Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded India’s unprecedented performance in the QS World University Rankings 2026, calling it a “great news for the education sector” and a reflection of the government’s commitment to fostering research, innovation, and opportunities for the country’s youth.
In a post on X, PM Modi stated, “The QS World University 2026 Rankings bring great news for our education sector. Our Government is committed to furthering research and innovation ecosystems for the benefit of India’s youth.”
India has seen a five-fold rise in the number of institutions featured in the rankings, going from just 11 universities in 2014 to 54 institutions in 2026 — marking a 390% increase and the fastest growth among G20 nations.
Reposting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s remarks, PM Modi echoed the sentiment that the rise is a result of the transformational reforms undertaken by his government over the past decade, particularly under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Minister Pradhan noted, “With a record 54 HEIs featuring among the global best, India hits a new high in the QS World University 2026 Rankings… This five-fold jump is a testament to the transformative educational reforms ushered in by the PM Narendra Modi government.”
According to the latest rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), IIT Delhi has emerged as India’s top-ranked institution, jumping 27 places to reach 123rd globally. IIT Bombay and IIT Madras followed closely at 129th and 180th, respectively, with IIT Madras entering the global top 200 for the first time.
The QS rankings evaluated over 1,500 universities across 106 countries, placing India as the fourth most represented country, following the United States (192), United Kingdom (90), and China (72).
With its robust representation and improving global stature, India’s higher education landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, positioning the country as a growing hub of academic excellence on the global stage.