The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is set to introduce negative marking for certain parameters, including retracted research papers and citations of tainted papers, officials have confirmed.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the tenth edition of the NIRF. Since its launch, the framework has never included negative weightage.

Anil Sahashrabudhe, chairman of the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), which manages the NIRF, said the framework would now penalise institutions for research misconduct. “For the first time, penalties are being formally stitched into the ranking methodology to act against research malpractice and misrepresentation of data. The negative marking system will soon be declared and draft norms are being readied," he said.

The NIRF

See Full Page