What to Read in The Hindu Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: ​Ranking pitfalls

Context

NIRF should drive enhancements in both the quality and inclusiveness of higher education.

Introduction

The India Rankings (IR) 2025, conducted under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), reflects the evolving landscape of higher education in India. While older public institutions continue to dominate top positions, the ranking shows remarkable growth in participation and categories. However, ranking parameters such as peer perception and outreach & inclusivity (OI) reveal limitations that can skew results and obscure the true quality of education.

Trends, Growth, and Key Observations in IR 2025

• Dominance of Established Institutions
  • Older public institutions with a long history of academic excellence continued to dominate top positions.
  • Trend consistent with previous years.
• Growth and Expansion of NIRF
  • Participating institutions increased from 3,565 (2016) to 14,163.
  • Categories expanded from 4 to 17, covering a broader spectrum of higher education sectors.
• Ranking Parameters
  • Evaluated on five main parameters:
    • Teaching, Learning & Resources (30%)
    • Research & Professional Practice (30%)
    • Graduation Outcomes (20%)
    • Outreach & Inclusivity (OI) (10%)
    • Peer Perception (10%)
  • Peer perception feedback can be subjective and biased, often favoring reputation over actual performance.
  • Suburban and state-run institutions may be disadvantaged.
  • A review of this parameter is necessary to ensure fair rankings.
• Flaws and Limitations of NIRF
  • Heavy reliance on bibliometric data and self-reported inputs despite third-party audits.
  • OI parameter inadequately measured:
    • Focuses mainly on regional and gender diversity.
    • Omits economically/socially disadvantaged students and students with disabilities, despite their 20% weightage each.
    • Only JNU and AIIMS Delhi scored above 70 in OI among top 10 institutions.
  • Access to higher education remains restricted for marginalized communities.

Recommendations and Need for Reform

• Expanding OI Metrics
  • Include institutional adherence to communal reservation policies in faculty recruitment.
  • Central institutions still underperform in filling OBC, SC, and ST faculty vacancies.
  • Affirmative action is crucial for promoting an egalitarian higher education system.
• Actionable Recommendations for NIRF
  • Go beyond annual rankings and address systemic issues:
    • Regional imbalances in higher education.
    • Shortage of faculty with doctoral qualifications outside top 100 institutions.
    • Over 58% of management institutions report zero research publications.
    • Encourage legacy institutions to mentor emerging ones.
  • Enforce accountability against institutions submitting false or misleading data.
• Overall Concern
  • Without corrective measures, NIRF risks becoming a branding exercise for private institutions rather than a tool to improve quality and equity in Indian higher education.

Conclusion

The NIRF provides valuable insights into India’s higher education ecosystem, but its flaws—including overreliance on self-reported data, underrepresentation of marginalized communities, and skewed peer perception scores—limit its effectiveness. Addressing these issues, expanding OI metrics, and ensuring accountability can transform IR into a tool that not only ranks institutions but also promotes equity, quality, and systemic improvement.

 

Editorial 2: Iran and India, ancient civilisations and new horizons

Context

Leveraging their civilisational wisdom, strategic autonomy, and collaborative partnership, Tehran and New Delhi can shape a new global order in a transforming world.

Introduction

The world is undergoing a profound transformation, described by some as a “time of transition” and by others as a crisis of the Western-led order. The global system, long dominated by Western powers, especially the U.S., faces serious challenges. Signs of this crisis include: violations of international law, unchecked use of force, trade wars, weakening of global institutions, media manipulation, and environmental destruction. Traditional tools of Western dominance — financial control, monopoly over science and technology, imposition of human rights standards, and media influence — are losing their effectiveness.

