In the latest QS World University Rankings 2025, Indian higher education institutions have made significant strides, with two prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) - Bombay and Delhi - making impressive leaps. IIT Bombay has climbed an impressive 31 places, securing the 118th position globally. This ascent is attributed to the institution's remarkable improvements in research quality and reputation. Over the past six years, IIT Bombay has witnessed a notable enhancement in its Employer Reputation ranking, now standing at 63rd globally, and its Citations per Faculty rank, now at 116th. While excelling in Academic Reputation nationally, the institution aims to bolster its internationalization metrics for greater global recognition.
Similarly, IIT Delhi has surged 47 places to claim the 150th position globally. The institute's remarkable rise can be attributed to its enhanced research impact and network indicators. With a substantial increase in research output and citations, IIT Delhi stands as India's fifth most productive research institution. Like its counterpart in Bombay, IIT Delhi's research efforts predominantly focus on Engineering & Technology and Natural Sciences, with a significant portion of its output published in top-tier academic journals.
The QS World University Rankings 2025 also highlight India's growing presence in global higher education. With 46 Indian universities featured, the Indian Higher Education system ranks as the seventh most represented globally and the third in Asia. Notably, the University of Delhi and Anna University have debuted in the world's top 400, marking a significant milestone for Indian academia.
India's remarkable progress in research influence is underscored by its performance in the Citations per Faculty indicator, where it surpasses the global average. Thirteen Indian universities feature among the world’s top 200, with Anna University and the Indian Institute of Science securing remarkable positions. Additionally, India's score for the International Research Network has seen a significant improvement, indicating efforts toward fostering global collaborations.
Anna University leads in Citations per Faculty globally, highlighting the institution's research impact. The University of Delhi stands out in Employment Outcomes, emphasizing the employability of its graduates. IIT Bombay excels in Employer and Academic Reputation, while IIT Delhi and the Indian Institute of Science maintain a strong presence in Academic Reputation. Other notable mentions include OP Jindal Global University for Faculty Student Ratio and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences for International Student Ratio.
While Indian institutions celebrate their achievements, globally renowned universities like MIT and Imperial College London maintain their positions at the top. MIT continues its reign as the highest-ranked institution, with Imperial College London surpassing Oxford and Cambridge to secure second place globally. Jessica Turner, QS Chief Executive, commends the evolving landscape of global higher education, emphasizing India's growing prominence. With 46 ranked universities and a significant improvement in rank positions, India's commitment to modernizing its education system, as evidenced by the National Education Policy (NEP), is poised to propel Indian academia to greater heights.
