IIRF Ranking 2026: Ashoka University tops New Age Liberal University category

Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana, secured Rank 1 in the IIRF Ranking 2026 for the New Age Liberal University category.

KREA University, Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, secured Rank 2 in the IIRF Ranking 2026 New Age Liberal University category, while Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, secured Rank 3.

Ashoka University

Established in 2014 and approved by the UGC, Ashoka University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs across liberal arts, humanities, sciences, economics, and interdisciplinary studies.

Ashoka University has emerged as one of India's leading private universities with a strong focus on liberal arts, sciences, economics, and interdisciplinary learning. The university operates through 20 academic departments and four schools of study.

The university offers undergraduate majors in Economics, English, History, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology and Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Economics and Finance, Management, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.

Students also have access to interdisciplinary programs and minors that align with the objectives of the National Education Policy.

At the postgraduate level, Ashoka University offers programs including M.A. in Economics, M.A. in Economics and Data Analytics, M.A. in English, M.Sc. in Biology, and Master's in Liberal Studies.

Doctoral programs are available across disciplines including Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology and Anthropology.

The university has also established a strong placement record, attracting recruiters such as McKinsey & Company, BCG, Bain & Company, HUL, ITC Limited, and Deutsche Bank.

KREA University

KREA University, Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, secured Rank 2 in the IIRF Ranking 2026 for the New Age Liberal University category.

Established in 2018 and recognized by the UGC, KREA University operates through the School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences and the IFMR Graduate School of Business. The university is known for its interdisciplinary liberal arts and management education model.

Academic offerings include B.A., B.Sc., BBA, MBA, Executive MBA, and Ph.D. programs. Major disciplines include Economics, Data Science, Computer Science, Psychology, Physics, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Literature, History, Politics, Philosophy, and Business Studies.

The university's flagship MBA program accepts scores from CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, and IIT-JAM. Through its scholarship initiatives, undergraduate students can receive tuition waivers ranging from 20% to 100%.

The Lakshmi Scholarship Programme also supports selected students pursuing a fully funded master's degree at the University of Cambridge.

Azim Premji University Expands Liberal Arts and Development Education

Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, secured Rank 3 in the New Age Liberal University category.

Established in 2010 and recognized by the UGC, the private university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate, and doctoral programs focused on education, development, sustainability, public policy, and liberal arts. The university's 100-acre campus supports a wide range of academic and research activities.

Undergraduate programs include B.A. (Hons) in Economics, English, History, Media and Communications, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and Social Science. B.Sc. (Hons) programs are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science and Sustainability, Information Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.

The university also offers integrated teacher education programs; M.A. degrees in Education, Development, Economics, Public Policy and Governance, and Development Studies, along with M.Sc. in Climate Change and Sustainability, Master of Public Health, MBA, Executive MBA in Development Management, and Ph.D. programs.

With a network of more than 4,000 alumni, Azim Premji University has developed a strong presence in liberal arts, public policy, sustainability, education, and social development studies.

Top 10 New Age Liberal Universities in India: IIRF Ranking 2026

About IIRF Ranking

The Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) is a ranking system that evaluates more than 5,000 academic institutions across India.

It ranks universities, colleges, and business schools based on research performance, placements, faculty quality, industry collaboration, and other institutional indicators. IIRF is registered under India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) through the Companies Act, 2013.

The IIRF India Ranking conducts a comprehensive assessment of more than 2,500 institutions, including over 500 universities, 300 engineering colleges, 300 business schools, 300 undergraduate colleges, and more than 100 institutions each in law, design, architecture, medicine, dental sciences, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and public health.

IIRF Ranking Parameters

The rankings are based on nine key parameters:

• Academic Reputation: The Pedagogy of Practice (25%)
• Graduate Outcome & Employability: The Return on Investment (23%)
• Research Outcome: Volume, Income & Reputation (22%)
• Demand Ratio & Student Profile (6%)
• Employer Reputation & International Outlook (6%)
• Wellbeing & Institutional Development (5%)
• Peer Perception and Alumni Feedback (4%)
• Public Perception & Data Verification (4%)
• Impact and Value Addition (5%)

The ranking framework provides insights to students, parents, educators, and policymakers seeking information on higher education institutions in India. More details are available at www.iirfranking.com.