In the process of nation building after independence, the country has witnessed a massive growth in the number of universities and colleges. The quantum of this growth in the higher education sector is spearheaded by universities, which are the highest seats of learning. Today, the sector boasts of 777 universities including 47 central universities, 356 state universities, 252 private universities and 122 deemed-to-be universities. However, on the global stage where universities across the world are evaluated, the poor performance of Indian universities continues. In the most recent "Times Higher Education's grading of more than 900 top universities around the world," no Indian universities made it within the top 200. Indeed, most of them were in the bottom 200.

Though, Indian Universities regularly fail to make their cut in the global rankings after competing against western universities, which are comparatively in higher positions in terms of years of existence, the country has many universities that are emulating the global standards by signing MoUs and adapting to international standards. They are well equipped with excellent academic resources and faculties who are capable of turning an average student to an extra ordinary resource. Some of the universities have already made their mark in the education sector and some are new names but with strong ideologies and innovative pedagogies, which have the potential to transform the present scenario of education in the country.

We strongly believe that it is important to bring out the names of such Universities into the limelight. In this issue of the Higher Education Review, we have identifies some of the innovative universities in the country under the title "University of the Year 216." On the cover, we have featured, Manipal University Jaipur, a new generation-university that uses many innovative practices in the areas of teaching and learning, examinations, fostering collaborations and promoting research.

Enjoy reading.