India's higher education system has achieved a milestone in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026, with seven Indian institutes securing positions among Asia's top 100 universities.
The QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 revealed a surge in Indian university participation. From just 24 universities featured in 2016, India now has 294 institutions in the rankings, a twelve-fold increase in one decade.
This positions India as the second-largest contributor to the list, trailing only China's 395 institutions. This growth demonstrates the expanding capacity and improving quality standards of the Indian higher education system.
Among the best Indian universities featured in the top 100, the IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) dominate the landscape. Indian Institute of Technology Delhi emerged as India's top performer, securing the 59th position in Asia and maintaining its status as the country's leading institution for the fifth consecutive year. This performance by IIT-Delhi underscores the institute's commitment to academic standards and research innovation.
The other Indian institutions in the top 100 include four additional IITs, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, and Delhi University (DU). These institutions have established themselves as centers of academic excellence, producing research and graduates who contribute to innovation and development.
Additionally, 36 Indian universities improved their ranking this year, with Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology seeing the largest improvement—rising 111 places to rank 262nd.
A notable achievement highlighted in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 is India's performance in the Papers per Faculty indicator. This metric measures research productivity and demonstrates the quality of scholarly output relative to faculty size. India has achieved success with:
- 5 universities ranked among Asia's top 10 in this category
- 28 universities featured among the top 50
This performance in research output reflects the emphasis on research and innovation within the Indian higher education system. Faculty members across Indian universities are producing academic papers that contribute to knowledge and address challenges facing society.
Government Measures to Improve University Rankings
The Indian government has implemented several measures specifically aimed at improving the performance of Indian institutions in international rankings:
Increased Funding and Autonomy: The government has increased financial allocation to premier institutions through schemes like the Institutions of Eminence (IoE), which provides up to ₹1,000 crore to public institutions over five years. This funding supports research infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and international collaborations.
Graded Autonomy for Higher Education Institutions: The University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced graded autonomy in 2018, allowing high-performing institutions greater freedom in academic, administrative, and financial matters. This enables institutions to respond to ranking parameters more effectively.
Focus on Research and Innovation: The government established the National Research Foundation (NRF) with a budget of ₹50,000 crore over five years to strengthen India's research ecosystem. This initiative directly addresses ranking indicators related to research output and citations.
Faculty Development Programs: Various schemes including Faculty Development Centers (FDCs) and Faculty Recharge Programs have been launched to enhance teaching quality and research capabilities, directly impacting faculty-student ratio and staff qualification metrics in rankings.
International Collaborations: The government has promoted international partnerships through initiatives like Study in India, Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN), and bilateral agreements with foreign universities. These collaborations improve the international research network indicator in rankings.
Infrastructure Development: The Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) was established to mobilize funds for infrastructure development in premier institutions, addressing critical gaps that affect ranking parameters.
Quality Assurance Mechanisms: The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has revised its accreditation framework to align with international standards, encouraging institutions to meet benchmarks that improve their ranking positions.
Several initiatives have contributed to India's performance in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 and improvement in the higher education system:
National Education Policy 2020: The National Education Policy 2020 represents a shift in Indian education. This policy aims to make education holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, and competitive. Key features include multidisciplinary education, credit-based systems, increased autonomy for institutions, and emphasis on research and innovation. The policy aims to increase India's gross enrollment ratio in higher education to 50% by 2035. The policy's impact is visible in the improved rankings and increased research output of Indian universities.
Institutions of Eminence (IoE) Scheme: Launched in 2017, this scheme identifies and supports select Indian universities to achieve world-class status. By providing autonomy, resources, and flexibility, the IoE scheme enables institutions to compete and attract talent.
Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA): Initiated in 2013, RUSA focuses on improving access, equity, and quality in state universities. This program addresses regional disparities and ensures that quality higher education reaches students across India.
SWAYAM Platform: This Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) platform provides access to quality education by offering free online courses from top Indian universities. SWAYAM has expanded learning opportunities and supported skill development.
Domestic Frameworks Supporting University Excellence
India has established domestic frameworks to monitor and improve the quality of its higher education system:
National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF): Launched in 2015 by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, NIRF provides rankings of Indian institutions across various categories. This framework has created competition among universities and driven quality improvements.
All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE): Operating since 2010-11, AISHE collects data on teachers, student enrollment, academic programs, examination results, education finance, and infrastructure. This approach enables evidence-based policy making and resource allocation.
Conclusion
The QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 results represent a milestone for India's academic community. The presence of seven Indian institutes among Asia's top 100, led by IIT-Delhi's performance, validates the reforms and investments made in higher education over the past decade. The growth from 24 to 294 ranked institutions demonstrates both quantitative expansion and qualitative improvement.
The government's focused measures—including increased funding, graded autonomy, research promotion, and international collaborations—have created an enabling environment for institutions to improve their rankings. As IITs, DUs, and other premier institutions continue to enhance their research output, international collaborations, and teaching quality, India's position in rankings will strengthen.
With sustained policy support, adequate funding, and focus on excellence, Indian universities are positioned to emerge as leaders in higher education, contributing to India's knowledge economy and competitiveness. The journey toward academic excellence is ongoing, but these rankings confirm that Indian higher education is moving in the right direction, creating opportunities for students and contributing to the nation's development.
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FAQs: Indian Universities in QS Asia Rankings 2026
1. How many Indian institutes are in Asia's top 100 QS rankings 2026?
Ans. Seven Indian institutes.
2. Which Indian university ranked highest in QS Asia Rankings 2026?
Ans. IIT Delhi at 59th position.
3. How many Indian universities are featured in QS Asia Rankings 2026?
Ans. 294 universities total.
4. What is India's rank by number of universities in QS Asia Rankings?
Ans. Second after China.
5. What is India's higher education enrollment target by 2035?
Ans. 50% gross enrollment ratio.