices, according to the university.

The collaboration aims to enhance the relevance of education to industry needs, providing students with practical experience and skills aligned with the changing nature of work.

The signing of the MoU was attended by the senior academic leaders and faculty members of Sharda University including Dr. Vivek Kumar Gupta, Registrar, Sharda University, Dr. Bhuvnesh Kumar, Dean Research, Sharda University, Lt. Dr. Yashodhara Raj, Assistant Director, IIKEC and Mr. Vikrant Choudhary, AP & AO, IIKEC.

Dr. Taksh Kumar (HR Head (DGM)) and Mr. Ayush Kumar (Head of Learning & Development) from Vivo Mobile India Pvt. Ltd. and some members of the Vivo team were present.

The collaboration is a testament to the mutual dedication of both institutions to fostering industry-academy collaboration, cultivating future-ready talent, and promoting innovation through joint efforts, Sharda University said.

The university will foster an environment that connects academia and industry, ensuring students have access to real-world experiences in addition to classroom learning and are equipped to meet the evolving demands of the technology and innovation sphere.