Summary
- PM Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan celebrated the inclusion of 54 Indian institutions in the QS World University 2026 Rankings, up from just 11 in 2014.
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and increased emphasis on research, innovation, and internationalisation are credited for this surge.
- India is now the fourth most represented nation in the QS rankings, behind only the US, UK, and China—marking a turning point for Indian higher education.
From 11 to 54: A Decade of Growth for Indian Universities
In a development hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “great news for our education sector,” the QS World University 2026 Rankings have listed 54 Indian institutions, a remarkable leap from just 11 universities in 2014. The announcement, shared on 19 June 2025, marks a watershed moment for Indian higher education and positions the country among the most globally represented systems in the world.
PM Modi took to social media platform X to extend his congratulations, emphasizing his government’s commitment to strengthening research and innovation ecosystems to benefit India’s youth. “The QS World University 2026 Rankings bring great news for our education sector,” he wrote.
This year’s list includes over 1,500 universities from across more than 100 countries. While global stalwarts like MIT, Stanford, and Imperial College London continue to dominate, Indian institutions are rapidly climbing the global ladder, led by the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science.
India's HEIs witness unprecedented rise in QS global university rankings, with more institutions than ever before earning their place on the world stage.
— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) June 19, 2025
India has emerged as the fastest-growing G20 nation in the QS World University Rankings, with a phenomenal 390% growth over… pic.twitter.com/iOJrFjxvVq
NEP 2020 and the Research Push Behind the Rise
- Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan credited NEP 2020 for driving educational transformation, particularly in research and internationalisation.
- The surge in global rankings is seen as proof of successful systemic reform, not just institutional brilliance.
- The Ministry of Education emphasised a broader government commitment to excellence, linking the rise to decade-long policy efforts.
According to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s jump in rankings is a direct outcome of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aimed to revolutionize higher education by promoting liberalisation, research funding, global collaboration, and digital infrastructure.
“From just 11 universities in 2014 to 54 in the latest rankings, this five-fold jump is a testament to the transformative educational reforms ushered by PM Modi’s government,” Pradhan posted.
He further noted that India is now the fastest-growing education system in the G20, and globally stands fourth in institutional representation, behind only the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. This symbolic milestone signals not just academic competitiveness but also policy credibility on the global stage.
Leading the Charge: Which Indian Institutions Made the List?
- Top-ranked Indian institutions in the QS 2026 list include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IISc Bangalore, and IIT Kharagpur.
- Delhi University, Anna University, and IIT Kanpur are also among the widely recognized institutions.
- India’s visibility in both STEM and interdisciplinary streams is growing, though innovation output remains a priority area.
The QS 2026 Rankings have placed Indian Institutes of Technology at the forefront of the country’s representation, with IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi maintaining top positions among Indian entries. The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc) continues to perform strongly in global research output, often standing out in subject-specific rankings.
Delhi University and Anna University, among others, reflect a more diversified rise across engineering, sciences, and liberal arts. With NEP promoting multi-disciplinary learning and a holistic development model, these institutions are now building institutional profiles that align with international benchmarks.
However, experts also caution that the ranking surge must be matched by improvements in faculty strength, research citations, academic reputation, and industry collaboration, particularly for non-STEM fields.
The Road Ahead: Global Visibility, Local Challenges
India’s surge in the QS Rankings is both a cause for celebration and a cue for deeper introspection. While institutional presence has expanded, the quality of education delivery, student–faculty ratio, and sustained research funding remain uneven across regions.
With the NEP’s rollout in full swing, challenges like bridging digital divides, standardising curriculum across autonomous institutions, and developing global partnerships beyond the Anglosphere will determine whether India can not just grow in numbers, but thrive in influence.
The government’s next big test lies in building capacity across second- and third-tier universities, integrating skilling with academic learning, and positioning India as a destination—not just a contributor—to global knowledge networks.
