Transformation of national ranking score for positioning higher education institutions in international ranking – a case on India

Purpose - The study intends to evaluate first the performance of Indian institutions ranked in the National Institutional Ranking Framework 2019. Second, it compares the performance of Indian institutions with international rankings. Third, it spotlights a model for predicting the criteria that will improve these institutions' national and international rankings. Design/methodology/approach - The cluster analysis has been undertaken to group the sample of 100 institutions into three groups. Further, discriminant analysis has been performed to uncover the criteria that cause significant variations in the ranking. Third, a comparative study is conducted on the international ranking parameters to explore the factors responsible for their lower rank in the global ranking. Findings - The results reveal that most institutions are low-performing for “research and professional practice” and “peer perception” criteria. Meanwhile, the performance of top-ranked institutions is unsatisfactory on the “outreach and inclusivity” criterion. The study also finds that the national ranking of Indian institutions is significantly affected by the “research and professional practice” and “peer perception” scores, which also results in their low rank in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking. Research limitations/implications - This study can be an exemplary model for any developing nation to upgrade its higher education institutions' (HEIs’) performance in international tables Practical implications - The government can develop policies to better low-performing universities and initiate policy changes in the incapacitated spheres for building a globally distinctive image for the Indian universities. The policymakers can recognise the institutions showcasing excellent research and teaching performance and encourage them accordingly to be the best research or teaching universities as it is not possible for every university to be the best in teaching and research aspect both. Social implications - The policymakers can also focus more on developing research collaboration form other countries and industry for research universities and professional staff from leading industries for teaching collaborations for the rest. The HPIs should focus on creating a global image for themselves and MPIs and LPIs should be encouraged to raise their national ranking. Originality/value - The study is a novel attempt to present the present state of Indian institutions grounded on all the national ranking criteria. It further compares the performance of sample NIRF institutions with international rankings criterion to suggest policy changes for improving their performance at the global level.