THE Rankings by Subject 2025: Indian universities Show Mixed Results, IISc, Delhi University Stand Out in Law, Engg, MBA

Delhi University remains a key presence in multiple categories, while IISc has excelled in Life Sciences and Physical Sciences. 87 Indian universities represented in Engineering, 53 in Computer Science, and strong performances across other fields like Social Sciences, Business, and Medicine. CHECK Detailed Rankings across 11 categories 

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject for 2025 have revealed significant developments for Indian institutions, with Delhi University (DU) making notable appearances and the older IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) continuing to boycott the rankings. As in previous years, the prestigious IITs — including Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Roorkee, Kanpur, Kharagpur, and Guwahati — have refrained from participating, thus not appearing in many critical subject-specific rankings. Despite this, DU stands out as the only Indian university present in several key subject rankings, reflecting its unique positioning in the global academic landscape.

Engineering: IITs Boycott Continues, While New Institutions Gain Recognition

In the engineering category, a total of 87 Indian universities have been ranked, but the absence of the older IITs has created a noticeable gap in India’s global representation. The category evaluates universities across five core engineering disciplines — General Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. With the boycott by the IITs, Indian institutions such as Amity University, Noida, and KIIT University have gained recognition, marking a shift in India’s engineering education narrative.

Engineering: Among Top 500 from India 

Rank Range (2025)	University Name	Score Range (Out of 100)
101–125	Indian Institute of Science	57.6–60.1
251–300	Anna University	44.7–46.6
301–400	Lovely Professional University	41.3–44.6
401–500	Jamia Millia Islamia	38.3–41.2
401–500	Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences	38.3–41.2
401–500	Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences	38.3–41.2
401–500	UPES	38.3–41.2

Computer Science: Indian Institutions Make Their Mark, IISc Shines Amidst IIT Boycott

The 2025 Computer Science rankings saw 53 Indian universities making the list, with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) topping the ranks from India, securing a place in the 101-125 band. Among other prominent names, Amity University, Noida (301-400), and Jamia Millia Islamia (301-400) secured positions in the global top 500. Check list of institutions among top 500 globally.

Rank Range (2025)	University Name	Score Range (Out of 100)
101–125	Indian Institute of Science	55.3–59.0
301–400	Amity University, Noida	41.0–45.1
301–400	Jamia Millia Islamia	41.0–45.1
301–400	Symbiosis International University	41.0–45.1
301–400	UPES	41.0–45.1
401–500	Aligarh Muslim University	37.5–40.9
401–500	Indian Institute of Technology Indore	37.5–40.9
401–500	International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad	37.5–40.9
401–500	KIIT University	37.5–40.9
401–500	Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology	37.5–40.9
401–500	VIT University	37.5–40.9

Social Sciences: India's Elite Struggle to Break Into the Top 500

In the Social Sciences category, India continues to face challenges in placing its top universities into the global top 500. Notably, institutions like DU, BHU, AMU, and Jamia Millia Islamia, all recognized as leading educational hubs in India, were ranked below 500. Despite this, they continue to play a critical role in shaping India’s academic reputation in the field of social sciences, with global academic leaders such as MIT and Oxford continuing to dominate the rankings. Check list of institutions among top 500 globally.

Rank Range	University Name	Score Range (Out of 100)
251–300	Lovely Professional University	41.2–42.9
301–400	Symbiosis International University	37.6–41.1
501–600	University of Delhi	30.9–33.5

Arts and Humanities: DU, JNU Maintain Presence, But Limited Indian Representation

When it comes to Arts and Humanities, only three Indian public universities made the cut. Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) both secured places in the 401-500 band, while Jadavpur University was ranked 601+. The rankings, led by MIT and Cambridge, reflect the continued global dominance of Western institutions in disciplines such as history, philosophy, and linguistics. DU and JNU’s inclusion showcases India’s contributions to arts and humanities despite the challenges faced in improving global rankings.

