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IIT Delhi Leads as 54 Indian Institutions Secure Spots in QS World University Rankings 2026

In a significant achievement for Indian higher education, 54 institutions from the country have been featured in the QS World University Rankings 2026. IIT Delhi has emerged as India's top performer, climbing to the 123rd position globally, marking the highest rank ever secured by the institute. The rankings also reflect India’s growing influence in the global education landscape, alongside major education reforms like the introduction of two board exams for CBSE Class 10 from 2026.
UniList Desk

Updated Jul 6, 2025 | 09:01 PM IST
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India's higher education sector has made remarkable progress with 54 Indian institutions making it to the QS World University Rankings 2026, a notable improvement that highlights the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its global academic standing.
Among these, IIT Delhi has created history by achieving the 123rd position, the highest for any Indian institution this year. This also represents the institute's biggest leap in two years, showcasing improvements in academic reputation, research output, and international collaborations.
The latest rankings, released for the 2026 cycle, assess universities based on various parameters such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty, and international students.
Top 10 Indian Institutions in QS World University Rankings 2026
Rank in India 2026 QS Rank 2025 QS Rank Institution Metropolitan Area
1 =123 =150 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) New Delhi
2 129 118 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) Mumbai
3 180 =227 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) Chennai
4 =215 =222 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITKGP) Kharagpur
5 =219 211 Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore Bangalore
6 222 263 Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) Kanpur
7 =328 =328 University of Delhi New Delhi
8 =334 =344 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) Guwahati
9 =339 335 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) Roorkee
10 =465 383 Anna University Chennai
Note: Several other Indian institutions have also been featured across various ranking bands.

Key Highlights of the 2026 QS Rankings for India

    A total of 54 Indian institutions are now part of the prestigious global list.
  • IIT Delhi's 123rd rank is India's highest, reflecting the institute's emphasis on research, innovation, and global collaborations.
  • India continues to strengthen its global academic footprint, thanks to investments in research, partnerships, and quality education.
  • The inclusion of more Indian institutions signals steady growth in academic performance and international reputation.

    • Global Comparison

    While Indian institutions have shown improvement, they still face competition from global giants. The top 10 universities globally this year are:

    Top 10 Universities in QS World University Rankings 2026

    2026 Rank 2025 Rank Δ (Change) Institution Location
    1 1 0 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) United States of America
    2 2 0 Imperial College London United Kingdom
    3 6 +3 Stanford University United States of America
    4 3 -1 University of Oxford United Kingdom
    5 4 -1 Harvard University United States of America
    6 5 -1 University of Cambridge United Kingdom
    7 7 0 ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) Switzerland
    8 8 0 National University of Singapore (NUS) Singapore
    9 9 0 UCL (University College London) United Kingdom
    10 10 0 California Institute of Technology (Caltech) United States of America
    Indian institutions are steadily climbing the ladder, but there remains significant scope for enhancing research output, international faculty, and infrastructure to match the global top tier.

    Education Reforms to Boost Future Rankings

    Apart from international recognition, domestic education reforms are underway that could further support India's global academic standing. Starting from 2026, the CBSE Class 10 board exams will be conducted twice a year.
    What This Means for Students:
      All students must appear for the first exam, while the second attempt is optional.
  • The best score from the two exams will be considered.
  • This move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to reduce academic pressure and offer students multiple opportunities to perform.
  • The system is designed to encourage better learning outcomes and mental well-being.
    • Experts believe that such reforms, coupled with a focus on research and innovation, will play a vital role in enhancing the quality of education and improving India's future positions in global rankings.

    Conclusion

    The QS World University Rankings 2026 have brought encouraging news for India, with 54 institutions securing a place and IIT Delhi leading the way at the 123rd spot, its highest-ever global rank. This reflects the country's steady progress in building a globally competitive higher education system.
    While challenges remain in matching the world's top universities, the combination of consistent academic efforts and education reforms like the new board exam structure points towards a promising future for India's students and institutions on the global stage.
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