The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) of the Union ministry of human resource development has ranked Visva-Bharati at 50 among all Indian universities, a big slide from last year’s position of 37.

The ranking released on Thursday afternoon has raised questions among teachers and alumni about the academic downfall of the institution set up by Rabindranath Tagore.

In the overall category, which includes institutes other than varsities, Visva-Bharati stands at 69. Last year, it stood 59th.

Two Bengal universities, Jadavpur University and Calcutta University, were ranked 5 and 7, respectively. Last year Calcutta University had ranked 5 and Jadavpur University 6. Two more Bengal universities made it to the top 100, Kalyani University at 89 and Burdwan University at 92.

The NIRF ranks institutes and varsities on five parameters — teaching, learning and resources; research and professional practice; graduation outcomes; outreach and inclusivity; and peer perception.

Supriya Tagore, a descendent of the Tagore family and former principal of Patha Bhavana, called the Visva-Bharati’s fall in national ranking “unfortunate”.

“The varsity authorities should concentrate on education and academics. Such news hurts people like us who are connected with this institution,” said Tagore, an octogenarian.

Visva-Bharati ranked 11 in 2016, 19 in 2017 and 31 in 2018 according to the NIRF assessment.