IIM Kozhikode Enters QS Top 100 Rankings 2026

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM-K) has achieved a significant global milestone by entering the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for the first time. This reflects India’s growing academic reputation and strengthening presence in global higher education rankings, particularly in management and technical disciplines.

About QS World University Rankings

The QS World University Rankings are published annually by Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education consultancy. These rankings assess universities worldwide based on parameters such as academic reputation, employer reputation, research output, and employment outcomes. The system adopts a structured methodology to evaluate diverse aspects of institutional performance.

Framework and evaluation criteria

The QS rankings are organised into five broad “lenses”: Research and Discovery, Employability and Outcomes, Global Engagement, Learning Experience, and Sustainability. Each lens consists of specific indicators such as citations per faculty and employer reputation. These indicators are further supported by detailed metrics that generate precise scores, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of universities.

India’s performance in 2026 rankings

India has shown strong progress, with 120 new institutions entering the rankings, placing it fourth globally after the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. The country now has the fourth-largest institutional presence overall. Six Indian institutions feature in the global top 100 for computer science, all showing improvement compared to the previous year.

Important Facts for Exams

• QS World University Rankings are published by Quacquarelli Symonds.
• The rankings evaluate institutions using parameters like academic and employer reputation.
• Five lenses include Research, Employability, Global Engagement, Learning Experience, and Sustainability.
• India ranks among the top countries in terms of new entries in QS rankings.

Top Indian institutional achievements

The Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad have secured the highest global rank among Indian institutions at 21. IIT-ISM Dhanbad continues to excel in mineral and mining engineering, while IIM Ahmedabad has entered the global top 25 in business and management studies and marketing. These achievements highlight India’s growing competitiveness in specialised academic fields.