KKN Gurugram Desk | The QS World University Rankings for 2026 have been released, and there has been a significant development for Indian institutes in this year’s list. After a long wait of eight years, IIT Delhi has emerged as the highest-ranked Indian institution, securing the 123rd position in the world. This marks a remarkable improvement of 27 places from its previous rank of 150th in the 2025 QS rankings. Notably, this is the first time in eight years that IIT Delhi has surpassed IIT Bombay, which had consistently been the top-ranked Indian institute for the past decade.

In contrast, IIT Bombay has seen a drop of 11 positions, now ranking at 129th. This shift marks a significant change in the standings of India’s premier institutions. Historically, IIT Bombay had been ranked in the top 100 in the QS rankings, but this year it failed to maintain that status. Last year, IIT Bombay held the 118th position, placing it just outside the top 100, but still significantly ahead of other Indian institutes.

While no Indian institution has yet made it to the top 100 globally, the improvements in the rankings of several Indian institutes are noteworthy. This year, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Kharagpur have also earned places in the QS World University Rankings, signaling India’s growing presence in global higher education.

QS World University Rankings 2026: Indian Institutes Performance

Here’s a closer look at the ranking of Indian institutions in the QS World University Rankings 2026:

• 123rd – IIT Delhi

• 129th – IIT Bombay

• 180th – IIT Madras

• 215th – IIT Kharagpur

• 219th – IISc Bangalore

• 222nd – IIT Kanpur

• 328th – University of Delhi

• 334th – IIT Guwahati

• 339th – IIT Roorkee

• 465th – Anna University

This year, IIT Delhi has climbed to 123rd, leaving behind IIT Bombay, which had been the top-ranked Indian institution in the QS rankings for nearly a decade. The ranking of IIT Delhi is its highest in the QS World University Rankings, and it signifies a growing recognition of the institution on the global stage. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore is ranked 219th, while IIT Madras comes in at 180th. Other institutions like IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Roorkee also show strong performances, reflecting the global reach and impact of Indian higher education.

Global Institutions and the Top Rankings

The QS World University Rankings 2026 continue to be led by some of the world’s most prestigious educational institutions. For the 14th consecutive year, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has maintained its position at #1, followed by:

1. Imperial College London

2. Stanford University

3. Oxford University

4. Harvard University

These institutions have consistently held their positions as the top global universities, with MIT continuing to dominate as the leader in global rankings.

The United States maintains its position as the country with the most universities in the top ranks, with 192 universities represented. The United Kingdom follows with 90 universities, and China has 72 universities in the global rankings. India, with 54 institutions making it to the list, holds the 4th position, after these three countries, reflecting a significant presence of Indian institutions in global education rankings.

Key Factors Contributing to IIT Delhi’s Rise in the QS Rankings

The rise of IIT Delhi in the 2026 QS rankings is a result of its improved performance across multiple key metrics:

1. Employer Reputation (+23 places) – IIT Delhi has seen a notable improvement in its employer reputation score, which reflects the demand for its graduates in the global job market.

2. Faculty Citations (+40 places) – The citation index, which measures the impact of academic research, has seen a significant increase, reflecting IIT Delhi’s growing influence in global academic circles.

3. Employer Results (+21 places) – The improved employer outcomes are a direct reflection of the quality and preparedness of IIT Delhi graduates for the workforce.

4. Sustainability and Social Impact – IIT Delhi has made strides in integrating sustainability into its curriculum and research, which has positively impacted its global rankings.

The improvements in these areas helped IIT Delhi secure its current 123rd rank, marking a positive trajectory for the institution in the coming years.

IIT Bombay’s Decline: A Closer Look

On the other hand, IIT Bombay has seen a drop of 11 positions, now ranked at 129th. While this is still a respectable position, it marks a departure from its consistent place among India’s top-ranked institutions. IIT Bombay had been in the top 100 for the past several years and had consistently been one of the top-performing institutions globally. The dip in its ranking could be attributed to various factors, including increased competition and changes in some key metrics.

Despite this drop, IIT Bombay remains one of the leading institutions in India and continues to be recognized for its innovative research and engineering programs.

The Growing Presence of IITs in Global Rankings

The inclusion of IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Kharagpur in the QS World University Rankings is a positive sign for Indian higher education. This growing representation of IITs in the rankings demonstrates India’s increasing influence on the global academic stage. As India continues to prioritize higher education reforms, research, and global collaborations, these institutions are expected to improve further in the coming years.

Future Prospects for Indian Universities in QS Rankings

Looking ahead, Indian institutions are poised to make further gains in global rankings. With increased investment in research and development, better faculty recruitment, and a focus on international collaborations, institutions like IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IISc Bangalore are likely to continue improving their positions in future QS rankings.

While no Indian institution has yet broken into the top 100, the improving trends indicate that Indian higher education is on the right path. As global collaboration and innovation in education continue to grow, India’s leading universities are expected to gain further recognition for their academic excellence and research contributions.

The QS World University Rankings 2026 have shown significant progress for IIT Delhi, marking it as the top-ranked Indian institution for the first time in years. While IIT Bombay has seen a decline, the growing recognition of other Indian institutions such as IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Kharagpur signals a bright future for Indian higher education on the global stage.

As India continues to invest in its education system, the country’s institutions are expected to rise in international rankings, showcasing India’s growing influence in global academia.