India has significantly strengthened its position in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with 52 Indian institutions now featured in the prestigious global rankings compared to just 11 universities in 2015. The Centre said the growth reflects sustained reforms in higher education, expansion of premier institutions, and increased participation in national quality assessment frameworks.
Among Indian institutions, IIT Delhi emerged as the country's highest-ranked university, while several IITs and private universities also recorded notable improvements in this year's rankings.
India's Presence in QS Rankings Continues to Expand
According to information shared in the Lok Sabha, the number of Indian institutions appearing in the QS rankings has increased steadily over the past decade.
The government attributed this growth to initiatives such as:
- National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- Expansion of higher education institutions
- Increased investment in research and academic infrastructure
- Schemes supporting universities and institutions of excellence
Officials noted that participation in NIRF has also expanded considerably, with institutions increasingly adopting global quality benchmarks.
IIT Delhi Leads Indian Universities
IIT Delhi retained its position as India's highest-ranked institution by climbing five places to 118th globally.
Other leading Indian institutions include:
| Indian Institution | Global Rank |
|---|---|
| IIT Delhi | 118 |
| IIT Bombay | 134 |
| IIT Madras | 170 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 205 |
| IISc Bengaluru | 221 |
Several institutions outside the IIT system also improved significantly.
Notable gainers include:
- VIT University
- BITS Pilani
- IIT Hyderabad
- Jamia Millia Islamia
These improvements indicate broader progress across India's higher education ecosystem rather than growth being limited to a handful of institutions.
NIRF Participation Has Increased Sharply
The government highlighted growing participation in the National Institutional Ranking Framework since its launch.
Between 2021 and 2025:
- Applications increased from 6,272 to 14,163
- Participating institutions grew from 4,030 to 7,692
NIRF evaluates institutions on multiple parameters including:
- Teaching and learning resources
- Research performance
- Graduation outcomes
- Inclusivity
- Outreach
- Overall academic quality
The Centre believes the framework has encouraged institutions to improve competitiveness and transparency.
Higher Education Expansion Backed by Policy Reforms
The Centre linked India's improving global rankings to reforms introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Key initiatives include:
- Promotion of multidisciplinary education
- Greater emphasis on research and innovation
- Infrastructure development
- Faculty training
- Industry collaboration
- Institutional autonomy
The government also pointed to initiatives such as the Institutions of Eminence Scheme, RUSA, and PM-USHA, along with continued investment in public universities.
Since 2014, India has established 43 new premier institutions, including:
- 7 IITs
- 8 Central Universities
- 9 IIMs
These expansions have widened access to higher education while strengthening academic capacity nationwide.
Progress Visible, But Challenges Remain
While India's representation in global rankings has improved substantially, maintaining this momentum will require continued investment in:
- High-quality research output
- International collaborations
- Faculty development
- Innovation ecosystems
- Global academic reputation
- Student employability
Experts have consistently noted that sustained improvements in research quality and international visibility will be essential for more Indian institutions to enter the world's top 100 universities.
Key Highlights
- India now has 52 universities in QS World University Rankings 2027.
- Representation has increased from 11 institutions in 2015.
- IIT Delhi is India's highest-ranked university at 118th globally.
- Twenty-six Indian institutions improved their rankings this year.
- The Centre credits NIRF, NEP 2020 and higher education reforms for the progress.
- Continued research excellence and teaching quality remain crucial for future gains.
FAQ
How many Indian universities are featured in QS World University Rankings 2027?
A total of 52 Indian institutions are included in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
Which is India's highest-ranked university in QS 2027?
IIT Delhi is the highest-ranked Indian institution, placed 118th globally.
Why has India's representation improved?
The government attributes the growth to NIRF, NEP 2020, institutional expansion, infrastructure development and increased focus on research and academic quality.
Which institutions improved significantly besides IITs?
VIT, BITS Pilani, IIT Hyderabad and Jamia Millia Islamia were among the institutions recording notable improvements.
