Indian Universities See 318% Rise in QS World University Rankings Since 2015

In a significant achievement for India's education sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted the country's remarkable progress in global university rankings. 

Over the past decade, India has focused on qualitative changes in its education system, resulting in a 318% increase in university representation among G20 nations in the QS World University Rankings. 

This impressive growth saw the number of Indian universities in the rankings rise from 11 in 2015 to 46 in 2025.

Prime Minister Modi took to social media to congratulate the students, faculty, and institutions for their dedication and hard work. 

He reiterated his government's commitment to further boosting research and innovation during his third term, acknowledging the critical role education plays in the nation's development.

Among the standout performers in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) jumped 31 spots to secure the 118th position globally. 

Similarly, IIT-Delhi climbed 47 ranks to be placed at 150th. Overall, 61% of Indian universities improved their rankings, 24% maintained their positions, and only 9% saw a decline.

On the global stage, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retained its top spot for the 13th consecutive year. Imperial College London surpassed both Oxford and Cambridge to become the highest-ranked UK institution, securing second place globally. 

The University of Oxford, Harvard University, and the University of Cambridge rounded out the top five.

Jessica Turner, the QS chief executive, emphasized the importance of India's National Education Policy in modernizing the education system and preparing students for future challenges. 

She highlighted the significance of sustainability, global engagement, and employability in shaping India's higher education landscape.

India also improved in research influence, as evidenced by its performance in the ‘Citations per Faculty’ indicator, a measure of research impact. 

With a score of 37.8, India surpassed the global average of 23.5, securing the second-highest position in Asia among higher education systems with more than 10 ranked universities, trailing only China (Mainland). 

Notably, thirteen Indian universities featured among the world's top 200, including Anna University and the Indian Institute of Science, which ranked second and eleventh globally in this indicator, respectively.

India's highest average score by indicator was in the 'International Research Network,' with a score of 39. 

However, the country faces challenges in internationalization, scoring low in the 'International Faculty Ratio' and 'International Student Ratio' indicators. 

Additionally, India lags in the 'Faculty/Student' ratio and has below-average scores in 'Employment Outcomes' and 'Sustainability.'

Despite these challenges, the growth and improvement of Indian universities in the QS World University Rankings is a testament to the country's efforts in enhancing its education system. 

The increase in university representation and improved research impact highlight the strides India is making in higher education. 

As the nation continues to focus on innovation and quality, the future looks promising for Indian institutions on the global stage.

This substantial progress underscores the importance of continued investment in education and research. 

By addressing the areas of internationalization and faculty/student ratios, India can further bolster its position in global university rankings and ensure that its education system remains competitive and robust.

In conclusion, the 318% rise in QS World University Rankings since 2015 is a significant milestone for India, showcasing the dedication and hard work of its academic community. 

With ongoing efforts to enhance research, innovation, and global engagement, Indian universities are poised to achieve even greater heights in the coming years.