India has increased its presence in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with 52 universities making the list, up from 14 institutions a decade ago, according to rankings released by QS Quacquarelli Symonds.

More than half of the previously ranked Indian universities improved their positions this year, while 18 institutions achieved their highest-ever rankings. India is now the fifth most represented higher education system globally in the rankings.

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) remained the country’s highest-ranked institution, rising to 118th place globally and matching the highest rank ever achieved by an Indian university in the QS rankings. IIT Bombay ranked 134th, followed by IIT Madras at 170th.

According to the rankings, 26 Indian universities improved their positions, nine remained unchanged, 15 declined and two entered the rankings for the first time. Bharathiar University and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad were the new entrants.

India also placed 11 universities among the world’s top 100 for research impact, measured through citations per faculty, and six institutions among the top 100 for employer reputation.

Among the notable movers, Vellore Institute of Technology climbed 94 places to 597th globally, while Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani rose 93 places to 575th. IIT Hyderabad, Jamia Millia Islamia, Chandigarh University and Shoolini University also recorded significant gains.

QS said ranked Indian universities are now spread across 19 states and union territories, compared with nine a decade ago, indicating wider geographic representation in global rankings.

The rankings also highlighted strong performance in research impact, employer reputation and graduate outcomes. The University of Mumbai rose 70 places to rank 25th globally for employment outcomes.

However, QS noted that international faculty recruitment, international student enrolment and global academic reputation remain areas where Indian institutions continue to lag behind leading global higher education systems.

The QS World University Rankings 2027 evaluated more than 1,500 institutions across 106 countries and territories. India recorded one of the highest rates of institutional improvement among major higher education systems, with 52 per cent of its ranked universities improving their positions this year.

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