QS World University Rankings Showcase India’s Growing Influence and Academic Prowess
In a testament to India’s burgeoning academic landscape, 69 Indian universities have clinched positions in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by subject, with a collective total of 424 entries. This remarkable achievement reflects a notable 19.4% surge from the previous year, where 66 universities secured 355 entries.
Standing tall as the second most represented country in Asia, India’s educational institutions have demonstrated significant prowess, closely following mainland China, which boasts 101 ranked universities. Among these, eleven of the twelve institutes of eminence (IoE) have made substantial contributions, accounting for 40% of the nation’s total entries—amounting to a commendable 180. Notably, these institutions have captured 47 of the top 100 Indian positions and 14 out of 21 positions across 55 academic disciplines and five faculty areas in the latest edition of the rankings.
Leading the charge in this academic accolade are renowned institutions such as the University of Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, with 30, 28, and 27 entries respectively, in the latest rankings.
According to Jessica Turner, CEO at QS, this achievement underlines India’s progress in providing high-quality tertiary education amidst burgeoning demand. Turner further emphasized the positive role played by well-regulated private institutions in enhancing India’s higher education sector.
Jawaharlal Nehru University emerged as India’s highest-ranked university in development studies, securing the 20th position globally—an impressive feat for the institution. Following closely are Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, debuting at 22nd position for business & management studies, and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, which secured the 24th spot globally in dentistry, achieving a perfect score (100/100) in one of the QS indicators.
India’s strides in research capabilities are underscored by a 20% improvement in the citations per paper indicator and a 16% growth in the international research network indicator. Noteworthy is the Indian School of Mines (ISM) University, clinching the 44th position in engineering-mineral & mining, and standing out for its academic reputation—a testament to India’s growing prominence in academia.
Furthermore, six Indian universities ranked among the world’s top 10 for employer reputation in specific subjects, showcasing the trust and recognition garnered by Indian institutions on a global scale.
Despite these achievements, experts stress the need for continued efforts to improve standards, access to higher education, digital readiness, and global competitiveness. Ben Sowter, QS senior vice president, highlighted the importance of prioritizing high-quality, impactful research and its dissemination within the academic community to further propel India’s academic ascendancy.
The QS World University Rankings by subject serve as a testament to India’s growing influence and academic prowess, positioning the nation as a formidable force in the global educational landscape.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 (including broad faculty areas)
| Declared Institute of Eminence | 2024 entries |
| University of Delhi | 30 |
| IIT Bombay | 28 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 27 |
| IIT Madras | 22 |
| IIT Delhi | 19 |
| Indian Institute of Science | 18 |
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science | 10 |
| Banaras Hindu University | 9 |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education | 8 |
| University of Hyderabad | 7 |
| O P Jindal Global University | 2 |
| Shiv Nadar University | 0 |