Ancient Civilisations and the Emerging Global South

• Global South Awakening
  • Countries, especially in the Global South, are refusing to remain under domination and discrimination.
  • Focus on local models, indigenous science & technology, and strengthened defence and securityto chart a new developmental path.
• Historic Role of Ancient Civilisations
  • Iran and India, among the world’s oldest civilisations, have historically shaped global culture.
  • Both valued peace, waging war only in self-defence.
  • Even after military defeat, their cultural influence reshaped conquerors, spreading knowledge in statecraft, governance, literature, philosophy, and art & architecture.
• Evolution and Shared Values
  • Iran: Civilisational values adapted post-Islam.
  • India: Enriched further by Islamic influence while retaining status as oldest continuous civilisation.
  • Shared values: life as a gift, triumph of good over evil, respect for diversity, spiritual growth, inner purification.
• Modern Resilience and Leadership
  • India: Anti-colonial struggle, leadership in Non-Aligned Movement, advocacy for Global South rights.
  • Iran: Nationalised oil industry, resisted Western domination through Islamic Revolution.
  • Both nations embody peace, spirituality, and respect for nature, guiding humanity against structural violence, environmental crises, and social collapse.
• Challenges and Perseverance
  • Iran: Endured economic terrorism, cognitive warfare, and external interferencewithout yielding.
  • India: Faced unjust pressures and hostile measures, yet preserved identity and independence.
• Path Forward for the Global South
  • Iran and Indiacan lead by:
    • Strengthening South-South cooperation
    • Active participation in BRICS and multilateral frameworks
    • Upholding human and moral principles
    • Advancing projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
  • Goal: Build a just, humane, and equitable global order

The Palestine issue

• Central Struggle: Palestine
  • At the heart of a just global orderlies the struggle for Palestine, the foremost concern of the Global South.
  • Exposes the hypocrisy, supremacism, and brutalityof the West.
  • The Palestinian people, standing against occupation and expansionism, are defending the rights of all Global South nationsto resist domination.
• Iran’s Role in Development and Diplomacy
  • Defence of peaceful nuclear energyis also a defence of the South’s right to development.
  • Acts as a stronghold for international law, diplomacy, and dialogue.
  • Counters those claiming to uphold human rights and democracy, yet constantly violate law and order.
• Multilateral and Transformative Initiatives
  • BRICS: Challenges Western economic dominance; offers an independent, participatory, and democratic futureamid sanctions and trade wars.
  • INSTC Corridor: More than a trade route; serves as a civilisational bridge, linking Eurasia, the Caucasus, India, and Africa, while promoting stability in West Asia.

U.S. Interventions and the Emerging Role of Ancient Civilisations

• West Asia
  • The S. and its allieshave sought to prevent indigenous regional security.
  • Support for the Zionist regimehas fueled instability in: Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.
  • Iran, as the region’s oldest civilisation, opposes such interventionsand upholds sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• South Asia
  • The S.has played a role in creating and expanding terrorist groups.
  • Interventions occur under the pretext of fighting terrorism, serving strategic U.S. interests.
  • Power has sometimes been returned to the very terrorist groupswhen it aligned with U.S. agendas.
• Emerging Global Dynamics
  • The world is at a historic turning point; emerging powersand ancient civilisations are redefining global roles.
  • Iran and India, through civilisational wisdom, strategic independence, and constructive partnership, can offer a new model of global order.
• Vision for a Just World Order
  • Order based on justice, shared interests, and respect for human dignity.
  • Prioritizes participation over dominationand equality over superiority.
  • Nations become builders of their own destiny, not tools of the powerful.
  • Iran and Indiaare best positioned to lead humanity toward this vision.

Conclusion

We stand at a historic crossroads. The world is transforming, as emerging powers and ancient civilisations redefine their influence. Through civilisational wisdom, strategic independence, and constructive collaboration, Iran and India can offer a new global model—an order grounded in justice, shared interests, and respect for human dignity. This vision is one of participation over domination, equality over superiority, and self-determination over subjugation. Nations become architects of their own future, and who better than ancient civilisations like Iran and India to lead humanity toward this path?