In India, an Institution of National Importance (INI) refers to a premier public higher education institution granted special status by 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. Some of India's top-ranked universities, including the Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology, All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, and Indian Institutes of Management, hold this status.