IISc and five IITs in Asia's top 100, but all six slip in QS rankings
IISc Bengaluru and five IITs feature among Asia's top 100 universities in the latest QS Asia University Rankings, but every one of the six has fallen several places since last year.
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and five Indian Institutes of Technology have secured places among Asia's top 100 universities in the latest QS Asia University Rankings, announced on 3 November. All six institutions have slipped several places since last year, with IIT Delhi remaining India's highest-ranked university at 66th in Asia.
Six Indian institutions in the top 100
According to London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), IIT Delhi continued to be India's highest-ranked university, securing the 66th position in Asia despite dropping seven places from last year's 59th rank. IISc Bengaluru recorded the second-highest position among Indian institutions, falling to 79th from 64th last year.
IIT Bombay slipped to 83rd from 71st, while IIT Madras dropped to 85th from 70th. IIT Kharagpur fell to 90th from 77th, while IIT Kanpur slipped to 97th from 77th, according to the rankings. Overall, all six of India's highest-ranked institutions registered a decline in their positions compared with last year.
India's wider showing
India remained Asia's second most represented higher education system, with 325 ranked universities, including 34 new entrants, behind only mainland China. The rankings covered more than 1,722 universities from 26 higher education systems, with 195 new entrants overall, and India increased its representation in Asia's top 200 from 20 universities to 21.
Not every Indian institution held its ground. The University of Delhi slipped out of the top 100, falling to 106th from 95th last year. Deccan Herald reported that more than 70 per cent of all Indian universities in the list saw a dip in their rankings.
Where India leads
One area where Indian universities led Asia was research output per faculty member, with 27 universities featuring in the top 50 under the Papers per Faculty criteria and five in the top 10, more than any other higher education system. Additionally, 15 Indian universities shared first place for the Staff with PhD category, more than double the total of the next strongest-performing system.
QS vice president Ashwin Fernandes said India's higher education system is expanding rapidly, and that the results show the strength of its research output, doctoral capacity and the reputation of its leading universities among employers. The edition released on 3 November is identified by Deccan Herald as the QS World University Rankings (Asia) 2027.
Editorial disclosure
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Frequently asked questions
Which Indian university ranks highest in Asia in the latest QS rankings?
IIT Delhi, at 66th in Asia. It remains India's highest-ranked university even after slipping seven places from 59th last year.
Which six Indian institutions are in Asia's top 100?
IIT Delhi (66th), IISc Bengaluru (79th), IIT Bombay (83rd), IIT Madras (85th), IIT Kharagpur (90th) and IIT Kanpur (97th).
Did any Indian university drop out of the top 100?
Yes. The University of Delhi fell to 106th from 95th last year, slipping out of the top 100.