In News:

India has recorded its highest representation to date in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with 54 institutions featured—up from 11 in 2015. This marks a five-fold increase in a decade, making India the fourth most represented country, after the US, UK, and China.

Key Highlights

• Total Indian Institutions Ranked (2026): 54
• New Entrants from India: 8
• Top-performing Indian Institution: IIT Delhi (Rank 123)
• Fastest Rising Indian Institution: IIT Madras, up 47 places (from 227 in 2025 to 180 in 2026)
• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) Featured: 12
• Debut Institutions in 2026:
  • IIT Gandhinagar
  • Lovely Professional University (LPU)
  • Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT)
  • Ashoka University
  • Galgotias University
  • Shiv Nadar University
  • CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru
  • Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS)

Significant Trends and Insights

• Global Standing:
  • India now ranks 4th globally in terms of number of institutions in the QS Rankings.
  • Only the US (192), UK (90), and China (72) rank higher.
• Improvements and Recognition:
  • 48% of India’s ranked institutions have improved their positions over last year.
  • 6 institutions are in the global top 250.
  • 5 Indian universities are among the top 100 globally for Employer Reputation, showing high industry trust.
  • 8 institutions rank in the top 100 for Citations per Faculty, with an average score of 43.7—higher than the UK, US, and Germany.
• Diverse Representation:
  • Includes central universities, deemed-to-be universities, technical institutions, and private universities, reflecting a balanced and diversified higher education landscape.

QS Ranking Methodology: Key Indicators

Performance Lens                        Weightage         Indicators                                  Weightage

Research & Discovery               50%                      Academic Reputation             30%

                                                                                       Citations per Faculty                 20%

Employability & Outcomes     20%                     Employer Reputation                  15%

                                                                                     Employment Outcomes              5%

Global Engagement                  15%                   International Faculty Ratio          5%

                                                                               International Research Network     5%

                                                                               International Student Ratio              5%

Learning Experience                 10%               Faculty-Student Ratio                         10%

Sustainability                              5%                   Sustainability                                        5%

• New Indicator in 2026: International Student Diversity (tracks number and diversity of international students; non-weighted this cycle)

Significance for India

• The consistent rise highlights the impact of reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with greater emphasis on research, global collaboration, academic excellence, and employer integration.
• India’s progress makes it the fastest-rising G20 nation in QS rankings.
• Reflects increasing global trust and recognition of India’s higher education system.