How good is the data on which ranking has been done?
The institutions will provide the data certifying that it is correct. The data will be checked with reference to the data validations that are built in. For example, if the annual fee is Rs. 10 lakh, and the institution is claiming that 80% of the students are from economically backward sections, there is an apparent inconsistency. The NIRF checks such data with the institution and other regulator data. However, errors and inconsistencies may still creep in.
Most of the data pertaining to the research, which has a large weightage, is taken from third party and authentic sources like Scopus or Web of Science. This data is considered valid and correct by the NIRF.
We must understand the NIRF score as a reflection of where the institution is standing vis-a-vis other institutions in the similar category.