In India, an Institution of National Importance (INI) refers to a premier public higher education institution granted special status by the constitution or an act of the Parliament of India. Such institutions are recognized for their pivotal role in developing highly skilled personnel within a specified region of the country or state. Institutes of National Importance enjoy special recognition, greater autonomy, and direct funding from the Government of India.
At the inception of the Constitution of India, the Seventh Schedule declared Banaras Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University as institutes of national importance. Subsequently 32nd Amendment in 1973 added University of Delhi to the schedule. Other institutions are accorded as INI by legislations or statutory orders.
The Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPA) are declared as Institutes of National Importance through the 'School of Planning and Architecture Act, 2014' and its subsequent amendments.
Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) are declared as Institutes of National Importance through the Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2017 and its subsequent amendments.
All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are declared as Institutes of National Importance through the 'All India Institute of Medical Sciences Act, 1956' and its subsequent amendments.
National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) are declared as Institutes of National Importance through the 'National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Act, 1998' and its subsequent amendments.
Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) are Institutes of National Importance through the amendments in the National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research Act, 2007.
Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University declared as Institutes of National Importance through Entry No. 63 union list-Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.
As of June 2024, there are 171 Institutes of National Importance under various Acts of Parliament. These INIs include: 23 IITs, 20 AIIMSs, 21 IIMs, 31 NITs, 25 IIITs, 7 IISERs, 7 NIPERs, 5 NIDs, 3 SPAs, 2 NIFTEMs, 10 central universities, 4 medical research institutes, and 13 other specialized institutes.
----------------------------------------------