An Analysis on Causes of Inter-State Student Migration from Arunachal Pradesh: The Role of University Reputation and Rankings
Author(s): SANDEEP KUMAR SHARMA
Authors Affiliations:
Research Scholar, Apex Professional University, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh
DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202508034 | Paper ID: IJIRMF202508034Inter-state student migration in India has grown significantly in recent years, particularly from peripheral regions such as Arunachal Pradesh. Despite the increasing number of universities and institutions in the region, students continue to migrate to reputed institutions in metropolitan centers such as Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, and Kolkata. This research explores how university reputation and national rankings—such as those published by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)—influence the decision-making process of students from Arunachal Pradesh. Using a mixed-method approach comprising surveys of 300 students (both within and outside Arunachal) and interviews with faculty and academic counselors, the study identifies perceived prestige, employability, and digital visibility as key motivators of migration. It also highlights the reputational challenges faced by local institutions such as Rajiv Gandhi University, NERIST, and Apex Professional University. The findings underscore the need for strategic branding, performance improvement, and student engagement to enhance the competitiveness of higher education institutions in Arunachal Pradesh. Policy recommendations are proposed to improve institutional reputation, foster retention of local talent, and reduce regional academic disparity.
Sandeep Kumar Sharma (2025); An Analysis on Causes of Inter-State Student Migration from Arunachal Pradesh: The Role of University Reputation and Rankings, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-8, Pp.260-266.     Available on –  https://www.ijirmf.com/
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