THE Subject Rankings 2026: IISc Leads India; Engineering, Computer Science & Social Sciences See Max Indian Universities

THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026 show IISc Bengaluru leading Indian institutions with Engineering and Computer Science seeing highest number of Indian universities. OP Jindal tops law.

Indian universities have recorded wide representation across disciplines in Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2026 with Engineering, Computer Science and Social Sciences emerging as most crowded categories for India. While only a handful of institutions feature among the global elite, subject-wise tables show India’s growing depth across STEM, medicine and humanities.

IISc Bengaluru Remains India’s Flagbearer

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru continues to be India’s strongest overall performer in THE subject rankings 2026. IISc is India’s highest-ranked institution across multiple subjects, including Engineering, Computer Science, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences. It remains only Indian institution to feature in global top 100 in select STEM subjects.

IISc’s consistent showing reinforces its position as India’s most globally competitive research university.

Engineering: India’s Most Represented Subject

Engineering has maximum number of Indian universities in THE Subject Rankings 2026.

Apart from IISc, Indian institutions ranked across various bands include:

• Jamia Millia Islamia
• Aligarh Muslim University
• VIT (Vellore Institute of Technology)
• SRM Institute of Science and Technology
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education
• Amity University
• Jadavpur University

Several state technical universities

Most Indian engineering institutions are placed in the 301–400, 401–500 and 501–600 bands, highlighting strong participation but limited top-tier penetration.

Computer Science: Strong Private and Central University Presence

Computer Science is another area where Indian representation is particularly high. IISc Bengaluru leads Indian institutions. Amity University, Jamia Millia Islamia, VIT, SRM, UPES, Symbiosis International University and several central universities feature across mid-ranking bands.

The subject shows a notable mix of public and private universities, reflecting India’s expanding digital and applied research ecosystem.

Medical & Health and Life Sciences: Volume Over Elite Ranks

India has strong numerical representation, driven largely by:

• Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Select health sciences universities and deemed institutions.

Most are placed in 301–600 bands, indicating growing research output but scope for improvement in global impact.

Life Sciences

IISc Bengaluru again leads, followed by Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Aligarh Muslim University.

Physical Sciences: Central Universities Dominate

Indian presence in Physical Sciences is led by:

• IISc Bengaluru
• Delhi University
• JNU
• University of Hyderabad
• Jadavpur University

Representation is concentrated in the 401–600 bands, underlining strong foundational research but limited citation advantage globally.

Social Sciences and Arts & Humanities: Broad but Band-Heavy

Social Sciences

One of the widest Indian footprints among all subjects. 

Institutions include:

• Delhi University
• JNU
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
• Jamia Millia Islamia
• University of Hyderabad
• Several state universities

Arts & Humanities

Indian universities such as:

• Delhi University
• JNU
• BHU
• Jadavpur University

Feature mainly in 401–600 bands, reflecting India’s traditional academic strengths.

Law: OP Jindal Leads India

In Law subject rankings: O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is India’s highest-ranked institution, placed in the 251–300 global band. Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Professor (Dr. ) C. Raj Kumar said on this historic achievement, “These rankings firmly position JGU as India’s leading multidisciplinary institution, at a time when India now has the second-highest number of ranked universities globally, behind only the United States. They stand as a powerful testament to our shared commitment to academic rigor, research innovation, international collaboration, and institutional excellence.”

University of Delhi follows in the 301–400 band. Law remains a narrow category for India in THE rankings, with limited institutional representation compared to STEM disciplines.

Psychology: Emerging but Limited

Psychology has fewer Indian entries, mainly from:

• Delhi University
• JNU
• A small number of multidisciplinary universities.
• Most Indian institutions are placed in 401–600 bands.

Key Takeaways from THE Subject Rankings 2026

• Engineering and Computer Science have the highest number of Indian universities.
• Social Sciences and Medical & Health also show strong participation.
• Law and Psychology have the fewest Indian entries.
• IISc Bengaluru remains India’s most consistent top performer.

India’s strength lies in breadth rather than elite dominance with most universities ranked in 301–600 bands.