In the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, nine Indian institutions secured positions in the global top 50, showcasing academic prowess but also revealing areas needing improvement. While Indian universities expanded their footprint with 79 entries (up from 69 in 2024), several top institutes, including IIMs and JNU, saw ranking drops despite maintaining their top-50 status.
Top Performers
- Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad emerged as India’s highest-ranked institution, securing 20th position globally in Engineering – Mineral & Mining, a significant leap from 41st in 2024.
- IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay climbed the Engineering & Technology ladder to 26th and 28th globally, up from a shared 45th rank last year.
- IIT Madras debuted in the top 100 for Data Science & AI, alongside Vellore Institute of Technology.
| Institute | Global Rank | Subject |
| ISM Dhanbad | 20 | Engineering – Mineral & Mining |
| IIT Bombay | 28 | Engineering & Technology |
| IIT Delhi | 26 | Engineering & Technology |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 27 | Business & Management Studies |
- IIM Ahmedabad slipped from 22nd to 27th in Business & Management, while IIM Bangalore fell to 40th (from 32nd).
- JNU dropped marginally in Development Studies, and IIT Kharagpur slid to 45th in Mining Engineering.
India now ranks 4th globally in Computer Science & Information Systems, with 42 entries (up from 28 in 2024). Institutes like IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay also broke into the top 50 for Electrical & Electronic Engineering, highlighting strides in tech education. However, experts flagged gaps in sustainability research and entrepreneurship training compared to global peers.
- 533 Indian entries across 55 subjects marked a 25.7% YoY increase, with 156 institutes improving rankings.
- IISc Bangalore and IIT Kanpur debuted in Engineering – Mineral & Mining, while OP Jindal University retained its #1 spot in India for Law.
Despite progress, India’s higher education sector faces hurdles:
- Consistency: Top institutes like IIMs and JNU slipped ranks due to lower employer reputation scores.
- Faculty-Student Ratio: Indian universities lag behind global averages, affecting research output.
- Diversification: Limited presence in Life Sciences and Social Sciences, with AIIMS being the sole Indian institute in Medicine (ranked 226th).
The QS Rankings 2025 underscore India’s growing influence in technical education but also call for strategic investments in faculty, research diversity, and industry partnerships to sustain global competitiveness.
Key Highlights:
- Nine Indian institutes secured top-50 spots in QS Rankings 2025, led by ISM Dhanbad (20th in Mining Engineering).
- IIT Delhi and Bombay surged in Engineering & Technology, while IIMs and JNU saw ranking drops.
- India ranks 4th globally in Computer Science but lags in Life Sciences and faculty-student ratios.
- 79 Indian universities featured in total, with 533 entries across subjects—a 25.7% increase from 2024.