Indian Universities Rise in QS Rankings 2026 – IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay Among Global Elite

Key Highlights of QS World University Rankings 2026
1. Indian Institutes Show Remarkable Growth
IIT Delhi jumps 27 places to rank 123rd globally, making it India’s top institution.
IIT Bombay secures the 129th position, while IIT Madras surges 47 spots to 180th.
IISc Bangalore and IIT Kharagpur hold strong positions within the top 220.
University of Delhi maintains its rank at 328th, showcasing stability.

2. India’s Global Standing Improves
India now has 54 universities in the rankings, making it the 4th most represented country after the USA, UK, and China.
8 new Indian institutions were added this year—the highest for any country.
IIT Delhi outperforms 91% of global universities in Employer Reputation, Citations, and Academic Reputation.

3. MIT Retains Global #1 Spot
MIT (USA) remains the world’s best university for the 14th consecutive year.
Imperial College London (2nd) and Stanford University (3rd) follow closely.
China’s Tsinghua University (17th) and Peking University (14th) continue their upward trajectory.

4. Other Notable Global Trends
Germany reverses its decline, with more universities rising in rank.
Politecnico di Milano (Italy) enters the top 100 for the first time at 98th.
Hong Kong SAR is the 2nd most improved higher education system globally.


Sample Questions & Answers for Competitive Exams
1. Which Indian university ranked highest in the QS World University Rankings 2026?
Answer: IIT Delhi (123rd globally) is the top-ranked Indian institution.
2. How many Indian universities are featured in the QS Rankings 2026?
Answer: 54 Indian universities are included, making India the 4th most represented country.
3. Which university has been ranked #1 globally for 14 consecutive years?
Answer: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA holds the top position.
4. Which IIT showed the biggest improvement in rankings this year?
Answer: IIT Madras jumped 47 places, moving from 227th to 180th.
5. Which country has the highest number of universities in the QS Rankings 2026?
Answer: The USA (192 universities) leads, followed by the UK (90) and China (72).