QS World University Rankings: IIT Delhi ranked 1st among Indian varsities
IIT Delhi has climbed over 70 places in the last two years, ranking 123rd this year compared with 197th in 2024 based on employer reputation, citations, sustainability, and academic reputation
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has been ranked first among Indian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It overall rose in the rankings to 123 from 150 in 2025. Delhi University (DU) has been ranked seventh among the top 10 Indian universities.
IIT Delhi has climbed over 70 places in the last two years, ranking 123rd this year compared with 197th in 2024 based on employer reputation, citations, sustainability, and academic reputation.
Five Indian institutions featured in the global top 100 in the indicator category of employer reputation. IIT Delhi has secured the top position among Indian universities and the 50th globally. It secured a global rank of 86 in the citations per faculty category. In sustainability and academic reputation, IIT Delhi has secured a global rank of 172 and 142. DU secured an overall global rank of 328, the same as last year.
In employment outcomes, despite India having the 11th lowest average score in this indicator, two Indian universities are in the top 100. DU is one of the universities. Jamia Millia Islamia has been ranked 761-770, compared to 851-900 in 2025.
An official from DU said on Thursday that the university has maintained a strong global position in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
“In employment outcomes, DU has climbed 14 places as compared to last year and has reached the 30th position in the world. With this, DU ranks first in this category among Indian institutions. The significant improvement in the overall score underlines the growing academic excellence and global reputation of DU,” DU vice chancellor Yogesh Singh said.
“Our faculty, researchers, and students are at the forefront of this transformation, consistently delivering innovation, high-impact research, and international engagement. This milestone is both a recognition of our ongoing progress and a catalyst for aiming even higher in the years ahead,” Singh added.
India’s top two highest-ranking institutions performed better than over 91% of institutions featured in the 2026 rankings. Eight new Indian institutions were added to the ranking this year. India has 54 institutions in the rankings, making it the fourth most represented country.
