PM Narendra Modi Cheers India’s QS Rankings Rise, Highlights Research Push

IIT Delhi’s remarkable 27-place jump from 150th in 2025 to 123rd in 2026 positions it as India’s top-ranked institution, excelling in academic reputation, employer reputation, and research output.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lauded India’s impressive performance in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with a special focus on the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) climbing to the 123rd global rank.

In a tweet, PM Modi stated, “The QS World University 2026 Rankings bring great news for our education sector. Our Government is committed to furthering research and innovation ecosystems for the benefit of India’s youth,” underscoring the government’s dedication to elevating India’s academic standing. This milestone reflects a broader surge, with India now boasting 54 universities in the rankings, a five-fold increase from 11 in 2014, fueled by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

IIT Delhi’s remarkable 27-place jump from 150th in 2025 to 123rd in 2026 positions it as India’s top-ranked institution, excelling in academic reputation, employer reputation, and research output.

The institute’s success is attributed to 410 international research collaborations since its designation as an Institute of Eminence (IoE) in 2018, enhancing its global academic footprint. Close behind, IIT Bombay ranks 129th, and IIT Madras secures 180th, solidifying India’s engineering dominance, with all three institutions showcasing significant improvements in citations per faculty and international research network.

This achievement marks India as the fourth most represented nation in the QS rankings, with eight new universities added this year, the highest by any country, highlighting NEP 2020’s transformative impact. The government’s focus on research is further evidenced by IIT Delhi’s leadership in engineering and technology, where it clinched the top spot in India, outpacing peers with a balanced score across academic and employer metrics. India’s average Citations per Faculty score of 43.7 now rivals global leaders, signaling a robust research ecosystem poised to challenge traditional powerhouses.

PM Modi’s emphasis on innovation aligns with a $1 billion investment in institutes of eminence, aiming to propel India’s top universities into the global top 100. With 48% of ranked Indian universities improving their positions, the future looks promising as the government continues to prioritize multidisciplinary education and international collaboration, setting the stage for further global recognition.