QS World University Rankings 2026

India has recorded strong gains in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with several institutions improving their global standing. The rankings underline India’s growing influence in global higher education and highlight the performance of leading engineering and research institutions.

Top Performers in India

IIT Delhi leads the national list with a global rank of 123 and an overall score of 65.5. IIT Bombay follows at rank 129, while IIT Madras occupies the third position in India with a global rank of 180. These results reflect the sustained research output, academic reputation and employability strength of India’s top technical institutions.

National Ranking Highlights

The latest edition features a wide range of Indian universities across categories. IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IISc Bengaluru, University of Delhi and IIT Guwahati all feature prominently. Institutions such as Anna University, Shoolini University, JNU, IIT BHU and Savitribai Phule Pune University also maintain strong positions. The rankings capture both established public institutions and emerging private universities making their mark.

India’s Broader Presence in Global Rankings

India remains one of only a few countries with a rapidly expanding higher education presence in major global indices. The list includes universities from across the country—ranging from IIT Hyderabad and the University of Mumbai to BITS Pilani, Jadavpur University, VIT Vellore and Symbiosis International. The 2026 edition has catalogued over 1,500 top global universities, with nearly 500 institutions worldwide improving performance compared to last year.

Exam Oriented Facts

• IIT Delhi is India’s top-ranked institute in QS 2026 with a global rank of 123.
• IIT Bombay and IIT Madras follow with ranks of 129 and 180.
• Over 1,500 institutions feature in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
• MIT retains the title of the world’s top-ranked university.

Growing Global Recognition for Indian Universities

Indian institutions continue to strengthen their research footprints and global visibility, with multiple universities advancing in international rankings. The spread of institutions across states and disciplines illustrates the increasing diversity and competitiveness of India’s higher education ecosystem.