Understanding the Absence of FMS in the Top Ten Colleges by NIRF

Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) of Delhi University is often misunderstood as an independent business school. However, FMS is actually the Department of Management Studies within the university. This article explores why FMS is not included among the top ten colleges according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

Why Is FMS Not Ranked in the Top Ten?

The primary reason for FMS's absence from the top ten colleges by NIRF can be attributed to its ineligibility based on the evaluation criteria set by the ministry. The evaluation criteria of NIRF, as detailed in their official documents, do not align perfectly with the unique attributes and strengths of FMS. This article will delve into why FMS is not included and what criterion it may be missing.

Lack of Participation

First and foremost, the presence of FMS on the ranking list depends on its participation in the survey. FMS has not participated in the latest NIRF survey, which accounts for the absence from the rankings. This decision is strategic, as FMS is not an independent institution but a department within Delhi University, and as such, it is not directly evaluated under the NIRF framework.

Organizational Standards and Industry Demands

According to the feedback from the current scenario, educational institutions like FMS operate on their own internal standards which are closely aligned with the demands of the industry rather than the requirements of the universities. FMS, rated among India’s top 15 management institutes and possibly among the top 10, does not fit into the NIRF criteria for the following reasons:

Criteria Evaluation

NIRF criteria encompass a wide range of evaluation parameters, including gender diversity, employability, research, placements, and others. FMS may have excelled in certain parameters but falls short in others.

Employability: FMS has one of the highest return on investment (ROI) rates, making it a top contender in employability. However, due to recent economic changes, there has been a dip in research funding, leading to a fee increase and a reduction in placement packages. The highest placement package in 2018-2019 was 58.6 lakhs, which is better than 49 lakhs in 2019 but still below the standards set by some other institutions.

Gender Diversity: The gender diversity at FMS stands at 7.5%, significantly higher than the national average. While this is commendable, it still falls short compared to institutions like IIMs, which have a ratio of 20:80. FMS has introduced measures to encourage female enrollment, seeing that female students are more likely to seek and enroll in such institutions, leading to increased website traffic.

PhD Programs and Research: The PhD specialization at FMS houses fewer students, with only 100-150 out of 800-900 candidates. This results in a lower research output and fewer international publications. Comparatively, IIMs offer a broader range of post-graduation programs and doctoral courses, which could explain their higher rankings.

Stakeholder Influence: While FMS has a strong track record in registrations and placements, a significant number of students opt out of placements to establish their own enterprises. This affects the university's placement metrics and subsequently the rankings.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The absence of FMS in the top ten colleges by NIRF is not a reflection of its quality or impact. FMS stands as a leading management institute in India, with strong records in employability and female enrolment. However, its unique organizational structure and different evaluation metrics prevent it from being directly compared under the NIRF framework.

Given the evolving nature of the evaluation criteria and the public trust that these rankings carry, it is essential for future evaluations to consider the improvements and unique strengths of institutions like FMS. As such, there is hope that MHRD NIRF will give due recognition to the progress showcased by FMS and similar institutions in the future.

For more detailed information and to understand the nuanced performance of FMS, it is recommended to closely read the official NIRF criteria and documents.