PGI in pink of health, keeps 2nd spot for 7th year in row
Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 12
For the seventh consecutive year, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) attained second rank in the medical category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-2024 released today. While the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, claimed the top spot with an overall score of 94.46, the PGIMER followed with 80.83 points.
In comparison to the last year, when the PGIMER had claimed the second spot with an overall score of 81.10, it fairly improved in two parameters, namely Teaching, learning and resources (TLR) and Outreach and inclusivity (OI). However, the institute dropped points in other parameters — Research and professional practices (RPC), Graduation outcomes (GO) and perception.
The NIRF was initiated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2015 to assess institutions based on several key parameters. “Remarkably, the PGIMER has maintained its second position since 2018. This consistent achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the entire faculty and staff,” said Prof Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER.
Decline in main parameters
While the PGIMER managed to maintain the second position, the drop in overall score and parameters is a concern. Though the institute score dropped from 81.10 to 80.83 points, it managed to retain the overall second rank.
The PGIMER recorded the second consecutive drop in the GO score. In 2022, it was 85.34, followed by 79.79 in 2023 and 78.76 this year. The better outcomes of graduates are one of the main aspects of institution, as AIIMS recorded 98.44 this year.
There is a consecutive drop in the Perception score. Last year, the PGIMER had obtained 71.42 in this parameter, which reflects its overall reputation among academic peers and employers, and this year, it dropped to 69.37. In 2022, the PGIMER performed better with 71.78. The AIIMS on other hand scored full points in both the years.
Meanwhile, the score in TLR, which is determined by factors of student strength, faculty-student ratio, faculty with PhD, financial resources utilisation and online education, proved as a boost for the institution. The PGIMER scored 91.49 this year, in comparison to 88.53 (2023) and 78.62 (2022).
The OI takes into account region diversity, women diversity, economically and socially challenged students and physically challenged students.
However, the main parameter of RPC is something that the PGI authorities should address as it saw a major drop this time. From 83.18 (2022) and 83.15 (2023), it fell to 79.94 in the 2024 rankings. The parameter considers publications, citations, patents and research projects.
GMCH-32 down three ranks
The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, witnessed a slip of three ranks in the overall category. The institute has been ranked 35th with 56.53 points this year. It scored 79.82 in teaching, learning and resources, 59.94 in outreach and inclusivity, 30.36 in Research and professional practices, 76.95 in graduation outcomes and 21.77 in perception. Last year, it had attained overall 32nd position with 55.34 points. In 2022, the institution was placed 27th with a score of 54.02.