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54 Indian Universities in QS World Rankings 2026: IIT Delhi Tops at 123rd

India’s higher education sector has achieved a remarkable milestone with 54 institutions securing a place in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised this achievement, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening research and innovation for students.

Key Highlights of QS World University Rankings 2026
1. India’s Strong Presence in Global Rankings
India is now the 4th most represented country in the QS rankings, trailing only the USA, UK, and China.
A total of 54 Indian institutions were ranked, up from just 11 in 2014—a five-fold increase in a decade.
IIT Delhi leads the pack at 123rd position, followed by IIT Bombay (129) and IIT Madras (180).

2. Major Improvements in Rankings
48% of Indian universities improved their rankings compared to last year.
IIT Delhi jumped from 150th (2025) to 123rd (2026)—a significant leap.
Eight new Indian universities debuted in the rankings, including Ashoka University, Lovely Professional University, and Shiv Nadar University.

3. Government’s Role in Education Growth
PM Modi credited the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for revolutionizing India’s education system.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the transformative reforms that boosted India’s global standing.

4. Other Top-Ranked Indian Institutions
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore – 219th
University of Delhi – 328th
Anna University – 465th
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) – 558th
Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) – 691st

5. What Factors Influence QS Rankings?
Academic reputation (feedback from 1.51 lakh academics)
Employer reputation (inputs from 1 lakh employers)
Research citations (analysis of 16 million academic papers)
International student diversity (a new parameter in 2026 rankings)

Sample Questions & Answers for Competitive Exams
Q1. Which Indian university secured the highest rank in QS World University Rankings 2026?
Ans: IIT Delhi secured the highest rank at 123rd position.
Q2. How many Indian institutions were ranked in QS 2026?
Ans: 54 Indian institutions were featured in the rankings.
Q3. What was India’s position in terms of representation in QS rankings?
Ans: India was the 4th most represented country, after the USA, UK, and China.
Q4. Which new Indian universities debuted in QS 2026 rankings?
Ans: New entrants include Ashoka University, Lovely Professional University, and Shiv Nadar University.
Q5. What policy did PM Modi credit for India’s improvement in education rankings?
Ans: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was credited for transforming India’s education sector.