India’s Top IITs Slip in QS Asia Rankings 2026

On 4th November 2025, 2025, the QS Asia University Rankings 2026 revealed that nine of India’s top ten institutions, including seven IITs, witnessed a significant drop in rankings despite overall score improvements, as universities from China, Singapore, and other East Asian nations surged ahead.

Key Points

Steep Decline in Ranks: IIT Delhi retained its position as India’s top-ranked institution but slipped 15 spots to 59th place, marking its lowest position in recent years.
Sharp Fall for IIT Bombay: Once India’s best-ranked institution, IIT Bombay dropped by 23 ranks to 71 this year, down from 48 in 2025, reflecting increasing competition from East and Southeast Asia.
Other IITs Affected: IIT Madras (70), IIT Kanpur (77), IIT Kharagpur (77), IIT Roorkee (114), and IIT Guwahati (115) all recorded declines, with several reaching their lowest ranks in the past five years.
Private Institution Gains: Chandigarh University emerged as the only Indian institution among the top ten to improve its ranking, moving up to 109 from 120 last year, showcasing the growing prominence of private universities.
Regional Dominance: The top 10 Asian universities were dominated by institutions from Hong Kong, China, and Singapore, led by The University of Hong Kong (1), Peking University (2), and joint third-place holders National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.
Improved Scores, Lower Ranks: Despite overall score improvements, Indian institutions fell in rank due to stronger performances by counterparts in China, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore, particularly in research visibility and international engagement.