India has recorded its strongest showing in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with 54 universities featured on the global list. The country's presence has expanded dramatically over the past decade, rising from just 24 institutions in 2016 to 294 in 2026. This growth makes India the second-most represented country in Asia and fourth globally, trailing only the United States, United Kingdom, and China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attributed this success to transformative government policies, particularly the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy's emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, internationalisation, and innovation has been credited as a major driver. Seven Indian institutions now rank among Asia's top 100, with IIT Delhi leading at 59th position. India also demonstrated research strength, placing five institutions in Asia's top 10 for papers-per-faculty metrics. This milestone underscores India's emergence as a global knowledge hub.
Policy Reforms and Global Recognition Drive Academic Growth
Government leaders praised the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as the foundation for India's improved rankings. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the administration's dedication to research and highlighted NEP 2020's focus on interdisciplinarity, internationalisation, and innovation as key factors. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan pointed out that India's education system is now the fastest-growing among G20 nations. QS CEO Jessica Turner recognized the positive impact of NEP but stressed the need for stronger international collaborations and curriculum modernization. While some IITs saw rank declines due to competition from other Asian institutions, experts affirm that Indian universities remain globally competitive. The dramatic rise in representation reflects sustained investment and reform efforts positioning India as an emerging knowledge powerhouse on the world stage.
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