Pune University Plummets in Rankings, Students Demand Accountability

In the 2025 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) results announced just a day prior, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has seen a dramatic decline in its national rankings. Once ranked 37th overall in 2014, the university now finds itself at the 91st position in the 2025 overall category, 56th among universities, and 11th among state public universities.

This sharp drop in rankings has sparked growing discontent among SPPU's student community. Several student organizations, groups, and political student wings held a dialogue meeting with the university's Management Council on Tuesday, voicing their concerns and demanding accountability from the administration.

Students strongly criticized the current Vice Chancellor, holding him responsible for the university's fall and demanding his resignation on moral grounds. Key issues raised included the need for guaranteed hostel accommodation, investigation into alleged irregularities in contractual faculty appointments, and inquiry into corruption in post-doctoral fellowships, among others.

According to university officials, the decline is largely due to retirements of senior faculty, which lowered the crucial Faculty-Student Ratio (FSR) parameter. The expansion of new degree programs also increased enrollment, straining resources further. The administration has since initiated a faculty recruitment drive to address these gaps and expressed confidence about regaining SPPU's earlier position.

However, student groups remain firm in their demand for the Vice Chancellor's resignation, underscoring the widening rift between the university administration and its student bodies.