Centre Decides to Handhold Universities on Global Rankings; QS Training Rolled Out for HEIs

Centre decides to handhold Indian universities on global rankings; Ministry of Education conducts QS World University Rankings training to improve HEIs’ global performance.

Recognising the growing importance of global university rankings in shaping international reputation, student mobility and collaborations, the Centre has decided to actively handhold Indian higher education institutions (HEIs) to improve their global ranking performance.

As part of this push, the Ministry of Education organised a national-level orientation and training programme on the QS World University Rankings methodology for vice-chancellors and senior institutional officials.

Focus on methodology, data reporting and reputation indicators

The training programme, conducted in collaboration with QS Quacquarelli Symonds, aimed to familiarise universities with key parameters used in global rankings, including academic and employer reputation, research citations per faculty, internationalisation, and data submission practices.

Officials underlined that better understanding and strategic alignment with ranking indicators is essential for improving India’s overall global academic standing.

The workshop saw participation from over 400 stakeholders online and more than 60 in person, including vice-chancellors, directors and nodal officers from universities and institutes across the country.

India’s expanding presence in QS rankings

The initiative comes at a time when India has recorded its highest-ever presence in the QS World University Rankings, with 54 Indian institutions featured in the 2026 edition, marking a sharp rise compared to previous years. The Centre sees targeted capacity building as a way to ensure that increasing participation translates into better rank positions and stronger global visibility.

Officials also highlighted the need for institutions to strengthen research output, global engagement and reputation-building efforts, stating that sustained institutional reforms will be critical for long-term gains in international rankings.