Kohima: Nagaland University (NU) has achieved a major milestone in research and innovation, securing the second position among government universities in India for patents granted in India Today’s India’s Best Universities 2026 rankings.
The state’s premier institution of higher learning recorded 68 patents granted over the past three years, placing it just behind Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (GGV), Bilaspur, which topped the category with 81 patents. NU also emerged among the top five government universities in the country for patents published, with 118 patents during the same period.
The achievement places Nagaland’s only Central University among India’s leading public institutions in intellectual property creation and research-driven innovation, reflecting its growing contribution to the country’s knowledge economy.
For a state better known for its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, the recognition marks a significant step in establishing a strong research and innovation ecosystem. NU’s performance in both patents granted and patents published underscores its increasing emphasis on applied research, technological innovation and product development.
At a time when innovation and intellectual property are widely regarded as key measures of academic excellence, the latest ranking further strengthens Nagaland University’s reputation as one of the Northeast’s leading centres of higher education. It also highlights the institution’s ability to translate research into intellectual property with practical and commercial potential.
Faculty members and researchers attributed the achievement to the university’s sustained investment in research and innovation, supported by the collective efforts of its teachers, scientists, scholars and students. They described the recognition as a proud moment not only for Nagaland University and the state but for the entire Northeast, demonstrating that institutions from the region are making a meaningful impact on India’s innovation landscape.
According to India Today’s India’s Best Universities 2026 rankings, published in its August 10 edition, universities were evaluated across multiple research and academic performance indicators, including patents granted and patents published.
The latest recognition is expected to further enhance Nagaland University’s standing as a leading hub for research and development while creating new opportunities for industry-academia partnerships, technology transfer and innovation-led growth.