IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IISc Lead India's Surge in QS World University Rankings 2025

Analysis of QS World University Rankings 2025 for Indian Institutions

The QS World University Rankings 2025 have highlighted significant advancements for Indian institutions, with 11 universities making it into the top 500. This marks a noticeable improvement from the previous year's rankings, showcasing the increasing global competitiveness of Indian higher education institutions.

Key Rankings and Improvements (Top 500)

Rank 2025	Institution	2025 Score	2024 Rank	2024 Score
118	Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IITB)	56.3	149	51.7
150	Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IITD)	52.1	197	46.1
211	Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc)	45.0	225	42.1
222	Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-KGP)	43.7	271	37.4
227	Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM)	43.5	285	36.1
263	Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK)	39.3	278	36.9
328	University of Delhi, Delhi	33.8	407	27.4
335	Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IITR)	33.4	369	30.0
344	Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG)	32.9	364	30.3
383	Anna University, Chennai	30.6	427	26.5
477	Indian Institute of Technology, Indore (IITI)	25.1	454	25.2

Highlights and Key Observations

Top Performer: IIT Bombay

IIT Bombay has achieved the highest rank among Indian institutions, moving from 149th to 118th position globally with an improved score of 56.3.

Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, remarked, “It is my pleasure that IIT Bombay has risen by 31 places. This is the achievement of the team of faculty, students, and staff all together. We aspire to improve ourselves further.”

Significant Gains: IIT Delhi

IIT Delhi has moved up 47 places, from 197th to 150th, showcasing substantial improvements in its global standing.

The institution ranks among the top 100 in Employer Reputation, indicating strong industry ties and employability of its graduates.

Consistent Improvement: IIT Guwahati

IIT Guwahati has advanced 20 places, now standing at 344th globally. The institute's consistent rise in rankings over the years is attributed to its robust research citations per faculty, ranked 42nd globally, indicating high research impact and quality.

Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, expressed his delight over the institute’s performance, stating, "This year-on-year improvement in IIT Guwahati’s global ranking is a testament to the relentless dedication and hard work of our faculty, students, and staff. Our commitment to excellence in education, research, and innovation continues to drive us forward. We are proud of this achievement and remain focused on further enhancing our global standing and contributing to the advancement of knowledge and technology."

Emerging Institutions

University of Delhi and Anna University have also shown notable improvements, indicating a broader trend of rising educational standards across a diverse set of Indian universities.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the improvements, the challenge of internationalization remains significant for Indian institutions. Increasing global collaboration, enhancing faculty diversity, and improving international student intake are essential steps for further progress.

Institutions like IIT Guwahati emphasize the need for addressing these challenges to enhance their global ranking further.

Conclusion

The QS World University Rankings 2025 reflect a positive trajectory for Indian institutions in the global education landscape. With IIT Bombay leading the pack and others like IIT Delhi and IIT Guwahati making significant strides, the focus on academic excellence, research output, and industry collaboration is clearly paying off. Addressing the internationalization challenges will be crucial for sustaining and enhancing this upward trend in the coming years.