Minority institutions rise high despite marginalisation and challenges facing Indian Muslims in national education policies
NEW DELHI — The latest National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) list has brought an unprecedented moment of pride for India’s Muslim community. Released by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday, the 2025 rankings placed Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) among the top ten universities of India, while Jamia Hamdard emerged as the country’s number one pharmacy institution. For minority educational institutions, this recognition is both academic and symbolic, reflecting their ability to shine despite long-standing discrimination, marginalisation, and political hostility.
Jamia Millia Islamia’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as it secured the fourth position in the university category. For an institution that has often been the target of suspicion, political attacks, and even police action, this ranking represents the recognition of decades of dedication to academic excellence. “This is more than a ranking for us. It is a message that Jamia is not a suspect institution, but one of the pillars of Indian education,” said Prof Nafees Ahmad, a senior faculty member at Jamia.
Founded in 1920 during the freedom struggle, Jamia Millia Islamia was built by Muslim leaders who believed in combining modern education with cultural values. Its rise in the NIRF rankings reflects both its historical mission and its current efforts in research, inclusivity, and innovation.
Student representative Ariba Khan echoed this sentiment, saying: “We are constantly reminded of our identity, but these results remind India that Muslims are contributing to the nation through knowledge and education.”
Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) are among the top ten universities of India, while Jamia Hamdard emerged as the country’s number one pharmacy institution
Alongside Jamia, Aligarh Muslim University also secured its place in the top ten, standing tall at tenth position. AMU, one of India’s oldest and most iconic institutions, has historically played a crucial role in educating Muslim youth, producing scholars, administrators, lawyers and leaders who have shaped India’s future for over a century. Despite controversies and repeated attempts to portray it as “separate” or “anti-national,” AMU’s place in the NIRF rankings proves its enduring academic strength.
“Our university is constantly in the news for the wrong reasons. But these rankings show our students’ strength, our faculty’s hard work, and our continued relevance in modern India,” said Dr Khalid Mahmood, a professor of political science at AMU.
For many Muslims, AMU is not just a university but a cultural and historical symbol of dignity, survival, and identity. Its inclusion in the top ten reassures a community that often feels excluded from the national narrative.
Away from the overall university rankings, Jamia Hamdard has carved out a reputation of excellence in healthcare and pharmaceutical studies. It achieved the number one position in the pharmacy category, surpassing prestigious institutions such as BITS Pilani and Punjab University.
For Jamia Hamdard, founded on the legacy of the Hamdard Trust, this recognition confirms its reputation as a leader in blending traditional knowledge with modern research. “We focus on combining traditional knowledge with modern science. Being declared number one in pharmacy shows that Muslim institutions are not behind, we are leading in critical fields,” remarked Dr Arshad, a professor at Jamia Hamdard.
At a time when pharmaceutical research is critical to national health and global competition, Jamia Hamdard’s achievement speaks volumes about the contribution of Muslims to vital areas of knowledge.
Jamia Millia Islamia also earned recognition in the field of architecture and planning, securing fifth place in the national rankings. Competing with powerful IITs and other elite institutions, Jamia’s performance demonstrates the range of its academic success. “We are often overlooked, but this recognition tells us that our hard work is valued. Being in the top five motivates us to do even better,” said Sana Fatima, a student at Jamia’s architecture faculty. For students like her, such rankings are more than numbers; they are a source of motivation and proof that their efforts matter on a national stage.
From Unani medicine to journalism, law to the arts, Muslims have consistently contributed to the nation’s intellectual growth
The NIRF rankings are based on a set of carefully designed parameters, including quality of teaching and learning, research and innovation, graduation outcomes, outreach, and infrastructure. The framework, prepared by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, was introduced to provide a transparent evaluation of universities and colleges across the country. While Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) continue to dominate the lists, the success of Jamia, AMU and Jamia Hamdard demonstrates that Muslim institutions are more than capable of competing on equal terms with the best.
The achievements of 2025 cannot be fully appreciated without recalling the historical struggle of Indian Muslims for educational empowerment. After the British crushed the revolt of 1857, Muslims in particular faced severe repression and social decline. In this climate, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875, which later became Aligarh Muslim University. His vision was to modernise the community by combining English education with Islamic identity. Similarly, Jamia Millia Islamia was born in 1920 as part of the nationalist movement, rejecting colonial interference and promoting indigenous learning rooted in cultural pride.
Jamia Hamdard, though younger, grew from the Hamdard Trust’s commitment to blending Unani medicine with modern science, eventually becoming a university in 1989. Each of these institutions reflects the determination of Indian Muslims to survive through education and to assert their identity with dignity.
Despite these historic contributions, Muslim institutions in independent India have often faced suspicion and hostility. Both AMU and Jamia have been vilified in political discourse, portrayed as centres of separatism, and targeted during protests. The police crackdown on Jamia students during anti-CAA demonstrations remains fresh in memory, as does the constant questioning of AMU’s role in society. Yet their academic excellence continues undiminished.
“There is a double standard. When an IIT succeeds, it is national pride. When Jamia or AMU succeed, people question loyalty. These rankings cut through that prejudice and show the truth,” observed political analyst Mohammad Ashraf.
For students, the success carries personal meaning. Yasir, a Jamia law student, recalled: “We have faced police on our campus, we have been vilified on TV. But our rankings show that we are producing lawyers, scientists, teachers, not criminals as some would like to portray us.”
The contributions of Muslims to Indian education extend beyond these institutions. Across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala and Hyderabad, Muslims established schools and colleges that have educated generations. From Unani medicine to journalism, law to the arts, Muslims have consistently contributed to the nation’s intellectual growth. The alumni of AMU and JMI have gone on to hold positions of influence in administration, politics and academia. Yet, national data shows that Muslim literacy rates remain below the national average, reflecting poverty, lack of state support, and systematic discrimination. In this context, the achievements of JMI, AMU and Jamia Hamdard are even more significant, representing not only institutional success but also community resilience.
At the same time, these successes highlight the structural bias that continues to affect Muslim institutions. Funding for minority universities is often limited, representation in faculty appointments remains disproportionately low, and political speeches frequently target them as “anti-national.”
Education activist Shabnam Ali commented: “These institutions survive not because of the system, but despite the system. Their success is a tribute to the will of the Muslim community.”
For ordinary Muslim families, the NIRF results are not just about statistics but about hope. They provide role models for young students who often feel isolated in a society where Islamophobia is rising. Rahila, a student preparing for admission into AMU, said: “When I see AMU in the top ten, I feel that my dreams are valid. If our institutions are recognised, we can also achieve.”
Looking ahead, the challenge lies in protecting and expanding these achievements. Academics argue that Muslim institutions need stronger funding, greater autonomy, and protection from political interference. “We have shown what we can do with limited support. Imagine what we could achieve if treated equally,” said Prof Habib of Jamia Millia Islamia.
The 2025 NIRF rankings have done more than celebrate academic success. They have reminded India of the dignity, resilience and excellence of its Muslim institutions. Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Hamdard are not merely campuses but monuments of perseverance, symbols of the community’s determination to rise above prejudice and continue contributing to the nation.
For India’s Muslims, who often feel trapped between discrimination and doubt, these achievements are a source of pride and confidence. As one alumnus of Jamia concluded: “Our history is long, our struggles are real, but our contributions are undeniable. These rankings prove that Indian Muslims continue to serve the nation with knowledge.”
