The NIRF (National Institute of Ranking Framework) has placed NIT Rourkela in the 12th position in Engineering category and 46th in overall, in its ranking for 2017.
However, in the year 2016, the NIT Rourkela was placed in 19th position in "Engineering category". It is also learnt that the institute is figured in second position next to NIT, Tiruchirapalli which also stood in 11the position among engineering category. It may be mentioned here that the NIRF is under Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Also the NIT Rourkela has been placed within 401-500 range in Times World University rankings 2017 for higher education under "Engineering and Technology" category.
Among the Indian institutions under this category, the NIT Rourkela has secured 10th place. Moreover, the institute is the only of its kind, which has secured a place in this list. Times world ranking of universities has also figured NIT Rourkela in the list of 601-800 (overall worldwide ranking).
In the year 2016, the NIT Rourkela was placed within 601-800 in overall worldwide ranking.
The NIT Rourkela has been placed in 126th position in recent QS BRICS University Ranking. It is the top NIT in this list. In 2016, it was placed in 111-120 range.