QS rankings 2027: IIT Delhi emerges as India's highest-ranked university

India has strengthened its position in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with 52 institutions making the global list and becoming the fifth most represented higher education system in the world.

The latest rankings, which assessed more than 1,500 universities across 106 countries, also saw IIT Delhi emerge as India's highest-ranked institution.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retained the top spot globally, while Stanford University moved up to share second place with Imperial College London.

Although universities from the United States and the United Kingdom continue to dominate the rankings, several Asian institutions recorded notable gains.

Among Indian universities, IIT Delhi ranked 118th globally, followed by IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

While the IITs continue to lead India's presence in the rankings, QS noted that the country's progress extends beyond these institutions.

India's representation has grown significantly over the past decade, rising from 14 ranked institutions in 2017 to 52 in 2027, a 271% increase. According to QS, this is the fastest proportional growth among G20 countries.

More than half of the previously ranked Indian universities improved their positions this year, while 18 institutions achieved their best-ever rankings.

The rankings also highlighted India's growing strength in research and employability. Eleven Indian universities feature among the world's top 100 for Citations per Faculty, while six are ranked among the global top 100 for Employer Reputation.

Overall, 26 Indian institutions improved their rankings, nine remained unchanged, 15 declined, and two entered the rankings for the first time.

QS said that India's large youth population, expanding participation in higher education, and increasing research output are contributing to its rise. The country now has the world's third-largest research output base.

IIT Delhi retained its position as India's highest-ranked institution in the QS World University Rankings 2027, climbing five places from 123rd last year to 118th globally.

The institute said the improvement matches the highest rank ever achieved by an Indian institution in the rankings.

According to IIT Delhi, its Employer Reputation ranking improved by 11 places, helping it reach 39th globally.

The institute also recorded a 60-place jump in the Employment Outcomes indicator and improved by 26 places in Citations per Faculty, reflecting stronger graduate employability and research impact.

Commenting on the achievement, Prof Somnath Baidya Roy, Dean, Planning and Head, Ranking Cell, IIT Delhi, said, "IIT Delhi remains committed to the goal of providing world-class affordable technological education and becoming a preferred destination for scholars worldwide."

He added that the institute's revised curriculum, new infrastructure, and growing international engagement are expected to further improve its global standing in the coming years.

The institute noted that it has improved by 79 positions over the last four years, moving from 197th in the QS World University Rankings 2024 to 118th in the latest edition.

Earlier, in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, IIT Delhi's Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, and Civil Engineering programs were ranked among the world's top 50.

The institute also secured 36th place globally in the Engineering and Technology category, retaining its position as India's leading institution in the field.