Indian institutions in QS rankings rose from 11 to 52 since NIRF launch: Centre

India's higher education institutions saw a significant rise in global rankings, increasing from 11 to 52 in the QS World University Rankings from 2015 to 2027, according to the government's response in the Lok Sabha. This expansion coincides with the launch of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2015, which assesses institutions on key parameters like teaching, research, and inclusivity.

The number of institutions participating in NIRF also surged, with applications rising from 6,272 in 2021 to 14,163 in 2025, and unique participating institutions growing from 4,030 to 7,692 over the same period.

India's QS ranking performance demonstrated a more widespread improvement, with 26 institutions improving their positions, 9 remaining unchanged, and 15 declining. Two institutions made their debut in the rankings. Among the 52 global-ranked Indian institutions, 18 achieved their highest-ever rankings, including 13 non-IIT institutions.

Notable advancements include IIT Delhi, which climbed to 118th, IIT Bombay to 134th, IIT Madras to 170th, IIT Kharagpur to 205th, and IISc Bengaluru to 221st. Notable gains were also recorded by institutions like VIT, which rose 94 places to 597th, BITS Pilani to 575th, IIT Hyderabad gaining 76 places, Jamia Millia Islamia advancing more than 75 places to 686th, and Shoolini University rising 51 places to 452nd.

The government credited the broader improvement to NEP 2020 measures, such as multidisciplinary education, critical thinking, research, infrastructure, and teacher training, as well as initiatives like the Institutions of Eminence scheme, RUSA/PM-USHA support, and the expansion of premier institutions.