QS World University Rankings 2026: IIT Delhi (123rd), IIT Bombay (129th), IIT Madras (180th) Lead Charge

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Applauds India’s 54-University QS Rankings Surge 2026

India’s higher education landscape has soared to new heights, with a record 54 universities featured in the QS World University Rankings 2026, propelling the country to the fourth most represented nation globally, behind only the United States, United Kingdom, and China.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hailed this extraordinary achievement in an X post, crediting the leap from just 11 institutions in 2014 to 54 in 2026—a 390% growth—to the transformative reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, driven by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Detailed Rankings of Indian Institutions

The QS World University Rankings 2026, spotlight India’s top performers. Leading the charge is the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), which has surged to the 123rd position globally, a stunning 70-place jump from its 197th rank in 2024. This ascent is fueled by impressive scores in Academic Reputation (93.1), Citations per Faculty (95), and Employer Reputation (50.5).

Other standout institutions include:

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), ranked 129th globally, solidifying its reputation with high marks in Academic Reputation (82.9), Employer Reputation (72.6), and Citations per Faculty (96.7).

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), at 180th, continuing its upward trend with robust scores in Academic Reputation (90.2), Citations per Faculty (85.8), and Employer Reputation (45.8).

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, securing the 219th position, excelling in Academic Reputation (99.9), Faculty/Student Ratio (39.1), and Citations per Faculty (46.4).

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), ranked 222nd, demonstrating consistent growth in Academic Reputation (84.1), Citations per Faculty (82.7), and Employer Reputation (47.6).

The rankings are based on eight key indicators: Academic Reputation (30%), Employer Reputation (20%), Faculty/Student Ratio (10%), Citations per Faculty (20%), International Faculty Ratio (5%), International Student Ratio (5%), International Research Network (5%), and Sustainability (5%). With 48% of India’s ranked universities improving their positions this year, five breaking into the global top 100 for Employer Reputation, and eight ranking in the top 100 for Citations per Faculty, the transformative impact of NEP 2020 is unmistakable.

Broader Impact and Future Prospects

The Ministry of Education reported that eight new Indian universities entered the rankings this year—the highest number by any country—signaling a broadening of the country’s academic footprint. IIT Delhi’s remarkable rise is attributed to 410 international collaborative research projects since its designation as an Institute of Eminence (IoE) in 2018, significantly boosting its International Research Network score. This aligns seamlessly with NEP 2020’s focus on global partnerships and multidisciplinary education.

Minister Pradhan also called for sustained efforts, urging attention to state-level colleges and practical training models like Germany’s dual education system.

Looking Ahead

With an average Citations per Faculty score of 43.7—outpacing Germany, the UK, and the US—India is poised to challenge traditional education powerhouses. The government’s commitment to research, innovation, and internationalization under NEP 2020 promises to propel more institutions into the global top 100 in the coming years.

Table: Top Indian Universities in QS World University Rankings 2026 (Top 500)