India’s Top Institutes Shine in QS World University Rankings 2025

IIT Delhi leads Indian charge globally, five institutes rank among top 100 in Employer Reputation

India has marked a significant presence in the QS World University Rankings 2025, with several of its premier institutions improving their global standings, especially in employer reputation and research output. The rankings, released recently, reflect both the growing academic influence and international competitiveness of Indian higher education.

IIT Delhi: India’s Top Performer Globally
IIT Delhi emerged as the top-ranked Indian institute globally, securing the 123rd position — a sharp rise from 150 in 2025 and 197 in 2024. It also made an impressive mark in key metrics:

• 50th globally in Employer Reputation, highlighting its graduates’ high demand
• 86th in Citations per Faculty, a measure of research impact
• 142nd in Academic Reputation, which reflects peer-reviewed academic quality

IIT Bombay, which had led the Indian rankings in 2024, saw a slight drop to 129th, down from 118th last year. Despite this, it remains a strong contender in the global academic space, thanks to consistent performance in research and industry links.

IIT Madras made the most dramatic improvement, leaping 47 places to rank 180th, up from 227 in 2025. This jump is attributed to strategic academic collaborations, strong research funding, and an enhanced global footprint.

Other Leading Indian Institutions

• IIT Kharagpur stands at 215th, maintaining its steady position in global rankings.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, known for its strong research credentials, ranked 219th.
• Delhi University, a leader among traditional universities, was placed at 328th, reflecting its strong employer connections and wide alumni network.

Private Universities Hold Ground
Among private institutions, BITS Pilani was ranked 668th, continuing its reputation for engineering and technology excellence. O.P. Jindal Global University entered the 851–900 bracket, cementing its place as India’s leading liberal arts and law-focused institution.

India in Global Context

• Five Indian institutions featured among the top 100 in Employer Reputation, underlining the industry-readiness of Indian graduates.
• Eight Indian universities made it to the top 100 globally for Citations per Faculty, with an average score of 43.7, showcasing the research output and global relevance of Indian academics.

Global Highlights
The 2025 edition of the QS rankings saw Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retain its position as the world’s number one university for the 13th consecutive year. It was followed by Imperial College London and University of Oxford, indicating a shift in top positions dominated by UK institutions this year.

India’s steady rise in global university rankings signals the impact of the National Education Policy (NEP) reforms, growing international collaborations, and increased focus on research and innovation. The performance of both public and private institutions indicates a broad-based transformation in Indian higher education.

Disclaimer:
This news article is based on publicly available data from the QS World University Rankings 2025 and related institutional releases. Rankings are subject to change based on methodology revisions or future updates by QS. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to refer to the official QS rankings website or individual university communications for detailed and final information. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the positions of the institutions mentioned or of QS Quacquarelli Symonds.