Current Science, the prestigious science journal has placed Banaras Hindu University first among Indian universities for publication of highest number of research papers in the country and University of Hyderabad topped the overall ranking.
This finding will no doubt create some debate in the academic circle as many professors of the Central University of Hyderabad have complained of not getting their due in terms of recognition and grants since they are far away from the power centres in Delhi.
Among other things, one interesting finding is that no private university has made to this elite list. (If I can play devil’s advocate, it’s only recently that a few seemingly good private universities have sprung up.)
The study finds these universities had each published more than 1,200 papers during this period , according to publication data downloaded from the Scopus International multidisciplinary bibliographical database. Together, they contributed 59,685 papers, constituting 18% papers to the total cumulative research output by India during 1999–2008. The publication share of these 25 universities to the total output by India showed an increase from 17.48% (22,173 papers) in 1999–03 to 18.31% (37,512 papers) in 2004–08.
But what a minuscule increase compared to what some other countries, esp China, have achieved in recent years.
According to reports of press, publication and publicity (PPP) cell, BHU, the science journal in its latest report (September 25, 2009) has ranked BHU first amongst top 25 research universities in the country with high output of publication during 10 years period (1999 to 2008).
It may be mentioned here, earlier the university was also ranked first in the country on the basis of publications, fellowship in science, awards and quality of students by the principal scientific advisor, Government of India this year.
As per varsity spokesperson, the ranking of Indian universities in Current Science has been done on the basis of their research output and quality using a new performance index. As per report, the universities that had publications of more than 1200 research papers in the last 10 years were considered for ranking.
The BHU spokesman also said, the latest rankings had shown significant improvement since 2004, when the university was placed 10th among top research institutions in the country. BHU was also ranked sixth among leading research institutions in 2008.
The report of science journal has given higher citations to as many as five universities in the country including University of Hyderabad, Delhi University, Jadhavpur University, Punjab University and BHU. The report has given higher value of citation per publication, higher percentage of share of papaers from international collaboration, indicating the higher quality of excellence in reasearch in these universities.
It is also worth mentioning that acknowledging the efforts of BHU, University Grants Commission (UGC) has given the highest grant allocation of Rs 283.76 crores to BHU in its eleventh plan, in addition to OBC budget of Rs 561.25 crores.
The Original Ranking Can Be Downloaded Here:
Current Science University Ranking
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