NEW DELHI, Aug 12: India’s presence in global higher education rankings has expanded significantly, with the number of Indian institutions featured in the QS World University Rankings rising from 11 in 2015 to 52 in the 2027 edition, according to government data presented in Parliament.
The increase comes after the introduction of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), which has encouraged Indian higher education institutions to focus more closely on academic quality, research and institutional performance.
The latest figures indicate that the country’s international academic footprint has widened beyond the traditionally prominent Indian Institutes of Technology and other leading institutions.
According to the data, 26 Indian institutions improved their positions in the latest QS World University Rankings. The progress also reflects stronger representation from institutions outside the IIT system.
The government has linked the improvement to a series of higher education reforms, including measures introduced under the National Education Policy 2020. Greater emphasis on research, infrastructure, academic standards and internationalisation has helped institutions strengthen their global visibility.
QS has also highlighted India’s growing presence in its 2027 rankings, noting that 52 Indian universities now feature in the global table. The ranking body said the expansion has been supported by research strength and improving employer reputation across a wider range of institutions.
The rise in representation is being viewed as an indicator of India’s growing competitiveness in the international higher education landscape. Continued investment in research, faculty development and global collaborations will remain important for sustaining this momentum.