PM Modi Hails Improved Indian University Rankings, Pledges Continued Educational Reforms

The QS World University Rankings 2025 highlight significant advancements for Indian institutions, with 11 universities making it into the top 500.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his dedication to implementing qualitative changes in India's education sector, expressing satisfaction with the improved performance of Indian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Responding to Nunzio Quacquarelli, CEO and Managing Director of QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd, about the continued progress of Indian universities, PM Modi shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter): “Over the last decade, we have focused on qualitative changes in the education sector. This is reflected in the QS World University Rankings. Compliments to the students, faculty and institutions for their hard work and dedication. In this term, we want to do even more to boost research and innovation."

Indian Institutions Climb QS World University Rankings 2025

The QS World University Rankings 2025 highlight 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)

118th: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) - Score: 56.3 (Up from 149th, Score: 51.7)

150th: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) - Score: 52.1 (Up from 197th, Score: 46.1)

211th: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc) - Score: 45.0 (Up from 225th, Score: 42.1)

222nd: Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) - Score: 43.7 (Up from 271st, Score: 37.4)

227th: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) - Score: 43.5 (Up from 285th, Score: 36.1)

263rd: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) - Score: 39.3 (Up from 278th, Score: 36.9)

328th: University of Delhi - Score: 33.8 (Up from 407th, Score: 27.4)

335th: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) - Score: 33.4 (Up from 369th, Score: 30.0)

344th: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) - Score: 32.9 (Up from 364th, Score: 30.3)

383rd: Anna University, Chennai - Score: 30.6 (Up from 427th, Score: 26.5)

477th: Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IITI) - Score: 25.1 (Down from 454th, Score: 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, stated, "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."

Emerging Institutions

University of Delhi and Anna University have 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.

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.