Rank Range	University Name	Score Range (Out of 100)
401–500	Jawaharlal Nehru University	26.7–30.4
401–500	University of Delhi	26.7–30.4
601+	Jadavpur University	13.8–23.6

Business and Economics: Amity, KIIT and DU Among Top 500, IIMs Missing in Action

In the Business and Economics category, a total of 24 Indian universities made it to the rankings. Among them, Amity University, Noida, KIIT University, and DU secured spots in the 401-500 range, while universities such as AMU, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Symbiosis International University were ranked between 501-600. 

Rank Range	University Name	Score Range (Out of 100)
401–500	Amity University, Noida	35.0–38.0
401–500	KIIT University	35.0–38.0
401–500	University of Delhi	35.0–38.0
401–500	UPES	35.0–38.0

Life Sciences: Indian Institutions Shine, Led by BHU and IISc

In Life Sciences, India fared better with 35 institutions making the list, including 10 in the top 500. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences were among the top performers. The Life Sciences category evaluates universities across various disciplines such as Veterinary Science, Biological Sciences, Agriculture, and Sport Science, with Harvard and Cambridge continuing to lead globally. India’s growing presence in this field signals a strong future for Indian institutions in life sciences research.

Rank Range	University Name	Score Range (Out of 100)
251–300	Banaras Hindu University	46.6–49.4
251–300	Indian Institute of Science	46.6–49.4
251–300	Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences	46.6–49.4
301–400	Aligarh Muslim University	42.0–46.5
301–400	Jamia Millia Islamia	42.0–46.5
401–500	Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani	37.8–41.8
401–500	Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati	37.8–41.8
401–500	Jamia Hamdard University	37.8–41.8
401–500	Lovely Professional University	37.8–41.8
401–500	University of Delhi	37.8–41.8

Physical Sciences: Shoolini University Tops India’s Rankings

The Physical Sciences rankings, covering disciplines like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, saw Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences securing a spot in the 201-250 range, ahead of IISc, which was placed in the 251-300 band. The rankings also featured universities like Lovely Professional University and Jamia Millia Islamia in the 301-400 range, showing India’s increasing presence in these critical scientific areas. Check list of institutions among top 500 globally.

Rank Range	University Name	Score Range (Out of 100)
201–250	Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences	49.7–52.5
251–300	Indian Institute of Science	47.1–49.6
251–300	Lovely Professional University	47.1–49.6
301–400	Jamia Millia Islamia	42.4–46.9
501–600	Alagappa University	36.6–39.6
501–600	Amity University, Noida	36.6–39.6
501–600	GLA University	36.6–39.6
501–600	Indian Institute of Technology Indore	36.6–39.6
501–600	Indian Institute of Technology Patna	36.6–39.6
501–600	Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education	36.6–39.6
501–600	Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology	36.6–39.6
501–600	VIT University	36.6–39.6

Medical and Health Sciences: Saveetha Institute Leads, But Gaps Remain

In the Medical and Health Sciences category, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences emerged as India’s top-ranked institution, placed between 251-300. Other institutions like Banaras Hindu University (301-400) and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani (301-400) also made significant contributions to India’s presence in the rankings. However, with only 9 Indian institutions in the global top 500, India still faces challenges in breaking into the top ranks of global medical education.

Rank Range	University Name	Score Range (Out of 100)
251–300	Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences	43.7–46.2
301–400	Banaras Hindu University	39.4–43.6
301–400	Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani	39.4–43.6
301–400	Lovely Professional University	39.4–43.6
301–400	Manipal Academy of Higher Education	39.4–43.6
301–400	Panjab University	39.4–43.6
401–500	Amity University, Noida	35.5–39.3
401–500	Jamia Millia Islamia	35.5–39.3
401–500	Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences	35.5–39.3

Psychology: Delhi University Stands Alone

Delhi University is the only Indian institution ranked in the Psychology category, securing a place in the 401-500 band. The rankings, dominated by Stanford, Cambridge, and Princeton, showcase the continued global excellence in psychology education, with DU’s inclusion highlighting India’s emerging role in this field.

Education and Law: DU Shines in Limited Fields

In the Education Studies and Law categories, Delhi University continues to stand out as the only Indian institution ranked, with DU securing spots in the 501-600 band for Education Studies and 301+ for Law.

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