The QS World University Rankings 2026, released on Thursday by global higher education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), feature more than 1,500 universities from over 100 countries, with notable shifts in global academic standings. While the United States continues to lead, institutions from Asia and Europe, including India, have demonstrated measurable progress.

'Great News For Education Sector': PM Modi On QS World University Rankings 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reacting to the rankings on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), said, "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.”

In 2014, only 11 universities from India found a spot in the list. However, currently 54 universities have been featured in the latest rankings. 

Top South Indian Universities In QS 2026 Rankings

India had a strong showing, particularly from South Indian institutions, with over 15 colleges from the region making it to the global list. Here’s how some of them fared:

• IIT Madras ranked 180 (climbed from 227)
• IISc Bangalore ranked 219 (slipped slightly from 211)
• Anna University ranked 465 (declined from 383)
• IIT Hyderabad ranked 664 (up from 681–690)
• Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) ranked 691 (significantly improved from 791–800)
• NIT Tiruchirappalli ranked 731–740 (slightly down from 701–710)
  

  Other South Indian Institutions In The Rankings

• University of Hyderabad: 801–850 (same as last year)
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education: 851–900 (up from 901–950)
• Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai: 901–950 (up from 951–1000)
• SRM Institute of Science and Technology: 1001–1200
• Osmania University, Hyderabad: 1201–1400
• Pondicherry University: 1201–1400
• Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology: 1201–1400
• Shiv Nadar University (near Chennai): 1201–1400
• CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru: 1401+

The rankings assess universities across key indicators including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, international faculty and student ratios, citations per faculty, and international research network.