Explore the QS World University Rankings 2026 QS with full global and India-specific lists. See how Indian universities and private institutions performed in the QS World University Rankings 2026 QS.
theIAShub | 25 Jun, 2025 | 3941 | 0 |
The QS World University Rankings 2026 have officially been released, offering a fresh look at the performance of global universities across multiple indicators such as academic reputation, research impact, employability, and international outlook. With over 1,500 universities from 106 countries ranked, this year’s list highlights major shifts and emerging trends in global education. For India, the rankings bring remarkable news—54 universities have made it to the list, a five-fold increase since 2015.
Among them are both public powerhouses like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and rising private universities such as KIIT and Ashoka University. The QS World University Rankings 2026 also introduces new indicators like International Student Diversity, giving deeper insights into global engagement. As more Indian institutions rise in global stature, these rankings reflect a growing recognition of the country’s academic strength and potential to shape the future of higher education worldwide.
This year’s rankings include 1,501 universities from 106 countries. India has made a significant mark, with 54 institutions featured—a five-fold jump from 2015 when only 11 were ranked.
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MIT (USA) has once again secured the top position, followed by Imperial College London and Stanford University. The rankings are based on a wide range of factors, including academic reputation, employer reputation, research strength, and international outlook.
Here are the top 10 universities as per the QS World University Rankings 2026 QS:
| 2026 Rank | Institution | Country | Change from 2025 |
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA | 0 |
| 2 | Imperial College London | UK | 0 |
| 3 | Stanford University | USA | +3 |
| 4 | University of Oxford | UK | -1 |
| 5 | Harvard University | USA | -1 |
| 6 | University of Cambridge | UK | -1 |
| 7 | ETH Zurich | Switzerland | 0 |
| 8 | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore | 0 |
| 9 | University College London (UCL) | UK | 0 |
| 10 | California Institute of Technology | USA | 0 |
This table highlights the stability among the top institutions in the QS World University Rankings 2026 QS, with Stanford showing the biggest improvement.
India’s performance in the QS World University Rankings 2026 QS has been its best yet. With 54 institutions ranked, India is now the fourth most represented country, only behind the US, UK, and China.
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| University Name | Notable Achievement |
| KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) | Top private university in Odisha; 9th among Indian private universities |
| Ashoka University | New entrant in 2026 rankings |
| Lovely Professional University (LPU) | New entrant |
| Shiv Nadar University | Newly ranked |
| CHRIST (Deemed to be University) | Entered QS list for the first time |
These universities are gaining recognition in the QS World University Rankings 2026 QS due to strong research, global collaborations, and quality education.
Here are the highest-ranked Indian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026 QS:
| Rank in India | Institution | Global Rank in 2026 | Previous Rank |
| 1 | IIT Delhi | 123 | 150 |
| 2 | IIT Bombay | 129 | 118 |
| 3 | IIT Madras | 180 | 227 |
| 4 | IISc Bangalore | In top 250 | NA |
| 5 | IIT Kanpur | In top 250 | NA |
| 6 | IIT Kharagpur | In top 300 | NA |
IIT Delhi leads the Indian charge in the QS World University Rankings 2026 QS, followed closely by IIT Bombay and IIT Madras. Notably, IIT Madras jumped 47 spots this year.
The QS World University Rankings 2026 QS is based on a robust methodology that includes new and existing indicators such as:
| Category | Weightage |
| Research and Discovery | 50% |
| Employability and Outcomes | 20% |
| Global Engagement | 15% |
| Learning Experience | 10% |
| Sustainability | 5% |
This structured approach helps ensure the QS World University Rankings 2026 QS remains accurate and relevant.
Check below the important highlights of the QS World University Rankings 2026:
India also stood out with five universities in the global top 100 for Employer Reputation and eight in the top 100 for Citations per Faculty, showing its rising impact on education and research.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the QS World University Rankings 2026 QS results a “matter of pride.” Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 played a key role in this rise.
Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director of QS, stated that India has seen a 390% growth in ranked universities over the last decade—a “historic moment” for the country.
The QS World University Rankings 2026 marks a turning point for Indian higher education. With a growing presence of both public and private institutions, a strong focus on research and global reputation, and increasing international engagement, India is rapidly becoming a major player in global education. These results not only reflect past efforts but also inspire future possibilities for Indian universities to lead on the world stage.
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Universities are ranked based on factors like academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, faculty-to-student ratio, international student and faculty presence, and sustainability.
Universities that offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, meet minimum data requirements, and have a sufficient number of graduates can be included in the rankings.
Data collection usually takes place between September 2024 and April 2025. It includes university surveys, research data, and institutional statistics.
Universities can improve by enhancing their research quality, building global partnerships, increasing student and faculty diversity, and improving their reputation among employers and academics.
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